The second-most European Union country dominating tourism business globally after Russia is Germany rightly called ‘The Federal Republic of Germany’. Germany is the robust and wealthiest country of Europe standing strong to date. Located magnanimously between the lush green Alps to the south and Baltic and North seas to the north sharing its borders with 9 other countries being the only such nation. This leading country in tourism accounts for an area of 357,022 sq. km inhabiting a population of 82,800,000 as of 2018 within its 16 integral states. Since Germany is a member of many world-level organizations of the United Nations, NATO, the G7, the G20, and OECD, ranking third in the enormous number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

Germany guards its illustrious memoirs in the relics of diverse Castles, Palaces of the ancient era, also representing the European epic archives in the form of Brandenburg Gate, Neuschwanstein Castles, Colognes Cathedral, and lots of eye-catching delights are the bucket list of every tourist’s Germany Itinerary. 

Germany a member of the European Union still requires a visa to adorn its adorable beauty even after becoming a member of Schengen countries in 1995. Many other nations are also demanded to have a visa for visiting Germany. 

TYPES OF VISAS:

The visa issued to visit Germany is basically of two types depending on the duration of your stay in Germany. The C-type visa is a short-stay visa for more than 90 days. Another is the D-type visa is a long-term visa of 90 days. 

C-type Visas:

1. Germany Airport Transit Visa:- The Germany Airport Transit Visa is for travelers who need a change of flights during their journey can take a halt at the international transit area of any German Airports till their desired destination flight is scheduled and are restricted to leave the premises of German Airport in any case.
2. Germany Business Visa:- Germany Business Visa is for professionals wishing to visit Germany for their business objectives of meetings, conferences, alliances, etc.
3. Germany cultural, Sports, and Film Visa:- This Visa is for fun loving explorers excited to attend any event of Cultural, Sports, or Film in Germany only for third-country nationals. 
4. Visa for Exhibitions and Trade Fair in Germany:- This Visa is for travelers exploring their inner self by participating in trade fairs or exhibitions conducted in Germany.
5. Family or Friends Visiting Visa in Germany:- The travellers wished to meet their family or friends staying in Germany can apply for this short-stay visa type. 
6. Germany Medical Visa:- Patients in need of medical care from Germany for up to 90 days are required to apply for this visa longer stay than that should apply directly for a National Visa for Medical Treatment in Germany. 
7. Germany Official Visit Visa:- Travelers holding an official invite to attend any meetings, consultations, negotiations, exchange programs, or any other intergovernmental organizations in Germany can apply for this visa. 
8. Germany Tourist Visa:- This Visa is for visitors willing to enter Germany for exploring, sightseeing, sabbaticals, and holidays. 
9. Germany Transit Visa: – This type of visa is for travellers taking a stop at any German shelter to reach the non-Schengen destination via another transportation.
10. Training/Internship Visa in Germany:- The trainers or interns aiming to get trained or perform an internship in Germany are eligible for this Visa.

D-type Visas:

1. Study Visa to Germany:- The students aspiring to complete their educational program in Germany Institutions are required to apply for this visa.
2. Job Hunter Visa to Germany:- Unemployed travelers in search of their career in Germany are eligible for this visa type.
3. Family Reunion Germany Visa:– This visa type is for the other family members willing to reunite with their family in Germany.
4. Employment Visa to Germany:– Employment Visa to Germany is for the employees who issued a job proposal in Germany.
5. Guest Scientists & Researchers Germany Visa:- This visa is issued to Researchers or Scientists summoned to conduct any study or research in German institutions as a guest. 

The list of requirements and documents for Canadian residents to apply for Germany Visa:

1. A legal Passport not extended 10 years date of issue, with 2 empty pages for Visa stamp and an extra page, and after your exit from Germany it should be valid for a further 3 months minimum. 
2. A proper multiple entry visa or permanent resident card for Canada.
3. One properly filled and signed Visa Application Form by the applicant.
4. One glued and not stapled photo of passport size, with light background and brightly coloured with proper facial features not extending more than 3 months from the date of applying.
5. A cover letter describing the objective of the visit to Germany.
6. A testimony of trip organization including Canada to Germany Round trip flight reservations, other transport proofs, and entire information of their Germany Itinerary. 
7. Health Travel Insurance of Traveling in the entire Schengen zone covering of minimum € 30.000 – 50,000.00 CAD approx. Schengenvisaiteneray.com is the online link for travel insurance.
8. Accommodation proof of Germany in the form of any Hotel Booking or rental evidence form or any German invite letter with their passport or ID copy. 
9. Proof of financial support in the form of a travelers’ cheque or Canadian bank account’s fresh statement depicting the money spent per head daily of at least 70CAD equating to 45€ in German from the previous 3 months.
10. An offer letter from a business ally in Germany extending not more than 4 weeks with full details of the purpose and schedule of the trip along with details of the associated Germany person including full name and address. 
11. Prepaid Envelope of Xpresspost, shipping Regional Standard to Ontario or National Standard to all other territories.
12. Visa processing charge of 95.00 CAD approx. 

All the documents mentioned till now are mandatory to submit in any situation despite the objective of your visit to Germany,

1. Flight Itinerary,
2. Hotel Booking, and 
3. Travel Insurance

Along with these three utmost important documents.  

NOTE: The documents should not extend a month and all duplicates of original documents should also be presented. 

• For Employees: 

1. Work Agreement. 
2. Minimum 6 months statement from the current bank account.
3. Employer’s Leave permission.
4. Income Tax Return (ITR) documents of salary deducte.

• For the Self-Employed

1. Business license copy.
2. Minimum 6 months company bank statement.
3. ITR- Income Tax Return.

• For International Students in Canada: 

1. Students character certificate or Reference letter from their respected educational institutions of school/college/university. 

• For Retirees:

1. Minimum 6 months pension statement.

• For married to an EU citizen or unemployed:

1. Valid spouse’s passport.
2. Confirmation of job offer from spouse’s employer of not more than 3 months old giving the designation and start date of the employer in the company.
3. A marriage certificate, officially translated into German or English languages and verified by the country’s Consulate of marriage held place.

• For children’s underage:

1. A legal birth certificate.
2. Both parents signed travel consent form. In case of any parent of outside Canada should provide their signed consent form to residing country’s embassy/German consulate. 

NOTE: All the documents are mandatory to be translated with an official translator into German or English Language.

How to apply?

The applicants first need to fill an online visa application form. Further, they must submit the hard copy of this form personally to the German Embassy of your Canadian residence along with all the required documents signed and properly verified. The German embassy will accept your visa application 3 months before you arrive in Germany. 

Where to apply? 

Before applying for a German Visa, the applicants are demanded to fix an appointment in any of the German consulates of Canada. These appointments are mostly to be done by a free online appointment system with an exception in rare cases concerning physical approach.

There are different consulates available in some places of Canada providing consular services particularly accepting the visa applications depending on the residence of Canadian applicants listed below:

1. German Consulate General in Toronto (Long-term Schengen visas)

ADDRESS:

2 Bloor Street East,
25th Floor Toronto, ON M4W 1A8
Canada

CONTACT: 

Telephone: +1 604 684 2231

Fax: +1 604 684 28 06

Email: van.visa@eda.admin.ch

ACCESSED VISA APPLICATIONS FROM RESIDENTS OF: Ontario {except residents of National Capital Region of Ottawa or its counties (Lanark; Leeds and Grenville; Prescott and Russell; Renfrew; Stormont, Dundas, and Glengary)}, and Manitoba.

2. Consulate General of Switzerland in Vancouver (Short-stay Schengen visas)

ADDRESS:

World Trade Centre
790-999 Canada Place Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1 Canada

CONTACT:

Telephone: +1 604 684 2231

Fax: +1 604 684 28 06

Email: van.visa@eda.admin.ch

ACCESSED VISA APPLICATIONS FROM RESIDENTS OF: Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, and Yukon Territory.

3. Embassy of Austria in Ottawa (Schengen short-stay visas)

ADDRESS: 

445 Wilbrod Street, Ottawa,
Ontario K1N 6M7
Canada

CONTACT:

Telephone: +1 613 789 1444

Fax: +1 613 789 3431

ACCESSED VISA APPLICATIONS FROM RESIDENTS OF: Labrador and Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, ALSO FROM SOME COUNTIES OF ONTARIO; Dundas-Glengary, Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Ottawa Region, Renfrew, Russell, Stormont, and the Territory of Nunavut.

Conclusion:

The German embassy will accept your visa application 3 months before your arrival in Germany. Any Schengen Visa application process is completed approx. in 2 weeks duration. All Canadian Residents compulsorily need to apply at the German Consulate General in Toronto.