Documents required during a Germany visa application ensure that your application is accepted and that visa procedures are completed on time. In Turkey, applications for travel to Germany are submitted online through authorized IDATA centers rather than directly at consulates or embassies, which speeds up processing. However, IDATA’s more detailed document requirements demand careful preparation.
Required documents for a Germany visa (2019) vary according to the purpose of travel. For example, documents for a student visa differ from those for a tourist trip. Documents may also vary depending on whether travel is by road or air.
What types of Germany visas are there?
To apply for a visa at German embassies in Turkey, you must complete the Germany visa application form and prepare all other required documents, then follow the appointment process. National visa appointments for German embassies can also be requested through the call center at 0850 460 84 93.
You may apply for a Germany visa up to 90 days before your travel start date. The appointment date should be scheduled with enough time to gather required documents for a Germany visa; appointments can be made online or at IDATA branches. Germany visa categories include:
- Tourist,
- Family or friend visit,
- Internship,
- Student trips,
- Truck driver,
- Business and trade fair visits,
- Airport transit passenger,
- Educational, cultural and sporting travel,
- National stays of 90 days or more
Select the appropriate visa category and submit complete documents for that category. With a completed application form and an appointment, the process for traveling to Germany can be completed smoothly.
How to prepare the Germany visa application form?
You can complete the Germany visa application form by downloading the form available online or by applying through the authorized IDATA platform at https://videx.diplo.de/videx/desktop/index.html#start. The application form contains several sections that must be filled out using your identity card, passport and travel documents.
The Germany visa application form includes;
- Identity information,
- Contact details,
- Passport information,
- Travel details
All sections must be completed accurately for the application to be accepted. After preparing the form, schedule an appointment and ensure you bring all requested documents to the appointment with German authorities.
Germany Visa Application Form for Istanbul CLICK HERE
Germany Visa Application Form for Ankara CLICK HERE
What documents are required for a Germany Schengen visa?
A Schengen visa allows travel to Germany and many other European countries without separate visas for each country, which is why it is commonly chosen. Schengen visas cover trips up to 90 days. It is advisable to book your visa appointment at least 15 days before travel to avoid possible problems.
Required documents for Germany Schengen visa (2019)
- Visa application form,
- At least two biometric photos taken within the last six months,
- Biometric fingerprints if not provided for international travel in the last five years,
- Passport valid for at least three months beyond the visa expiry date with at least two blank pages,
- Travel health insurance with minimum coverage of 30,000 euros,
- Travel and flight information showing entry and exit dates to the Schengen area,
- Accommodation reservations or address details of where you will stay,
- For children, both parents should sign the application form; if a child travels alone, a notarized consent is required
These documents must be added to the application form and submitted to the German consulate or embassy during the visa appointment.
Documents required for a Germany tourist visa
The short-term visa for travel to Germany for sightseeing, vacation or leisure is called a tourist visa. Turkish citizens who prepare the required documents in time and schedule an appointment can complete visa processes through German embassies and consulates. Tourist visas allow stays in Germany for up to 90 days; if issued as a Schengen visa, it also permits travel to many European countries.
Tourist visa applications are for holders of ordinary (maroon) passports. Holders of service (gray) passports or special (green) passports generally do not need a visa for short tourist trips not exceeding 90 days within a 180-day period.
Required documents for a Germany tourist visa
- Passport: issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least three months beyond the visa expiry date, and with at least two consecutive blank pages,
- Biometric photos and fingerprints: two biometric photos taken within the last three months and fingerprinting at the time of Schengen application,
- Copy of ID and family registry (vukuatlı nüfus kayıt örneği),
- Germany visa application form,
- Proof of financial means: pay slips, tax registration, or bank statements showing funds to cover your stay,
- Travel tickets and accommodation information or hotel reservations with address details
With these documents, applicants can request a tourist visa and stay in Germany for up to 90 days.
What documents are needed to travel to Germany with an invitation?
When visiting relatives or friends in Germany, you may apply with an official invitation instead of hotel reservations. The host in Germany should write an official invitation stating they will accommodate the applicant during the visit.
Documents required for travel to Germany with an invitation begin with the written invitation itself. The invitation must be addressed to the German embassy or consulate and be no older than one month. Documents related to the host in Germany may include:
- Documents proving relationship or degree of kinship,
- If the host will cover travel expenses, proof of the host’s financial means,
- If the host is a German citizen, a copy of the German ID,
- Residence permit, work permit or similar documents,
- Proof of residence such as rental contract or property deed
Providing these documents can speed up and improve the chance of a positive outcome. In addition, applicants must present a valid passport, biometric photos, fingerprints if not recorded in the last five years, travel insurance, and other required documents during the visa appointment.