Documents for Schengen visa Germany
All information about the documents and the form of the documents when applying for a Schengen visa for Germany.
Here you learn ...
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
Table of Content
1. Documents for Schengen visa
2. Which documents are required for a Schengen visa?
3. Form of documents for Schengen visa
4. Submit documents
5. Conclusion Documents Schengen visa
1. Documents for Schengen visa
Anyone wishing to apply for a Schengen visa to enter Germany or another Schengen country must submit numerous documents in order to fulfill the legal requirements for visa issuance (see Article 10 ff. of the Visa Code ). The specific evidence 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 foreign missions require additional or specially designed proof. In any case, it is crucial that the documents submitted clearly prove 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-specific differences exist regarding the exact format 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.
CONTACT US
Are you looking for a lawyer in German immigration and foreigners law? We are happy to support you in residence procedures before embassies, immigration authorities and administrative courts.
Contact us to book a video call consultation with a German immigration lawyer!
VISAGUARD.Berlin Legal Services
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 stipulates the form in which evidence must be submitted. Rather, the following applies: The documents submitted must be credible, verifiable, and meaningful. It is therefore at the discretion of the responsible foreign mission to determine which formal requirements are to be imposed 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 can, 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
When applying for a Schengen visa, it often happens that foreign diplomatic missions refuse to accept visa applications, stating that the application is incomplete . 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 obliged 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 if documents are supposedly missing, the authority must therefore 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.
Summary of this Page
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 caseworker 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, especially 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 on the authenticity of documents and the consistency of information are implemented. Any discrepancies or deficiencies in the application can have serious consequences. Embassy staff tend to reject applications outright when in doubt. This kind of deadlock is difficult to break and often requires legal clarification. The support of a visa lawyer is often essential, especially if a judicial review of the rejection decision becomes necessary.
