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Documents for Schengen visa Germany
All information about the documents and the format of the documents when applying for a Schengen visa for Germany.
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which documents are required for a Schengen visa
what form the documents for a Schengen visa must have
What you should consider when submitting the documents
how documents can be submitted without an embassy appointment
1. Documents for Schengen visa
2. Which documents are required for a Schengen visa?
3. Form of documents for Schengen visa
4. Submit documents later
5. FAQ
6. Conclusion Documents Schengen visa
1. Documents for Schengen visa
Anyone wishing to apply for a Schengen visa for entry to Germany or another Schengen state must submit numerous documents in order to meet the legal requirements for visa issuance (see Articles 10 et seq. of the Visa Code ). The specific proof required always depends on the individual purpose of the stay —for example, whether it is a tourist stay, a family visit, or a business trip. Furthermore, the visa policy requirements of the country of origin also play an important role, as individual diplomatic missions abroad require additional or specially designed proof. In any case, it is crucial that the submitted documents clearly demonstrate the purpose of the trip and convincingly document the willingness to return.
Although the EU Visa Code provides the general framework, in practice , country- and purpose-dependent differences exist regarding the exact form and type of documents to be submitted. It is therefore essential to find out in advance about the specific requirements of the responsible German embassy or consulate in the respective country. In this article, you will learn everything about the documents required for a Schengen visa and the necessary format.
2. Which documents are required for a Schengen visa?
You can usually find out which documents are required for your Schengen visa application on the website of your local embassy . The more closely you follow the instructions on the embassy's website, the more likely you are to have your application processed and approved quickly. Generally, at least the following documents are required for a Schengen visa:
valid passport
Copy of the passport data page
ID card and proof of residence (for third-country nationals: proof of residence permit)
biometric passport photo
booked return ticket
Travel health insurance
Invitation letter (or other proof of the purpose of the trip)
Hotel reservation (or other proof of accommodation)
Proof of financial resources (or declaration of commitment)
Employment contract (or other proof of willingness to return)
The VIDEX application can be found on the Federal Foreign Office website . The application must be completed, printed, and signed, and then presented at the visa appointment.
3. Form of documents for Schengen visa
When applying for a Schengen visa, the form of the documents to be submitted is not legally prescribed . Neither the Visa Code (Regulation (EC) No. 810/2009) nor national residence law stipulate the form of evidence to be submitted. Rather, the following applies: The documents submitted must be credible, verifiable, and meaningful. Therefore, it is at the discretion of the responsible foreign mission to determine which formal requirements apply in a specific case. Embassies can therefore waive formal requirements and accept simple, unsigned copies or electronic documents if they consider them sufficient.
On the other hand, the authorities are free to apply stricter standards if they have doubts about the plausibility or authenticity of the information . In such cases, they may, for example, require certified documents, translations by sworn translators, or even an apostille in accordance with the Hague Convention. In most cases, the form of the documents depends on the country in which the Schengen visa is applied for. In Western countries (e.g., the USA and Great Britain), the authorities generally have very low requirements, whereas in most African and Asian countries they are very strict. Even the smallest errors or inconsistencies in the documents can trigger a negative response from the embassy.
4. Submit documents later
When applying for a Schengen visa, it frequently happens that foreign diplomatic missions refuse to accept visa applications, citing incomplete applications . However, this is not legally tenable. According to German administrative procedural law – specifically , Section 24, Paragraph 3 of the Administrative Procedure Act (VwVfG ) – an authority is obligated to accept applications that fall within its area of responsibility. It may not refuse to do so on the grounds that the application is inadmissible or unfounded. Even in cases where documents are allegedly missing, the authority must first accept the application and clarify the facts. The blanket rejection of incomplete applications therefore contradicts applicable procedural law.
Visa applicants should therefore not be intimidated and, if in doubt , insist that their application be accepted despite (supposed) incompleteness . If individual documents are missing, they can easily be submitted later – ideally promptly by mail or email. Since the visa appointment will then have already taken place, applicants can avoid the often weeks-long wait for a new appointment. In many cases, the embassy can then complete the review after receiving the missing documents and issue the visa without a further appointment. This procedure is not only more efficient but also legally permissible and covered by German administrative practice.
5. FAQ
In what form must the documents be submitted with the visa application?
There is no legally prescribed form. The diplomatic mission decides on a case-by-case basis whether simple copies, electronic documents, or originals are required. If there is doubt about authenticity, it may request certified copies, sworn translations, or an apostille.
What should I do if documents are missing from my visa application?
The embassy is obligated to accept incomplete applications. Missing documents can be submitted later, ideally promptly by email or mail. The applicant does not need to make a new appointment.
How do I find out which documents I need in a specific case?
The relevant German diplomatic missions abroad provide country-specific checklists on their websites. These should be carefully observed, as even minor deviations can lead to a visa application being rejected.
Can I submit the documents later without an appointment?
Yes, this is generally possible. After the original visa appointment has taken place, most embassies accept missing documents by email or mail. This saves time by avoiding the need to reschedule.
6. Conclusion
Which documents are required for a Schengen visa depends on the individual case (particularly the purpose of the trip and the country in which the application is submitted). While the required documents are often similar, it is usually up to the case officer to decide which documents are necessary to review the application. When applying for a visa, it is therefore crucial that the application appears plausible and therefore credible. Embassies examine applications extremely thoroughly, particularly for Schengen visas , which are often used as a means of illegal immigration. This is especially true in Asian and African countries, where strict controls and a strong focus are placed on the authenticity of documents and the consistency of information. Any contradictions or deficiencies in the application can have serious consequences. Embassy staff tend to issue a complete rejection when in doubt. Such a blockade is difficult to break and in many cases requires legal clarification. The support of a visa lawyer is often essential in this case, especially if a judicial review of the rejection decision becomes necessary.
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List of Sources (Paywall)
[1] Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code)
[2] Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985 between the Governments of the States of the Benelux Economic Union, the Federal Republic of Germany and the French Republic on the gradual abolition of checks at their common borders of 19 June 1990 (Schengen Implementing Convention)