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* Price shown is for a 30 day trip to Germany with 50,000 dollar coverage for an adult of age 25 years
One of the largest European countries, Germany is a market leader in the automotive industry and famous for other sectors, including chemical & electrical industries, mechanical engineering, IT, healthcare, etc. Hence, if you are an Indian planning to move to Germany for work, you must obtain a work visa for Germany.
The Germany work visa allows you to either pursue employment or business in Germany once you meet the visa requirements. Before we get into the details of the Germany work visa application process, let's have a look at the facts about the country.
Key Facts | Information |
Capital | Berlin |
Currency | Euro (1 EUR = INR 92.26) |
Language | German, English |
Time Zone | Central European Summer Time (GMT +2) |
Best Cities to Work/ Live | Hamburg, Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, etc. |
Prominent Sectors/ Industries | Engineers, IT Professionals, Physicians, Nursing professionals, Scientists, etc. |
Validity Period | Schengen Visa (short-term stay): Up to 90 days German National Visa (long-term stay): More than 90 days. In certain cases, up to 1 year |
German Visa Standard Processing Time | Schengen Visa (short-term stay): 15 working days German National Visa (long-term stay): up to 4-12 weeks (depending on the visa type) |
Here is a general checklist of documents required to submit during the Germany work visa application process. You must check your documents list as per your preferred visa type, i.e., either for short-term (i.e. business) or long-term stay (i.e. employment/ work).
2 copies of duly filled and signed VIDEX application form for your preferred visa type, i.e., business and work type visa.
As per biometric specifications:
You must present at least EUR 1,160 per month (before taxes) as proof of sufficient funds. The source could be one of the following:
A sponsor letter and other related documents are required if you are sponsored by any one of the third parties, namely:
Duly filled in Annexure of Employment Visa
Valid employment contract from a registered company in Germany.
A copy of the CV and other relevant documents submitted during the application.
Rental proof of holiday home, campus residence, private accommodation, hotel reservations, etc.
Get your travel health insurance from one of the approved Indian travel insurance companies.
The letter must be provided to you by your respective company/ employer.
There are two types of Germany work visas. They are:
Type | Description | Maximum duration of permitted stay |
Schengen Visa/ C Visa (short-term stay) | Foreign nationals who intend to pursue a business in Germany | Up to 90 days |
German National Visa/ D Visa (long-term stay) | Foreign nationals who possess a valid job offer/ intend to work in Germany | More than 90 days. In certain cases, up to 1 year |
You can apply for a Germany Work Visa from India directly through the German Mission in India or the VFS Global Centre. The application procedure is similar for both short and long-term visa types.
Ensure you choose the correct visa type that aligns with your purpose of visiting Germany. For instance, the 'Schengen or C visa' type is for the purpose of business and the 'National or D visa' type is for employment/work. If you are applying for a National Visa, you will be called for a personal interview at the German Embassy.
Collate all the documents as listed in the checklist of employment visa (D-visa type) and business visa (Schengen visa, i.e. C-visa type).
You must register your account on the VFS Global Portal, fill in the details, and then proceed to schedule your appointment online (Note: You can also visit the centre or avail of the VFS doorstep services). Also, if the applicable visa fee has not been paid already, you should pay it at the time of the appointment. Keep the payment receipt with you for future perusal.
On the day of your appointment, bring a copy of the visa application form and the checklist along with other supporting documents. It is recommended that you reach the centre at least 15 minutes before your appointment.
To complete the visa application process, you will need to complete your biometric enrollment procedure. Keep a note of the reference number generated to track your application.
Once you have successfully submitted your application, wait for it to be processed. Processing times may vary depending on your preferred visa type.
To successfully apply for a Germany work visa, you will have to pay certain fees. They are:
Visa Type | Fee |
Schengen Visa/ C Visa (Short-term Stay) | EUR 90 (INR 8,297) Additional charge: VFS Service Fee: INR 1,722 |
German National Visa/ D Visa (Long-term Stay) | EUR 75.68 (INR 6,977) Additional Charges: VFS Service Fee: INR 912 D-Visa Logistic Fee: INR 1,265 |
You will receive an update via email or via SMS (if availed) stating the decision of the VFS Application Centre.
If you want to track your Germany work visa application status online. Follow the steps mentioned below:
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* Price shown is for a 30 day trip to Germany with 50,000 dollar coverage for an adult of age 25 years