Is There a Germany eVisa for Indians? How Applying Online Works

This explainer follows German Missions in India and the VFS Global Germany pages, as published on the official sources, checked on 2026-10-15. German Missions state that Indian citizens require a visa for Germany, so it must be obtained before travel; there is no visa on arrival.

What can you do online for a German Schengen visa?

The short-stay Schengen (C) visa, for up to 90 days, has three online stages:

• The application form. You complete the VIDEX form online, then print and submit all pages, including the barcodes, with a signed declaration of true and complete information and a signed declaration on travel medical insurance.
• The appointment. You book at a VFS Global centre online and pre-pay the VFS service fee of INR 1,933 (including GST) at the time of booking. You can submit at any VFS centre in India regardless of where you live, and every file is forwarded to the German Consulate General in Mumbai for a decision.
• Tracking. You follow the application on the VFS website. Written inquiries are answered only after the 15-day regular processing period.

For short-notice business trips there are 'urgent business' and 'urgent trade fair' appointment categories, at no extra charge, if the journey starts within four weeks of the appointment. They give you an earlier slot, not faster processing.

What still has to happen in person?

All Schengen applicants in India appear in person at VFS to give fingerprints and a photo. If your fingerprints were collected within the previous 59 months they can be copied, and a representative with an authorisation letter may then submit for you. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting.

The visa fee is paid at the appointment, not online: 90 EUR / 9,900 INR for adults and 45 EUR / 5,000 INR for children aged 6 to 12, according to the German Missions' fee page dated 01.10.2026 (the INR amount is subject to change). The fee is not refunded if the visa is rejected. The visa section may request more documents or call you for an interview, and passports are returned only via VFS.

How does the Consular Services Portal work for national visas?

National (D) visas cover stays over 90 days, such as study, the EU Blue Card, skilled work, the Opportunity Card and family reunion. Online application through the Consular Services Portal became available worldwide on 1 January 2025, and German Missions in India make it compulsory for every visa type offered there.

1. Complete the portal questionnaire, choosing your country of residence rather than your citizenship.
2. Upload documents according to the mission's checklist for your category.
3. At the end you receive a link to book the on-site appointment. Booking without a completed portal pre-check is not accepted.
4. Attend the appointment at a VFS centre or the mission itself, within the jurisdiction of your place of residence, with originals or copies certified by a German authority. Indian notarised copies are not accepted.

The national visa fee is 75 EUR / 8,300 INR for adults (37,50 EUR / 4,200 INR under 18), payable in INR at the exchange rate on the appointment day and not reimbursed if refused. When the appointment is at VFS, VFS adds a service fee of INR 1,024 and a D-visa logistic fee of INR 1,420.

Which national visas are still paper applications?

Some long-stay categories are not available in the Consular Services Portal. For these you book a paper application through VFS for the location responsible for your residence:

• Researcher or guest scientist
• Seconded staff (ICT Card)
• Recognition of professional qualification, used for example by nurses and care workers
• Self-employment and freelancers
• Specialty cook
• Seafarer
• Au pair
• Voluntary service
• Intensive language course not linked to future studies or training

Do you need an agent or a paid website to apply online?

No. German Missions in India state that it is not necessary to use an agent; all necessary forms and information are free of charge. The German Consulate strongly warns applicants who use visa agents to prepare applications or book appointments: the agent's misconduct is the applicant's responsibility and may invalidate bookings or lead to refusal. Book VFS slots and fill the VIDEX form or portal yourself.

Two 2026 changes also reduce paperwork at the airport. Since 3 June 2026, Indian nationals no longer need an airport transit visa for a layover at a German airport when travelling on to another country. And the EU Entry/Exit System, fully operational from 10 April 2026, registers short-stay visitors' fingerprints and facial image at the Schengen border instead of stamping passports.

For categories, fees and checklists, see our Germany visa guide for Indians.

Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares the travel documents a German Schengen file asks for: flight reservation, hotel booking, itinerary and covering letter. Packages run from INR 1,000 (flight reservation) to INR 3,000 (all four). WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or reach us via our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Consular Services Portal an eVisa?

No. The portal replaces the paper application form and document pre-check for national visas, but you still attend an on-site appointment with your passport, and the passport is returned with the decision.

Which German mission handles my national visa appointment?

It depends on your state. For example, the Consulate General in Bengaluru covers Karnataka and Kerala, Chennai covers Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Puducherry, Mumbai covers Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, and Kolkata covers West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and the North-Eastern states other than Sikkim.

I am Indian but live in Dubai. Can I use the German portal?

Yes, for national visas, but choose your country of residence, not your citizenship, in the Consular Services Portal; an Indian living in Dubai picks United Arab Emirates. For Schengen visas, non-residents may apply in India only if lawfully present and able to justify not applying in their country of residence.

How long does a German Schengen visa take after the VFS appointment?

VFS states 15 working days from the day the file arrives at the visa section, excluding the day of submission; transfer from VFS to the Consulate can take up to six working days. Apply no later than 15 working days before travel.