The German authorities have announced that nationals of India will now be subject to more relaxed rules when applying for a tourist visa as the processing of the Schengen short-term visas has been centralised in the German Visa Centre Mumbai.
According to the German Missions in India, appointments can be booked as well as Schengen visa applications can be submitted in all Visa Application Centres all over the country run by VFS global, regardless of the applicants’ place of residence.
In addition, the same noted that if an applications centre that is closest to the home town of applicants is fully booked, they can check other in other Indian major cities for available appointment slots, making it easier for everyone to book an appointment.
“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. 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,” the statement of the German Missions in India reads.
It has been stressed that the relaxation of rules does not apply to Indians applying for national visas, such as employment, student, or family reunification visas.
All nationals of India need to obtain a visa in order to be permitted entry to Germany for travel purposes as the country has not reached a visa-liberalisation agreement or any other bilateral agreement that would allow its citizens to enter Germany visa-free.
A Schengen visa permits its holders to travel to any member state of the Schengen area for stays of up to 90 days within a period of 180 days for tourism as well as business purposes.
The application for a Schengen visa can be submitted three months before taking a trip at the earliest and the applicants must submit all the required documents.
Those applying for a German student visa must submit the visa application form which must include current information, two recent photos, as well as a valid passport, which must be valid for another three months beyond the planned stay in Schengen.
Apart from the documents mentioned above, all applicants must also submit in their application evidence of purchasing health insurance, roundtrip itinerary reservation, proof of financial means, proof of accommodation, and an invitation letter.
Depending on the employment status, applicants might be asked for additional documents too.
