Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) Visa
Germany visa checklist
Everything the Germany consulate typically asks for on a short-stay (Type C) application, in one place — cross-check it against the official page before your appointment.
Not authoritative — verify before you rely on it. General guidance only — always verify current requirements against the official VFS Germany / German Missions in India visa page before your appointment. Requirements and fees change without notice.
Last checked: 2026-07-01
Where to apply
VFS Global (Germany Visa Application Centre)
Documents
Original passport + photocopy of first/last page
Valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended departure from the Schengen area, issued within the last 10 years, with at least 2 blank visa pages.
Previous passport(s), if any
Include any old passports showing prior Schengen or other visa history.
Cover letter
Explains purpose of visit, itinerary, funding, and ties to India. SchengenKit's cover-letter tool generates a first draft from your details.
Round-trip flight reservation (not necessarily a paid ticket)
A confirmed reservation showing entry/exit dates is normally sufficient — most consulates do not require a fully paid ticket.
Proof of accommodation for every night of the trip
Hotel bookings or an invitation letter covering every night. SchengenKit's itinerary builder links each night to free-cancellation hotel search so you never pre-pay for a booking you might not need.
Employment proof
Employment/leave letter (or NOC) on company letterhead, or business registration documents if self-employed.
VFS/biometric appointment confirmation
Print your appointment confirmation. We do not sell, resell, or alert on VFS appointment slots — book directly on the official VFS Germany portal.
Forms
Completed Schengen visa application form
Signed, with answers matching your passport and supporting documents exactly.
Declaration of Authenticity
A signed declaration form specific to the German visa application confirming the truthfulness of submitted information.
Photo
Recent passport-size photograph(s)
See photo specification below — a mismatched photo is one of the most common rejection reasons.
Financial proof
Bank statements (last 3–6 months)
Personal or salary account statements showing consistent balance and activity.
Income Tax Returns (last 2–3 years)
ITR acknowledgement/computation for self-employed or salaried applicants.
Insurance
Travel/medical insurance
Minimum €30,000 coverage, valid across the entire Schengen area for the full duration of the trip, including repatriation. We link out to IRDAI-licensed insurance aggregators for comparison — we do not sell or advise on insurance.
Financial threshold
Proof of sufficient funds for the trip duration, typically assessed per day of stay
Historically referenced around €45/day for tourist visits (varies by trip type and has changed over time) — verify the current figure on the official VFS Germany / German Missions India page before applying.
Photo specification
35mm × 45mm (biometric passport photo format)
Plain light/white background, neutral facial expression, no glasses glare
Taken within the last 6 months; two identical copies are commonly required in addition to the digital upload.
Format quirks to watch for
- Documents in a language other than English/German may require certified German translation.
- VFS Germany typically requires documents submitted in a specific stacking order — check the current checklist PDF on the VFS portal on submission day.
- Financial sponsor cases need an additional sponsorship/obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung) from the sponsor's local immigration office in Germany.
Applying from a specific city?
Local jurisdiction and the nearest VFS centre can differ slightly by region.
Ready to plan the trip itself?
Build a day-by-day itinerary with refundable hotel search links for every night, then draft a cover letter that matches it.