Germany Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey- 6 Steps to Apply For a Schengen Visa

The consulate general of Germany in Istanbul is one of 498 foreign representations where applicants can process anything from visas to Passports. Germany consulate in Turkey which has processed huge number of Germany Schengen Visa applications. From June 25, 2021 it will be possible for people from Turkey to enter Germany with vaccines against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 fully vaccinated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Fully vaccinated persons can then also re-enter Germany for visiting and tourist purposes. Germany is one of the 26 member Schengen country based on the Schengen agreement. Schengen or the Schengen area are the territories of the States which are signatories to the Schengen Agreement. The Schengen States have a common visa policy. A general visa is used in Schengen. This means that a person only needs one visa to travel within the Schengen area. From the first day of membership in Schengen, all Germany visa services issue Schengen visas and carry out checks in the Schengen Information System, including consultations of Schengen visas in the VIS mail system. Germany Consulate in Istanbul has an agreement with  iData Although the procedure for all Schengen visa applications is almost similar but before applying for visa, it’s better to go through all the information related to that particular consulate. In this blog we are going to discuss that how we can apply for Schengen visa at Germany Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey

Schengen visa (2019) stats issued at Germany consulate In Istanbul, Turkey

Who can Apply Schengen Visa from Germany Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey

Visa applicants who reside near Istanbul, Turkey are eligible to apply for a Schengen visa from Germany Consulate in Istanbul. Travelers with Turkey Visit visas are not eligible to apply and they need to apply from their home country.

All nationals of countries whose citizens are subject to Schengen visa obligation who are legally present in Turkey can present a justification for lodging an application in Turkey rather than in their country of residence. Germany Consulate in Istanbul has the right to evaluate the justification provided and to receive or not the visa applications.

Germany consulate in Istanbul has now outsourced all visa processing to IData and they will process visa application for Germany Schengen Business visa

1) Consulate General of Germany in Istanbul, Turkey

Address

Inönü Caddesi, 10
34437 Gümüssuyu
PK 6
Beyoglu
34431 Istanbul
Turkey

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (+90) (212) 334 61 00
(+90) (212) 334 61 67 (Visa)

View on Google maps ->

2) At the iData Germany Visa Application Center Istanbul, Turkey

Address

Opaş, Altunizade Mah. Mahir İz Cad. Shibuya Sokak, Ziya Avcı İş Merkezi No:5/6, 34662 Üsküdar, Turkey

IData visa application center at Istanbul, Turkey allows to make appointments between 9 am to 5:00 pm, according to availability. Access is restricted to applicants who have an appointment confirmed by the Embassy or whose interview has been scheduled through the Visa Centre. Please, always remember to print and bring your appointment confirmation received from the Embassy or from the Visa Centre. Proof of appointment will be asked both by guards at the main gate on the street and by security at the entrance of the Embassy.

Visa Application Fee Structure for Germany Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey

Application fee is collected on behalf of the Embassy of Germany in Turkey

Visa fee can be paid only by TL or € and only cash

IData Coordination Fee:

Applicants lodging the visa application at the iData Germany Visa Application Centre also need to pay a iData coordination fee as service charge in Turkish Lira (TL) which is 342 TL(Ages 6 years and above) for submission and can be paid in cash or credit card for applicants applying at the visa application center.

Visa Application Processing time by German Consulate

The Embassy of Germany processes Schengen tourist and business visa applications within 15 calendar days, eventually extendible to 30 days. For national visas processing requires up to 30 days for family reunion and salaried work, and up to 120 days for self-employment work

Schengen Visa Types issued by Germany Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey

Schengen visas are issued for about 90 day or less depending the reasons for applying visa which are explained below. National visa is also issued which has the duration longer than 90 days.

Visa Applicants can choose category depending on below reasons

• Visiting Italy- This visa is issues for tourism/vacation purposes
• Business Visa- This visa is issues for professional/work related purposes
• Schengen cultural visa- This visa for attending events
• Study Visa – This visa is used for training or study purpose
• Airport transit visa- This visa is used for transit
• Family visa- This visa is issues for meeting family
• Sports visa- This visa is issued for sports person
• Medical visa- This visa is issued for receiving medical treatments

Can Schengen Visa be Used for Multiple Entry or Single Entry?

Consulates offer Schengen visa depending on reasons applied for, documents submitted and the fees paid.  Below are categories applicants can get

Multiple Entry Visa – Traveler can enter Schengen country any number of times within 90 days

Single Entry Visa – Traveler can enter Schengen country only once within 90 days

Can a third party submit my visa application for me?

Personal appearance is mandatory for all visa applicants, unless you are exempt from biometric data entry. Exemptions from the fingerprinting requirement are provided for a limited number of applicants, including children under the age of twelve and persons for whom the collection of fingerprints is physically impossible. Heads of State and members of the national government with members of their official delegation and spouses will also be exempted, if travelling for official purposes.

6 Steps to apply Schengen Visa Application from Germany Embassy in Istanbul

Applying for Schengen business Visa is a simple and quick process if you prepare documentation carefully. If you follow steps below you can apply visa without any worries. You need to apply atleast 2 -3 weeks prior to travel date so that you give enough time for embassy to process your application

Step 1: Choose right visa category and Complete Schengen visa application

Applying for a Germany Schengen Visa, your main destination should be Germany. Depending on your reason for trip select the right Schengen visa type for traveling to Germany. Fill the Schengen Visa Application for the selected visa type. Print the form and attach a photo. Note that these documents will be requested when submitting your visa application to the IData center.

Step 2: Prepare for supported documents

One of the most critical steps for getting visa is to get all required documents which need to be submitted along with your visa application. Below is the list of documents needed which may be needed depending on visa type.

1. Passport size photo
2. Schengen Visa application form
3. Valid Passport – with at least 6 months validity having 2 blank pages
4. Flight Reservation for Germany Schengen Visa
5. Hotel Reservation
6. Proof of sufficient funds
7. Invitation letter
8. Travel Medical Insurance For Schengen visa
9. Address proof
10. Employment certificate
11. Marriage/ Birth certificate

Step 3: Make an appointment with the iData Visa Application center in Istanbul, Turkey

Go to the iData website and click Get Your Appointment button, select Germany consulate, choose residential city, choose iData office location, choose VIP or normal service based on your urgency, select visa purposes (Tourist, business, medical etc), select number of persons and click forward button. In the next page enter name, personal email address, Date of Birth, passport number and click forward button. Book an appointment by selecting day and time at your convenience and pay the visa fees to attend visa interview at IData center, Istanbul, Turkey. Don’t forget to print your appointment confirmation letter, as it will be required at our reception area.

Refer the below queries on appointments

1. What to do with an appointment with PNR number which I received when travel restriction was in place?

If you think your appointment day and time is not working for visa interview, you can create or cancel your new appointment for July or August by selecting a later date and time at https://schengen.idata.com.tr/tr/editappointment. You can follow your appointment date via the information or https://schengen.idata.com.tr/tr/editappointment to your e-mail address.

2. Are the Covid-19 restrictions taken away. Can I apply for a Schengen Visa and make an appointment for visa interview?

You can enter the required information correctly by pressing the “Make An Appointment” button above to apply for a visa in July 2021 and make an appointment to apply from our office in Turkey for the date and time you want.

3. I haven’t completed my vaccination, Can I still apply for visas from all categories?

Yes, there is no requirement for vaccination to be completed at the time of applying for a visa. However, airlines and/or border passport checkpoints review that you were vaccinated only with one of the vaccines listed on the Paul Ehrlich Institute’s (PEI) website and that it has been at least 14 days since the second dose was administered. Please make your Schengen visa flight itinerary with this information in mind and with these documents with you.

4. I want to do payment by credit card to apply for a Schengen visa and make an appointment be deducted from the service fee at the time of application?

Yes, your payment is not an extra payment and will be deducted from the iData service charge when you arrive at our offices for your Schengen visa application.

5. Are there any changes to the required Schengen visa documents due to the pandemic?

You can check the necessary documents information via the link https://idata.com.tr/de/tr/p/gerekli-evraklar-de.

Step 4: Attend Schengen Visa Interview at iData Visa Center for Germany Consulate in Istanbul

Go through few important and most frequently asked question by visa officer during interview. Below is the list of frequently asked questions

• Purpose of Your Trip?
• Is anyone sponsoring your trip?
• How long do you stay?
• Do you regularly pay your income tax?
• Can you provide your bank statement?

To refer detailed interview questions, check out Schengen visa interview questions

What To Do on the Date of Visa Interview

Go to iData Germany Visa application center in Istanbul, Turkey on the date of interview atleast 30 min before your interview so that you can relax and have an overview of the location to get yourself comfortable. Ensure you got all required documents along with photocopies for your visa application. During the interview process you may be required to give biometrics data depending on embassy requirements. After the biometrics is done you need to pay the required Schengen visa fee & service fee and submit your application.

Step 5: Processing the visa Application

At iData visa application center for Germany Consulate, you will be taken care of by an agent who will check that all the documents necessary for your application are present in your file. A fact sheet will be given to you. If your file is complete, your application will be forwarded to the Embassy.

If documents are missing or do not meet the requirements of the Embassy General of Germany, you can:

• Request the shipment despite everything the application, at the risk of losing the visa application fee and being refused by the Embassy;
• Withdraw your application and recover the visa application fee. You will be able to re-file a complete application at a later date.

If you decide to send your file to the Embassy, you will proceed, after payment of the fees, to deposit your biometric data directly with the iData Visa center.

Step 6: Return of Passport

You can track the progress of your application using track your Germany Schengen visa application. Applicants can use the barcode present on the invoice/receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre along with your Passport to access this service. Once your visa application is decided by the Consulate General of Germany, your passport will be returned to the IData visa application Centre or have your documents returned to you by courier (if offered by the Visa Application Centre) for an additional fee. You will be notified to collect your passport either in person or through a representative. In some cases, due to incomplete/insufficient supported documents provided, visa application can be rejected.

What happens if Schengen Visa is refused

Negative decisions on applications are notified to the applicant. In the refusal letter reasons on which refusal decision was taken are clearly stated. Visa applicants whose applications are refused can decide to apply again or to appeal.

Below are some of the reasons of Schengen Visa Rejection

• Inadequate explanation of the traveling purpose
• Lack of financial proof to support trip cost
• Invalid passport or Passport expiring in 2 months
• No travel insurance covering trip
• Did not provide accommodation proof
• Missing documents

If your Schengen Visa is rejected for some reason then you can re-apply Schengen Visa by following the article Help With Schengen Visa Rejection

Summary:

Apply Schengen Visa process at Germany Consulate, Istanbul Turkey is simple and you need to work with IData to submit your application by following this article. Hopefully your visa will be approved and you can enjoy your trip with family, friends & others. Holders of a new Schengen visa, or of a Schengen visa still valid, therefore, are not automatically allowed to enter Germany and Schengen territory and must comply with the travel restrictions in force at Schengen level and at the level of the country of first entry into the Schengen area because of Covid pandemic. It is indeed the responsibility of each traveler to check the travel restrictions in place before departure