Bringing cheer to Indians, Germany has relaxed its Schengen visa appointment rules, centralizing its short-term visa processing at its center in Mumbai.
“As a result of centralisation of Schengen visa (short term visa) processing in German Visa Centre Mumbai, we are pleased to inform about… relaxation regarding appointment bookings,” the German embassy said in a statement. A short-stay Schengen visa allows one to visit Germany and other Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days within 180 days.
This visa is issued as a sticker affixed to the traveller’s passport. “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,” the Mission statement read. “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,” it added.
The embassy stated that the relaxation does not apply to applications for national visas (D-visa category) such as student, employment, or family reunion visas.
A Schengen visa application form may be submitted three months before the intended travel date. The German Schengen Visa costs 80 euros (Rs 6,700) for adults and 40 euros for minors, while work permits (or visas) cost 75 euros.
The Visa fee is waived for children under six years of age.
Earlier this year, the German National Tourist Office (GNTO) observed a 214 percent year-on-year increase in Indian tourists arriving in Germany. It said that the country accounted for 9 percent of European trips to Indians, adding that 55 percent of Indians visit Germany for leisure while 38 percent travel for business.
