Germany Business Visa - Definitive Guide

The Germany business from India is provided to those visitors who are visiting the country for business purpose. However, it needs to be understood that Germany is a Schengen country, and hence it requires a Schengen visa. The Germany Schengen visa is a kind of visa which is issued from Germany embassy that allows the traveler to explore 26 Schengen countries. Similarly, Germany requires the visitor to obtain a Schengen business visa. The Germany business visa from India is categorized based on the duration, as given below. 

Note that even if you have a long validity and multiple entries, your cumulative stay of all the visits to the country must not be longer than 90 days in a 180-day period. 

The application form for the Germany business visa must be filled online. However, the submission of the forms and documents has to be made offline at an outsourced Visa Application Center (VAC) or at a German mission as per the jurisdiction. The procedure can be described as follows -

 Obtain the necessary documents for the business visa.

• Visit the German embassy website, and fill in the Schengen visa application form online. Take a print out of the form, as well as sign any required declarations. Note that the application form is the same for all types of Schengen. You will simply have to mention your purpose of visit as ‘business’
• Proceed to schedule your appointment at a VAC or German Mission according to the respective jurisdiction. You can do this online, or by contacting them via call. 
• You should then visit the appointment centre with the application form, fees, and the documents required. 
• You will be subjected to a biometric at the centre if you have not submitted a biometric for a Schengen in the past 5 years. Keep in mind that if your appointment is at a German Mission, you will have to pay the fees in the form of a demand draft. 

It is very essential to make sure that the processes are completed properly, and that only original documents are submitted. Any errors or incomplete applications may lead to one receiving the visa late, or even getting a visa rejection.

It is therefore vital to use the services of visa agencies for the process.BTW has been providing a reliable visa service provider for the past few years. We have built a large network of clients, opting us to get the visa procedure done through crystal clear transparency.  

The below guidelines will help you in understanding the eligibility for the Schengen business visa. 

• You must be present within India if you are applying from India. If you are an Indian resident in another country, you may be able to apply for the visa in that country itself. 
• You must possess an Indian passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel, 
• Your primary motive behind the visit must be to take part in business meetings, conferences, trade fairs, and other business-related activities.  
• You must be invited by a German organization or company to perform business in the country.
• You must possess sufficient funds to cover your stay in the country.
• You can apply for the permit if -
  1. Germany is your only travel destination, or
  2. Germany is one of your multiple Schengen destinations -  in which case you will be spending the majority of your travel period in Germany, or, Germany is your port of entry.

The Germany business visa requirements for Indian citizens are categorized after considering the applicant’s status. The below categories can help you understand the documents as per Germany visa requirements.

• A valid passport
• 2 valid photographs
• Covering letter from the Indian company/organization 
• Travel itinerary for the business trip 
• Proof of accommodation
• Confirmed round flight tickets
• Invitation letter from the German company/organization in Deutsch. 
• Travel insurance covering expenses up to 30000 Euros
• Proof of sufficient funds to show that you can cover your expenses in Germany.

The Germany business visa photo specification is given below -

• Photograph size: 35mm X 45mm
• Height from top to bottom of the face: 32- 36mm.
• The photograph should be centrally aligned. 
• The photo must be clearly visible. 
• No edits will be allowed. 
• The photograph must be recently clicked.

The total processing time required for the Germany business visa entirely depends on the number of entries, the validity, volume of applications at the embassy, as well as your previous travel history. 

• The estimated time to obtain the Schengen business visa for Germany could be at least 15 working days. The time may vary depending upon the embassy verification. 
• To avoid any delay in the visa processing, one must properly fill the application form without any major flaws and submit the three months prior. 

The Germany tourist visa fee varies based on several factors. Some of it includes the urgency/express processing or delivery fees, biometric charges and other service charges applicable. It is necessary to confirm the charges from the Germany embassy website, before applying.

While your business visa application is being processed, you may track the status by visiting the website of the VAC and entering your reference number and date of birth. Alternately, you may contact the visa agency you have applied through. You may also opt for SMS notification of your status provided by the VAC. 

Once you obtain this business permit, you must keep in mind the following points - 

• Make a note of the visa expiry date, and the number of entries. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• Always carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents with you while you are travelling within the country. You must carry your passport and visa if you are travelling to other Schengen countries. 
• While you are on a business permit, you cannot work on the payroll of a German company or establishment. 
• You cannot extend the permit unless in extreme unforeseeable circumstances such as a force majeure, unfavourable situation in the home country, etc. 
• You must strictly abide by the German laws and rules.