Germany Airport Transit Visa (Schengen Type A)
The Germany Airport Transit Visa (Schengen Type A) allows a short stopover at a German international airport WITHOUT leaving the international transit area or overnight stay. If you need to leave the transit zone (e.g. catch a connecting flight from another airport outside Schengen), apply for a regular Schengen visa (Type C) instead.
Jurisdiction Notice — Germany Schengen Visa
SureshotVisa handles the New Delhi jurisdiction.
All Germany Schengen visa applications accepted in India are forwarded to the German Consulate General, Mumbai, for decision — but you must apply at the VFS Application Centre that matches your place of habitual residence. Choosing the wrong jurisdiction means your appointment is cancelled and the application is refused at the counter.
Covered States (New Delhi jurisdiction)
- ✓Haryana
- ✓Himachal Pradesh
- ✓Jammu and Kashmir
- ✓Punjab
- ✓Rajasthan
- ✓Sikkim
- ✓Uttar Pradesh
- ✓Uttarakhand
Covered UTs (New Delhi jurisdiction)
- ✓Chandigarh
- ✓NCT of Delhi
- ✓Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- ✓Lakshadweep (incl. Minicoy & Amini)
Outside these states/UTs? Germany splits Schengen applications across Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru consulates by residence. We can still guide you end-to-end — document checklist, appointment slot at the right VAC, and submission support. Contact us first before booking anything.
Processing
15 working days from when the application reaches the German Consulate General, Mumbai (not counting the up to 2 working days VFS takes to transport your file)
Stay Duration
Airport transit only — NO leaving the international transit zone
Starting Fee
€91
Apply At
14 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Germany visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1You MUST apply at the VFS Application Centre covering your place of habitual residence. New Delhi jurisdiction covers Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand + UTs of Chandigarh, NCT of Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep. Applying at the wrong VAC means your application is refused at the counter.
- 2Applications must be submitted NOT earlier than 6 months before and NOT later than 15 working days before intended travel.
- 3Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond scheduled return, issued within the last 10 years, have at least 2 blank pages, and must not have any observations on the data page.
- 4All documents, forms, and declarations must be submitted in German or English. Documents in other languages require certified German/English translation — missing translation = 'document not submitted'.
- 5Travel medical insurance must cover the ENTIRE duration of the Schengen trip, minimum €30,000 coverage, and is only accepted from approved Indian Travel Insurance companies (list at india.diplo.de/in-en/service/-/1984578).
- 6Fingerprints are collected at VFS for every in-person submission unless collected within the last 59 months for a previous Schengen visa.
- 7Photo specs: 35×45 mm, white background, face 70–80% of frame, ≤6 months old. Name-observation passports are NOT accepted.
- 8Incomplete documentation alone is grounds for refusal — the visa section is NOT obliged to request missing documents before denying your application.
- 9A booked flight ticket does NOT lead to priority processing. Do not purchase tickets until the visa is issued; reservations are enough.
Who Can Apply
- Indian citizens transiting through a German airport (Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, etc.) on a connecting flight
- Travellers who do NOT need to leave the international transit area and do NOT require an overnight stay
Not eligible under this visa:
- Indian nationals holding valid visa/residence permit from any Schengen Member State, Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Ireland, Canada, Japan, USA (except US Advanced Parole Document holders) — EXEMPT
- Holders of valid UK Biometric Residence Permit — EXEMPT
- Indian nationals with valid residence permit for Andorra, Monaco, San Marino — EXEMPT
- Diplomatic passport holders — EXEMPT
- Travellers leaving the transit zone or needing overnight accommodation — apply for regular Schengen Type C visa
Previously Refused?
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Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Adult — Schengen Short Stay (Type C) | €91 |
| Children 6–12 years | €45 |
| Children below 6 years | FREE |
| VFS service charge | ₹2,022 |
Embassy fees are set in EUR by the German Consulate General, Mumbai — the INR charged at VFS varies with the daily exchange rate. New Visa Fee of €91 is effective from 29 January 2026 for all cities. VFS service charge of ₹2,022 (inclusive of CGST 9% + SGST 9%) is fixed. Fees are payable in Cash / Visa / Mastercard / Amex / Rupay / Demand Draft (in favour of VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd) / UPI. All visa fees, VFS service charges, and value-added service fees are non-refundable regardless of visa outcome.
Documents Required
Core Documents
- !VIDEX online application form (printed with barcodes, signed)
- !Signed Declaration of True and Complete Information
- !Signed Declaration on Travel and Health Insurance
- !Valid passport
Valid 3 months beyond travel, 2 blank pages, issued within last 10 years.
- !Copy of biometric & address page of passport (DIN A4)
- !One biometric photo 35×45mm
White bg, 70–80% face coverage, ≤6 months old.
- !Personal covering letter
Transit-Specific Documents
- !Flight reservation to final destination (one-way) OR return ticket if you live in India
- ○Copy of valid visa / residence permit for your final destination
If applicable — e.g. US visa, Canadian PR card.
- !Valid Travel Health Insurance — €30,000 min
Required EVEN for transit cases. From approved Indian insurers only.
For Minor Applicants
- ○Both parents must sign application form + declarations
- ○Passport copies of both parents (biometric + address page)
- ○If one parent doesn't submit: copy of that parent's visa (if they travel separately)
- ○If only one parent submits: proof of single custody OR notarized authorization letter + passport copy of non-present parent
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Check if you're exempt
Indian nationals with valid Schengen / UK / Canada / USA / Japan visas or residence permits are generally EXEMPT. Diplomatic passport holders also exempt.
Fill VIDEX online + sign declarations
Fill videx.diplo.de — print all barcode pages, sign.
Gather transit-specific docs
Flight reservations showing you stay in transit zone, copy of final-destination visa (if any), travel health insurance.
Book VFS appointment
At visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/deu — pick VAC matching your jurisdiction.
Submit + biometrics
Pay €91 + ₹2,022. Processing 15 working days.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Schengen Visa Application Form (VIDEX online)
MUST be filled online on the VIDEX website. Print ALL pages including the barcodes and sign. Paper-only forms are not accepted.
Declaration of True and Complete Information (§54 AufenthG)
Signed declaration confirming all application information is true. Mandatory for all categories.
Declaration on Travel and Health Insurance
Signed declaration confirming €30,000 minimum travel health insurance for the full duration of stay.
Power of Attorney — Annexure A
Only if the application is submitted via a representative or travel agent.
VFS Germany Downloads & Checklists
Per-category checklists (Tourism, Business, Visit, Airport Transit, Trade Fair, Culture/Sport, Medical, Student, Internship, Seamen).
VFS Application Centres
💡 Pro Tips
- If your connecting flight is within 24 hours AND you hold a valid US/UK/Canada/Japan visa, you're usually EXEMPT from airport transit visa — confirm with the airline before applying.
- Airport transit visa does NOT allow you to leave the transit zone. If you need to catch a connecting flight from a DIFFERENT airport, you must have a regular Schengen Type C visa.
- Even if exempt, carry proof of exemption (visa sticker / residence permit) at the airport — airlines sometimes stop passengers who don't carry proof.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Applied for transit visa when the trip actually requires a Type C visa (leaving airport, staying overnight)
- 2.Final destination visa (US/UK/Canada) not valid or not attached
- 3.Missing travel health insurance — yes, even transit requires it
- 4.Connecting flight layover too long to count as 'transit'
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a Germany airport transit visa?+
Can I leave the airport during transit?+
My layover is 18 hours — transit or Type C?+
What if I have a connecting flight to the US from Frankfurt?+
Is travel insurance required for transit?+
How long is the visa valid?+
Let us prepare your Germany Airport Transit Visa — (Schengen Type A) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other Germany Visa Types
Germany Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens travelling to Germany for tourism, sightseeing, and leisure — up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Germany Business Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay business visa for Indian professionals attending meetings, negotiations, conferences, or contracts in Germany — up to 90 days.
Germany Visit Visa — Family & Friends (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting family members, relatives, or friends in Germany — up to 90 days.
Germany Trade Fair / Exhibition Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian exhibitors and visitors of German trade fairs (Hannover Messe, IFA, Drupa, Automechanika, etc.).
Germany Medical Treatment Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen visa for Indian citizens seeking specific medical treatment at a German hospital / clinic — up to 90 days.
Germany Culture / Sport / Religious Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian artists, sportspeople, film crews, cultural performers, and religious workers invited to Germany.
Germany Seamen Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian seafarers joining ships at German ports — requires CDC, shipping company invitation, and Indian agent documentation.
Germany Guest Scientist / Research / Short-term Student Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian scientists, researchers, and students visiting Germany for research, academic programs, or short courses under 90 days.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Germany website and Embassy of Germany. Last verified 2026-04-20. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.