Application procedure

Read the list of documents that must be submitted with your visa application, based on your travel purpose and prepare your documents carefully. Please always choose the correct travel purpose here.

Create your personal user account by providing your email address and a password. You will then have to activate your account by clicking on the link provided in the email that will be sent to you.

Log in to your account and fill in the requested personal data. If you are a member of a group of people applying for a visa together, please fill in the data of those accompanying you too. Submit the group when you finish.

Choose a convenient date and time to submit your application at our visa application centre.

Don't forget to print your appointment confirmation letter: you will need to provide it on the day of your appointment.

Complete your VIDEX form (English or German version only) online via the VIDEX website and print it. You should complete the form in capital letters and sign it in person using black ink. If your fingerprints are over 59 months old, you must visit again. Otherwise, no personal appearance is required.

Short stay

Long stay 

Please arrive on time for your appointment with the appointment confirmation letter.

Please note: In accordance with the Federal Foreign Office’s instructions, applicants arriving more than 15 minutes late for their appointment will be required to book a new appointment.

If you apply for a Schengen visa and are exempt from biometric data collection, your application and documents can be submitted by a representative. Please check the question “Am I exempt from biometric data collection?” to see whether your application can be handled by a representative.

When submitting your application, your representative must present:

• a notarized power of attorney on plain paper, signed by you.
• the original of his ID
• a copy of his ID

Your representative must be at least 18 years old.

The application form (VIDEX) must always be signed by the applicant.

If you apply for a national visa, your application cannot be handled by a representative. All applicants must attend in person.

During your appointment, your application and supporting documents will be verified against the requirements of the German consular authority and your biometric data will be recorded.

Once these steps are completed, your visa application will be transferred to the German consular authority for processing. Please note that TLScontact is in no way involved in the decision-making process.

The German consular authority may ask for more information or additional documents. If this happens, you will be contacted by email or phone with detailed instructions.

You can track your application at any time by logging into your personal account.

You will be notified once the German consular authority has returned your passport to our visa application centre. You can then collect your passport from our centre. You have several options: 

1. Collect your passport in personYou will need to bring:

• Your application checklist;
• Your original photographic ID;
• Copy of your photographic ID.

2. Collect your passport through a representativeThis person must bring:

• Your application checklist;
• Copy of your photographic identity card;
• Representative's original photographic identity card;
• Copy of the representative's photographic identity card;
• A notarized power of attorney signed by you (clearly stating the representative’s details)

3. Receive your passport at the address of your choiceIf you have chosen the Express Courier Return service, your passport will be sent to the address you chose when you applied for your visa.