Does a trade-fair visit use the business visa?

Yes — visiting trade fairs and exhibitions in Germany is covered by the business visa, supported by the trade-fair or exhibition registration confirmation.

What invitation do I need?

An invitation letter from the German company you are meeting, or registration confirmation from the trade-fair organiser, alongside a letter from your Indian employer.

Up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

Germany · Visa guide

Germany Business Visa

A short-stay Schengen visa for business meetings, negotiations and trade fairs in Germany.

ProcessingSchengen short-stay visas are processed within about 15 working days of submission at VFS
Visa categoryBusiness Visa
Your guideOne consultant

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Germany Business Visa — overview

The Germany Business Visa is a short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) for business activity — meetings, negotiations, conferences and visiting trade fairs and exhibitions in Germany, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Alongside the standard Schengen documents, the German mission expects a clear business purpose: an invitation from the German company or trade-fair organiser, and a letter from your Indian employer explaining the visit and the business relationship.

Lifeset Overseas helps you and the inviting German company assemble a consistent business file so the purpose of the trip is established cleanly.

8 items

Documents you need

VIDEX application form
The Schengen application completed on VIDEX, printed in full with barcodes, signed, with the required declarations.
Valid passport
Issued within 10 years, valid 3 months beyond return, with 2 empty pages.
Photographs & passport copy
Recent 35x45mm biometric photos and a copy of the passport bio and address page.
Invitation from Germany
An invitation letter from the German company, or trade-fair / exhibition registration confirmation.
Indian employer letter
A letter from your Indian company explaining the purpose of the visit, your position and the business relationship.
Financial means
Salary slips, employment contract, leave-sanction letter, 3 months bank statements stamped by the bank, and ITR or Form 16; company GST registration if self-employed.
Travel & accommodation
Return flight reservation and confirmed accommodation for the stay.
Travel medical insurance
Schengen-wide cover of at least EUR 30,000 from an approved insurer.

5 steps

How the process works

Typical processing: Schengen short-stay visas are processed within about 15 working days of submission at VFS.

Step 1
Free eligibility review
We confirm the business-visa route and build a checklist for you and the inviting German company.
Step 2
Complete VIDEX & build the file
The VIDEX application, invitation, employer letter and financial documents are prepared and cross-checked.
Step 3
Book the VFS Global appointment
We schedule your submission and biometrics slot at VFS Global.
Step 4
Submit & give biometrics
You attend the VFS centre to submit the file and provide biometrics.
Step 5
Decision & passport return
The German mission decides the application and your passport is returned through VFS.

Transparent

Costs & fees

Item

Amount

Schengen visa fee (adult)

Payable in INR.

EUR 91

VFS Global service fee

Plus optional add-ons such as courier.

INR 2,022

Government and third-party fees change often — we confirm the exact current amounts for your case before you pay anything.

3 answers

Frequently asked questions

Q.Does a trade-fair visit use the business visa?: Yes — visiting trade fairs and exhibitions in Germany is covered by the business visa, supported by the trade-fair or exhibition registration confirmation.
Q.What invitation do I need?: An invitation letter from the German company you are meeting, or registration confirmation from the trade-fair organiser, alongside a letter from your Indian employer.
Q.How long can I stay?: Up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

Why it matters

Going it alone vs filing with us

On your own

Guessing the document list — one missing or wrongly formatted paper triggers a refusal.
Generic cover letters copied from the internet that officers recognise and flag.
No read on peak rejection windows or what this visa post is strict about.
Government and VFS fees are non-refundable — money lost if you are refused.
A refusal stamp follows you and weakens every future visa application.

With Lifeset Overseas

An honest case assessment before you spend a rupee on government fees.
A file built to the embassy's exact checklist and in the exact order.
Weak finances, ties or purpose identified and fixed before submission.
Previously refused? We can rescue and rebuild the file.
1,200+ approvals, handled by one licensed consultant end to end.

Refused before?

A refusal isn't the end

Refused applicants often win the second time — once the real reason is fixed. If a Germany visa has been refused, we:

Read the actual refusal letter and pinpoint the real gaps.
Advise whether to pull the officer's notes (CAIPS / GCMS) for the true reason.
Identify which part was weak — funds, employment, purpose or ties.
Tell you honestly whether to reapply now or strengthen the file first.
Rebuild a stronger application — same fixed fee, refusal or first try.

Get refusal support

Your next step

Ready to start your Germany Business Visa?

A visa file is won or lost on the small things — a mismatched date, a thin financial trail, a document formatted wrong. We go deep into your profile, build every document properly, and give you an honest verdict before you commit. If your case isn't ready, we'll tell you — and tell you exactly how to fix it.

Free, honest assessment
We read your full profile and tell you straight whether your case is ready — before you pay anything.
Your file, built right
Every document prepared, apostilled, translated and stress-tested the way the embassy expects.
One consultant, end to end
The same person handles your case from the first call to the visa decision — no hand-offs.
We handle the process
VFS appointment, biometrics, submission and follow-up — we manage the moving parts for you.

licensed (No. 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024)Fixed fees agreed upfrontWe won’t take a case we believe will fail

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