Germany is an exceptional destination for travelers from Sri Lanka or the Maldives who want to discover marvelous cultural artifacts and mesmerizing landscapes. Germany has much to offer, whether someone is a first-time traveler or an experienced one to the Schengen area. The vibrant German capital, Berlin, is famous for its rich history and contemporary culture. Munich is known for its Bavarian charm and Oktoberfest, which are worth exploring. The journey can further take you to indulge in the historic art of Dresden or on an expedition to old streets in Heidelberg. To embark on this journey, you can learn to apply for a German Schengen Visa from Sri Lanka and Maldives in this comprehensive guide. All the essential aspects of a German Schengen Visa will be covered, including the Schengen Visa process, when to schedule your appointment, how long it will take to process your application, as well as the requirements for Schengen travel insurance and the specific steps for applying for a Visa for citizens of Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Plan an excursion around Germany to immerse you in its culture, show you its architectural marvels, and provide memorable experiences.
Moreover, if you are living in a third-world, Asia, Middle East, or any country where a Schengen visa is required for entry into Germany, like the Philippines, Nigeria, India, and Pakistan, and desire to travel to Germany then you may strike the attached references.
Visitors who applied for German Schengen Visa from Sri Lanka and Maldives
In 2022, about 2,462 Sri Lankans applied for German Schengen Visas, and 4,277 tourists from Maldives visited Germany in 2018.
| Years | Schengen State | Country | Consulate | Number of Visa Applications | Visas Issued | Visas Denied | Not issued rate for uniform visas |
| 2018 | Germany | SRI LANKA | COLOMBO | 7,912 | 6,478 | 1,432 | 18.10% |
| 2019 | Germany | SRI LANKA | COLOMBO | 8,501 | 6,859 | 1,635 | 19.21% |
| 2020 | Germany | SRI LANKA | COLOMBO | 1,576 | 1,298 | 278 | 17.64% |
Reference: European Union
Applying for a German Schengen Visa from Sri Lanka and Maldives
People visiting Germany for tourism or business holding a Sri Lankan or Maldives passport require a German Schengen Visa. When applying for a Visa, applicants must apply at the Embassy of the country they intend to visit primarily, which is usually the Schengen nation where their intended stay will be the longest, in this case, the German Embassy Consulate. As long as the Visa is still valid, holders of the Schengen area can spend up to 90 days in the Schengen region within 180 days.
Sri Lankan passport holders who wish to apply for a German Schengen Visa from Sri Lanka can apply at VFS German Visa Application Centers in Colombo and Jaffna. Maldives citizens can apply at the VFS German Visa Application Center in Malé. If Maldives passport holders plan to visit Schengen countries other than Germany, they must apply to the responsible Embassy in New Delhi.
VFS German Visa Application Center is a state-of-the-art facility that offers a seamless and efficient Visa application process. Whether you’re traveling for leisure, business, or education, their friendly and knowledgeable staff are ready to assist you every step of the way.
Types of German Schengen Visas offered at The German Embassy in Sri Lanka and Maldives
Short Stay Visa
- Tourist/ Visit to Family & Friends – Visa for tourism or visiting someone.
- Business – Visa for business purposes
- Seaman – An individual wishing to enter Germany to work as a seaman, either leaving the country with the current vessel or joining another ship or route to another foreign port or location, must possess a seaman’s Visa.
- Transit – This type of Visa applies to individuals transiting through Germany to a non-Schengen country.
Long Stay Visa
Individuals who wish to stay for more than three months must apply for a resident permit. The Visa covers the following categories:
- Adoption or family reunion
- Marriage
- Student Visa
- Scientists
- Work Employment Visa
The process to apply for a German Schengen Visa from Sri Lanka and Maldives
The Schengen Visa can be applied by Sri Lankan and Maldives citizens on the VFS Global website as they are the official partner of the Federal Republic of Germany Embassy in Sri Lanka and Maldives.
The steps to follow when applying for Visa are as follows:
Step 1 – Identification of the type of required Visa
Step 2 – Start your Visa application
Step 3 – Booking an appointment
Step 4 – Payment of required charges
Step 5 – Submission of application for Visa
Step 6 – Tracking the application
Step 7 – Collection of Passport
Step 1 – Identification of the type of required Visa
Firstly, the type of Visa required is identified along with eligibility verification. After the type selection, you must note the required documents to be submitted, the filled application, and the associated fee. A translation must be prepared and presented if any document is not originally in English.
Step 2 – Start your Visa application
When you are ready to apply for a German Schengen Visa, complete the application by downloading the Application form, filling it out completely, and printing it before taking it to the VFS Visa Application Center for submission along with the required documents.
Step 3 – Booking an appointment
Choose a Visa Application Center and an appointment is scheduled to give the biometric information, including fingerprints and photos, at the center. An appointment has to be booked per individual applying for the German Schengen Visa. The appointment is confirmed through an email along with the letter of appointment.
Step 4 – Payment of required charges
If the Visa is applied online, the individual will pay the fee during the online application process. In case the form is submitted physically at the application center, payment can be made at the time of submission of the application at the center.
Step 5 – Submission of application for visa
The complete Visa application form has to be submitted in person at the Visa application center. For individuals under 16, the application form must be duly signed by both parents.
Step 6 – Tracking the application
Progress of the German Schengen Visa application can be tracked online using the reference number on the invoice/receipt issued by the Visa application center.
Step 7 – Collection of Passport
You can retrieve your documents from the Visa Application Center or have them courier-returned to you for an additional charge once a decision has been rendered on your Visa application. Bring the receipt issued by the Visa Application Center and a form of government identification when picking up your documents in person. You may be permitted to send a representative to retrieve your documents; they must provide government identification, a letter of authorization signed by you, and the receipt issued by the Visa Application Center.
Documents Required for German Schengen Visa from Sri Lanka and Maldives
Sri Lankan and Maldives citizens require a set of documents to apply for a German Schengen Visa. The documents required are:
- Application Form duly filled and signed per applicant
- Two recent passport-size photographs (3,5 x 4.5 cm, white background, photographed within last six months)
- Fee receipt or payment proof
- Current passport (with at least three months validity and two blank pages) and (if any) previous passports
- In the case of a Visa for children, requirements include a letter of consent from both parents or guardians with a birth certificate and copies of the parent’s passports or District Court appointment decree.
- Travel health insurance with validity up to the length of stay and for all Schengen states covering medical repatriation, emergency medical, and hospital care.
- Flight travel itinerary (arrival and departure flight information and – if applicable – surface travel dates to other Schengen countries)
- Proof of financial status
- Proof of invitation if the financing party is from Germany, along with a copy of the sponsor’s passport/ID card
- If the inviting party is non-financial, an informal invitation letter is required, along with proof of funds.
- In case of no inviting party, hotel stay reservation proof is required
- Proof of Employment in Sri Lanka or Maldives
- If the individual is self-employed, business registration and the company’s bank statements for the last three months are required.
- Students must submit a letter from the school/university confirming permitted leave.
- Proof of financial situation in Sri Lanka (personal/family bank statements from any financial institution recognized by the Sri Lankan central bank for the last three months and/or up-to-date savings books with a balance confirmation letter from the bank, credit card limit letter, etc.)
- Grama Sevaka letter (Residents of Sri Lanka only) certified by the divisional secretary confirming residence of family living with applicant plus translation into English or German
- Proof of family bonds such as birth certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, or death certificate of the deceased spouse; If the host is a relative of the applicant, proof of familiar relationship (birth/marriage
- certificates).
- Questionnaire Schengen
- Other/Voluntarily submitted documents (recommended for first-time travelers) such as property deeds, further explanatory documents, proof of will to return, etc.
The documents checklist, questionnaire, and other required forms can be downloaded from the VFS Visa Application Official Website and submitted along with the application form.
Recommended Guidelines for Applying German Visa from Sri Lanka and Maldives
- Commence the Visa application procedure as soon as possible, given that applications may be submitted until six months before the intended departure.
- Visa decisions are typically processed within 15 calendar days; therefore, applications must be submitted a minimum of 15 days before the anticipated departure date.
- We request that you abstain from making any inquiries concerning the status of your Visa application during this processing period. When further examination is warranted, the processing time could be extended to forty-five calendar days.
- Kindly note that Visa applications should be submitted exclusively via the VFS Visa application centers in Colombo, Jaffna, or Malé/Maldives, which Germany established. As the designated collaborator of the German Embassy, VFS administers procedural obligations pertaining to Visas. The authority to make determinations regarding applications resides exclusively with the Embassy.
