Schengen visas allow people to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days every six-month period.
As a German Embassy we are responsible for processing your application if Germany is your main destination.

1. Preparing your application

Please prepare your application as follows:

• Please fill out the online VIDEX visa application form- (kindly take note that you can choose different languages. Please scroll down at right top corner) or download the application form. This can also be done on the TLS website.
• Please compile the documents you need to submit with your application. The relevant documentation checklists for all travel purposes can be found below or on the TLS website. Submission of incomplete applications/documentation can result in a refusal.
• Please schedule an appointment with our service provider TLScontact

Data protection
List of approved Schengen insurances.

• Checklist for filing your BUSINESS application (NOT for Trade Fairs)
• Checklist for filing your Medical Visa application
• Checklist for filing your TOURISM application (NOT for family/friends visit)
• Checklist for filing your TRADE FAIR application
• Checklist for visiting Family/Friends/Partner (unmarried)
• Checklist for visiting (non-German) EU/EWR Family Members

Important information:
Please do not send the Visa Section any documents unless requested to do so, particularly not before you have applied for a visa. We are not able to store such documents and will not know to which application they belong. Please always bring all the necessary documents with you to your appointment.

2. Submitting your application

In order to submit your application, please attend your appointment at our service provider TLScontact in person. During this appointment, we kindly ask you (applicant) to submit all of your application documents, pay the fee and answer questions about your planned trip. Your photograph and fingerprints will also be taken on this occasion.

3. What happens during processing?

The Embassy will review your application and make a decision on whether or not to grant you a visa. To this end, it will assess whether your application meets the legal requirements. Processing time is up to 15 days for applications with complete documentation. We hope you will understand that we are not able to answer any questions on the status of your application during this processing period. After that, enquiries can only be answered if they are made by the applicant, his/her legal representative or another person authorised in writing by the applicant.

4. Return of your passport

For convenience, you have the possibility to either pick up your passport at the service center or have your passport returned by a pre-arranged courier services, so that your passport can be returned to you as soon the Embassy has decided upon your application.

5. Have a good trip! Information for visa holders

If all the information on your visa label is correct, you are free to travel. Please check the Information on the label as soon as your passport is returned to you. You should let TLScontact know immediately if there are any mistakes so that we can issue you a new visa. Your visa will state your full name and passport number and include your photo. It will also state the period of validity. This is the time period in which you can travel. We want to give you some flexibility in your journey: In order to be able to postpone your travel dates on short notice, the validity of your visa is usually 15 days longer than the number of days of stay. The granting of a Schengen visa does not entitle you to entry. The final decision will be made on entry control into the Schengen area by the border police. It is also possible that the border police will ask you to present documents that inform about your financial resources, the duration and the purpose of your stay, as well as health insurance protection. You should therefore take your visa documents (including an invitation from Germany, hotel reservation, travel health insurance) on the trip.