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Welcome to the German Missions in India!
Important information
No visa queries are being addressed at the moment. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the German Embassy New Delhi is open for emergencies only. The Visa Section of the German Missions as well as the offices of our service provider, VFS Global, remain closed until further notice, except for the following services:
VFS now open for D-Visa-stamping! Applicants present in India who have been informed by Embassy letter that their D-visa is ready to be delivered can now hand in their passports and supplimentary documents at VFS. Please check here for eligibility criteria. Please note: a prior appointment needs to be taken to avail the services of VFS for both stamping and extension of visa.
VFS centers in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad open on 17.08.2020 for new visa applications for scholarship holders, PhD students/PostDoc studies/Guest scientists, transit visas and seafarer visas. To book an appointment, please contact your local VFS Visa Application Centre.
Repatriation flights and other important information (August 11, 2020):
The nationwide lockdown has been extended until August 31, 2020. Since June 8, 2020 relaxations of lockdown rules in areas outside the Containment Zones have been introduced. Inform yourself with the local Indian authorities and keep yourself updated via local media. As per current information the international commercial aviation traffic continues to be halted until further notice.
The following information on the situation for stranded German tourists and short-term travelers who are still in India is available:
Information on upcoming repatriation flights
The federal government's repatriation program has concluded. Here you will find information on any eventually planned repatriation flights by other European governments from India to Europe. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
As per our current information, Lufthansa is offering repatriation flights as follows, each 3 times per week:
Mumbai – Frankfurt
Delhi – Munich every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
Delhi – Frankfurt
Bangalore - Frankfurt
Additionally following flights to India are planned by Lufthansa:
Frankfurt – Delhi Munich – Delhi Frankfurt – Mumbai Frankfurt – Bangalore Information can be found here or on the Lufthansa website.
Provided there are capacities available, these flights are bookable directly on the Lufthansa website.
We ask for your understanding that the German Embassy and the Consulates cannot answer any additional questions regarding these flights.
Information on international transit of non-EU citizens can be found here under “Airport Transit”.
Please find further information on immigration/quarantine below. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Indian government has announced a partial re-commencement of domestic flights from 25th May 2020 onwards. This could be a better option for travel to one of the main airports from which repatriation flights depart. Travelers are advised to check on detailed procedure with the respective airline as well as on quarantine measures or special regulations of the respective Indian States/Union territories in advance. It might be possible that at the beginning only a particular group of people (e.g. participants in repatriation program) are eligible for these flights. Current information can be found on the websites of the airports or of the Indian Ministry for Civil Aviation.
General Information on immigration and quarantine upon arrival:
Please note that the onward journey to Germany (flight ticket or train ticket) must already be booked before departure. Proof of this must be presented.
The German Federal government has decided that all German and EU citizens as well as citizens of a Schengen-associated state or persons with residence in Germany who re-enter after a multi-day stay abroad and are returning to their place of residence in Germany must enter a mandatory two-week quarantine. The concerned persons must enter the home-quarantine, regardless of their mode of transport to Germany (land, air or sea).
In certain cases, home quarantine is not mandatory, if a COVID-19 test, which is not older than 48 hours, is presented and certain requirements are met. Please contact your local German health authority before starting your journey.
Anyone entering the country and staying in a risk area in the 14 days prior to entry must, at the request of the responsible health department, either provide evidence of a negative test result for SARS-CoV-2, which is not older than 48 hours, or take a test within 14 days of entry.
Please also see our FAQs (in German), which contain information and answers to the most common questions related to the Corona crisis.
Information for German citizens:
In order to be informed directly by us about the current situation, we recommend German citizens to register in our crisis preparedness list at www.diplo.de/elefand.
Information for Indian citizens:
Kindly note that immigration into Germany will currently only be possible if you possess one of the following residence permits/visas (as per decision by the Federal Government):
1. Residence permit (“Aufenthaltserlaubnis”) 2. Permanent residence permit (“Niederlassungserlaubnis”) 3. Family reunion visa including intended marriage 4. Long-term (Category “D”) visa for employment in health and health research sectors, for care of the elderly as well as specialists and highly qualified workers whose employment is economically necessary and whose work cannot be postponed or carried out abroad 5. Long-term (Category “D”) visa for study purposes as long as the studies cannot be carried out completely from abroad
We recommend bringing corresponding proof (e.g. copy of marriage (registration) certificate as well as of the German passport of your partner, confirmation from your employer/university) or the residence permit card to the Airport.
Transit is also permitted for those exempt from a Schengen transit visa; please keep your confirmed onward ticket ready and make sure prior to departure that your country of destination allows your entry.
Entry is currently banned for the following groups:
1.Short-term (Category “C”) Visa – Schengen Visa for Business, Leisure, family visit 2.Other Long-term (Category “D”) Visa, e.g. for specialty cooks or job seekers, or if requirements for the above-mentioned requirements for employment and study visas are not being met.
Kindly note that Indian citizens can directly apply for an e-curfew pass with the respective Indian authorities. For contact details please see here.
Please keep yourself informed via the Indian media, the website of the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, that of the Bureau of Immigration as well as the travel and security information of the Federal Foreign Office - ideally via the free app “Sicher Reisen” - about the current situation. In order to be informed about the situation directly by us, we recommend German citizens to register in our crisis preparedness list “ELEFAND”.
The Indian authorities are planning repatriation programs for Indian citizens stranded abroad, that might also be accessible for Indians who – being holder of valid foreign residence permits – want to return from India to their country of residence abroad. Please contact the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation or Air India directly with questions relating to repatriation of Indians.
Repatriation flights with Air India are bookable via the airline's website.
The Indian Embassy in Berlin as well as the Indian Consulates General in Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munich have opened up COVID-19 hotlines. The contact details can be found on the website of the Indian Embassy in Berlin.
Germany has - following the EU recommendation - extended the entry ban beyond July 1st, 2020 for travelers from high-risk areas. India is one of them. Foreigners in Germany who have arrived on 17.03.2020 or later with a Schengen Visa are exempt from the requirement of a resident permit from the expiration date of their visa until 30.09.2020.
Competent for renewal after this date are the local aliens offices (Ausländerbehörden). Since 10.04.2020 travelers entering Germany are subject to a mandatory home quarantine of 14 days. Exceptions may be made if a COVID-19 test, which is not older than 48 hours, is presented and other requirements are met. Anyone entering the country and staying in a risk area in the 14 days prior to entry must, at the request of the responsible health department, either provide evidence of a negative test result for SARS-CoV-2, which is not older than 48 hours, or take a test within 14 days of entry.
We ask for your understanding that the German Embassy cannot give a prognosis on when commercial flights will recommence.
Please keep yourself informed on the Indian government’s websites and on social media, as well as through the Federal Foreign Office’s travel advice for India via the smartphone app “Sicher Reisen”.
Now that our repatriation program is concluded, quite a number of Indian citizens with permanent residency, work permit, Blue Card or student visa for Germany have approached us to see if we could help them return to Germany.
As much as we understand these concerns and sympathise with you for the difficulties caused, it is also important to be realistic and transparent in what ‘Team India’ (Embassy and our 4 General Consulates) can do for you in this situation.
1. The target group for the one-time repatriation program was those most vulnerable in such a situation: tourists and short-time travelers (as well as people with serious illnesses), those dependent on (closing) hotels and restaurants, without a support network of family and friends in India. Hence all other Germans (or people with residence permit in Germany) residing in India or with family ties in India were not part of this target group. This also includes many Germans for whom this international travel ban has caused quite some economic, educational or personal losses. Negative repercussions of this global crisis are unprecedented and are hitting us all.
2. There is a countrywide lockdown in India (and many other countries) and the fight against the coronavirus necessitates that all of us to respect curfews and travel restrictions. In many cases, there will be no other option than preparing to stay safe and remain where you are until regular travel becomes possible again.
3. Please check the infobox above for more information on the occasional special chartered repatriation flights by some European airlines, which can be booked online. But please be aware that due to their non-commercial nature, relief-flight restrictions by the airline or by Indian aviation authorities might apply on who can board such flights!
4. In case you get on such a flight please be aware that once you fly to Germany you will have to, at the request of the responsible health department, either provide evidence of a negative test result for SARS-CoV-2, which is not older than 48 hours, or take a test within 14 days of entry.
5. As for visa, work or student issues, it is advisable to contact your employer, university, landlord, etc., in order to see how to prepare for the days when commercial flights reopen again. This pandemic, in many aspects, has entered uncharted territory, so it requires flexibility and patience, but most of all, understanding that our main priority must be to fight the virus as efficiently as possible.
Exemptions from the entry ban can be made and a visa can be granted for a short-term visit:
- if you and your partner have previously lived together in India or in another foreign country (please submit scan of corresponding visa of your partner)
- or if you have already visited your partner in Germany (please submit a scan of your previous Schengen visa and entry stamps).
While the German Missions’ visa sections remain closed to the general public until further notice, it may be considered if an exceptional appointment can be conceded for short-term visits of long-distance relationship partners. You may submit the proof to the competent German Mission. If it is found that you might be eligible to apply, an appointment will be given to you.
On the day of the appointment, please submit the above-mentioned proof and the filled in declaration forms in addition to the regular documents to be presented for a visitor visa. Please keep in mind that the following general criteria have to be met:
- The visa category is short-term. Therefore, it has to be established whether you will be returning to India (after a maximum stay of 90 days). Proof can be NOC from your employer / university. Please note that if you have already applied for a family reunion / intended marriage visa, this contradicts your willingness to return to India, as you obviously want to shift to Germany on a permanent basis.
- Proof of financial stability as well as sufficient funds for the duration of your stay, including travel insurance, have to be presented.
Generally, you should submit a “Verpflichtungserklärung” / formal obligation letter (original only!) from your sponsor, usually your partner in Germany, duly attested by a German authority. Only if you are a bona-fide traveller with sufficient regular income, the requirement of a formal obligation letter can be waived.
- Additional proof of your relationship should be made available regarding the duration of your relationship and when and where personal visits have taken place.
For additional information and application and declaration forms, please visit our website.
1. Regular visa, e-visa or stay stipulation of all foreign nationals would be extended on 'GRATIS' basis after making online application by the foreigner to the concerned. Exit of such foreign nationals, if so requested by them during this period, will be granted without levy of overstay penalty.
2. The Indian Government has halted all international scheduled flight operations till August 31, 2020! Flights within India have resumed from May 25th, 2020 onwards. Travelers are advised to check on detailed procedure with the respective airline as well as on quarantine measures or special regulations of the respective Indian States/Union territories in advance. Current information can be found on the websites of the airports or of the Indian Ministry for Civil Aviation.
German travelers in India can continue their stay on their visas. Travel restrictions related to COVID-19 are subject to change.
Please check with the Indian authorities for complete and updated information regarding travel restrictions in the region you are in at the moment.
1. In wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Section 144 of CrPC is to be imposed in India with effect from March 22, 2020.
Therefore VFS Global and the Visa Section of the German Embassy and the Consulates will remain closed until further notice.
Germany has - following the EU recommendation - extended the entry ban beyond July 1st, 2020 for travelers from high-risk areas. India is one of them.
German and EU-citizens with permanent residence in Germany are exempt from the entry ban, as well as all other foreigners with a valid residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis, Niederlassungserlaubnis), family reunion visa, Long-term (Category “D”) visa for employment (in health and health research sectors, for care of the elderly as well as specialists and highly qualified workers whose employment is economically necessary and whose work cannot be postponed or carried out abroad) and Long-term (Category “D”) visa for study purposes (as long as the studies cannot be carried out completely from abroad) for Germany.
Health checks will be conducted at point of entry.
2.With immediate effect:
Visa Department: Due to Lock-Down in India and necessary social distancing measures, Visa Section of German Embassy as well as of the Consulates and Visa Application Centres of VFS global remain closed until further notice.
Consular Section: We remain open for emergencies of German citizens and for the application and collection of German passports (by individual appointment only). Unfortunately, no other services can currently be offered.
After traveling to India as a 20-year-old with a backpack and a lot of time, the country and its people have remained close to my heart. Everything has come full circle and now I can intensify the very close relations between our two countries.
