India will benefit from Germany’s relaxation of its rules for Schengen visa appointments and the nation’s centralization of the processing of short-term visas at a VFS Global facility in Mumbai.
The German embassy in a statement noted, “As a result of centralisation of Schengen visa (short term visa) processing in German Visa Centre Mumbai, we are pleased to inform you about… relaxation regarding appointment bookings”.
With a short-stay Schengen visa, you are able to travel to Germany and other Schengen nations for up to 90 days out of every 180. This visa is given to the traveller in the form of a sticker that is placed on their passport.
The Mission statement read, “Appointments can be booked and Schengen visa applications can be submitted in all Visa Application Centres run by VFS Global all over India, regardless of your place of residence”.
It also said, “If the Application Centre closest to your home town is already fully booked, please feel free to check for available appointment slots in one of the other major Indian cities.”
However, the embassy added that the relaxation does not apply to requests for national visas (D-visa category), such as student, job, or family reunion visas.
At least three months prior to departure is the earliest date that a Schengen visa application can be submitted. Also necessary is the submission of all essential paperwork by applicants.
A valid passport that is valid for at least three more months beyond the intended stay in the Schengen area is required of anyone applying for a German student visa, together with the visa application form, two recent pictures, and other required documentation.
In addition to the above-mentioned documents, all applicants must additionally include proof of health insurance purchase, a roundtrip itinerary reservation, proof of financial capability, proof of lodging, and an invitation letter with their application.
The cost of a work permit (or visa) is 75 euros, while the cost of a German Schengen visa is 80 euros (about Rs 6,700) for adults and 40 euros for youngsters. Under-six-year-olds are exempt from paying the visa fee.
The Indian visitor arrivals to Germany increased by 214 per cent year over year earlier this year, according to the German National Tourist Office (GNTO). According to the report, Germany hosted 9 per cent of Indian tourists who travelled to Europe. Of these, 55 per cent went there for pleasure and 38 per cent went there for business.
