No dedicated parent visa exists in Germany, but here is how to get your parents a Schengen visa successfully.
Updated 13 August 2026
Write a formal invitation letter stating: their planned stay dates, that you will cover all costs, your address where they will stay. Include copies of your employment contract and recent bank statements.
At your local Ausländerbehörde, file a formal financial guarantee for your parents. Costs ~€29. This significantly improves approval chances.
They need: valid passport (6+ months validity), visa application form, photos, return flight booking, travel insurance (mandatory, minimum €30,000 coverage), your invitation documents, their bank statements.
Applications at VFS Global India. Processing: 5–15 working days. Apply 6–8 weeks before planned travel.
Mandatory for Schengen visa. Recommended insurers for Indian parents visiting Germany: HDFC Ergo, Bajaj Allianz, Care Health travel insurance.
In larger cities many officials speak basic English. All official forms are in German — use translation apps or bring a German-speaking colleague.
Contact the office immediately. Honest mistakes are handled reasonably — German officials distinguish between errors and fraud.
Plan early — German bureaucracy takes 4–12 weeks for most processes.
Always bring more documents than stated — over-preparation is always better.
Google Translate camera mode helps with German forms.
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