How can I apply for a Schengen visa in Thailand for Germany?

Do you want to invite your Thai friends to Germany? Or are you from Thailand and wish to exchange the palm-lined beaches for the German Wadden Sea? Then you're probably wondering how to apply for a Schengen visa in Thailand. In this article, you'll find everything about the Schengen visa for Thais: the different visas for Germany, as well as requirements, costs, and tips for the visa application. With this guide, you'll be well-prepared for your trip to Germany and other Schengen countries!

Contents:

• Do Thais need a visa for Germany?
• Which Schengen visa should I apply for in Thailand?
• Which documents do Thais need for a visa to Germany?
• What else should I consider when applying in Thailand?
• Where do I apply for the Schengen visa in Thailand?
• How long does it take to process the Schengen visa in Thailand?
• How much does a visa from Thailand to Germany cost?
• What can I do if my visa application in Thailand is denied?
• Schengen visa Thailand: Travel insurance is mandatory! 

Do Thais need a visa for Germany?

Yes, Thai nationals need a visa to enter Germany. Germany is part of the Schengen Area, and Thai citizens must hold a Schengen visa to enter for tourism, business, or visiting purposes.

An exception applies for airport transit. For this, Thais do not need a visa (Source: German Embassy Bangkok). If you are not from Thailand, you can check our list of visa-requiring countries to see whether you need a Schengen visa for Germany.

Which Schengen visa should I apply for in Thailand?

Do you need to apply for a tourist visa, a visitor visa, or a work visa in Thailand? The type of Schengen visa you need to apply for in Thailand depends on the purpose and duration of your trip.

In general, the Schengen visa can be divided into two types: a short-term visa for stays up to 90 days and a long-term visa for stays up to 180 days in Germany. Depending on the purpose of your trip to Germany, you must apply for either one or the other.

1. Short-term visa: Schengen visa type C

If you plan to stay in Germany for less than 90 days and do not work, apply for the Schengen visa type C for Germany (also known as a short-term visa). This visa cannot generally be extended.

You can apply for a Schengen visa type C for the following travel purposes:

• Tourist visa for Thais: The tourist visa is for Thai travelers who want to visit Germany to explore all aspects of the country. This visa allows a short stay for tourist purposes.
   
• Business visa for Thais: Thais traveling for business and invited by a German company or trade fair exhibitor must apply for a business visa. This includes meetings, conferences, negotiations, and other business activities. It is important to clearly state the purpose of the business trip during the application process.
   
• Visitor visa for Thais: The visitor visa is for Thais who want to visit friends or family in Germany. The same applies if you want to invite your Thai friend to Germany. For the visa application, the Thai guest will need an invitation letter, and it is important to demonstrate the relationship with the host and clarify the purpose of the visit.
   
• Transit visa for Thais: If your trip to Germany includes a stop in another Schengen country, a transit visa is required. This allows for a limited stay during the transit.
  
  ❗Note: If you're staying in the transit area of a German airport, you do not need a visa as a Thai citizen!
   
• Medical visa for Thais: If you plan to enter Germany from Thailand for medical treatment, apply for a medical treatment visa for Germany. If the treatment is expected to last more than 90 days, you should apply for a long-term visa (which we explain in the next section).

2. Long-term visa: Schengen visa type D

If you plan to stay in Germany for more than 90 days or intend to live and work permanently in Germany, apply for the Schengen visa type D (also known as a long-term visa or national visa for Germany). This visa allows a stay of up to 180 days in Germany (and up to 90 days in other Schengen countries). This visa can, under certain conditions, be converted into a residence permit for Germany.

You can apply for Schengen visa type D for the following travel purposes:

• Marriage visa for Thais: If you intend to marry in Germany, apply for a marriage visa in Thailand for Germany.
   
• Work visa for Thais: If you're taking up work (even for minor jobs like Au-Pair or internships), you must apply for a work visa in Thailand for Germany.
   
• Family reunification visa for Thais: If you want your spouse or children from Thailand to join you in Germany, apply for a family reunification visa for Germany in Thailand.
   
• Student visa for Thais: If you want to attend a language course, start a degree program, or engage in academic activities lasting more than 3 months, apply for a student visa in Thailand for Germany.

What documents do Thai nationals need for a visa to Germany?

For the visa application, Thai nationals must carefully compile a variety of documents. The exact requirements may vary depending on the visa type and purpose of travel, but generally, the following documents are always required:

• Passport: A valid passport with at least three months' validity beyond the intended departure date.
   
• Visa application form: The completed and signed visa application form for Germany. This form is available for download on the official website of the German Embassy in Thailand.
   
• Biometric passport photos: Recent biometric passport photos that meet the German authorities' specifications.
   
• Travel confirmation: A confirmation of the travel booking, including the outbound and return flights, and possibly hotel reservations.
   
• Invitation letter: For various visa types, especially for visitor and business visas, an invitation letter is often required. In the case of a business visa, this is usually issued by the German partner company.
   
• Financial proof: Proof of sufficient financial means for the planned stay in Germany. This can be done through bank statements, employment records, or other income proof.
   
• Travel health insurance: Valid health insurance that is valid for the entire duration of the stay in the Schengen area and provides a minimum coverage of €30,000.

❗Important: This list only covers the basic documents for a Schengen visa application in Thailand! For many types of visas (especially national visas), you will need to provide additional documents and evidence. Therefore, we always recommend that you check the exact requirements on this German Embassy page (at the very bottom) or consult the official partner VFS.

What else should I consider when applying in Thailand?

You can obtain the application forms for free at the embassy or fill out your application online directly through Videx (for short-stay visas and long-stay visas). Please note that only fully completed visa applications can be processed! Since you are likely required to submit additional documents for a national visa application for Thai nationals, you should expect these to be translated into German by a certified translator.

Important: The German diplomatic missions warn against "flying traders" offering translation services in front of the embassy. Instead, the embassy has provided a list of interpreters and translators whose services are recognized by the embassy.

Where do I apply for a Schengen visa in Thailand?

If you have your usual residence in Thailand and wish to travel to Germany with a Schengen visa, you should contact the German Foreign Office in Bangkok or the official partner of the German diplomatic missions in Thailand, VFS GLOBAL. Depending on whether you are applying for a short-stay visa or a long-stay visa, you must contact the service provider or the German Embassy itself.

If you plan to visit several countries in Europe that are part of the so-called Schengen Area, you can only apply for the visa at the German Embassy if Germany is your main destination. If your primary stay is in one of the other 27 Schengen countries, you must contact the embassy of the respective country.

For example: If your main destination is Austria (Austria is part of the Schengen Area), you must apply for a Schengen visa in Thailand for Austria – at the Austrian authorities in Thailand. If your main stay is in Switzerland (Switzerland is also part of the Schengen Area), you should contact the Swiss Embassy in Thailand.

1. Where to apply for a short-stay visa in Thailand?

The German diplomatic missions collaborate with VFS GLOBAL for short-stay visas (Schengen visas type C for stays up to 90 days). However, the decision on whether your visa is approved still lies with the German authorities. Therefore, if you are applying for a German visitor visa, tourist visa, or business visa in Thailand, you should contact the service partner VFS GLOBAL for appointment scheduling and application submission.

The VFS Global visa centers provide appointments quickly and easily (Call center: +66 2 460 7058), assist with completing applications, and are located at three different locations in Thailand (please check the current address on the Foreign Office website):

• Visa center in Bangkok:
  Chamchuri Square, 4th floor, Phayathai Road, Phatumwan, Bangkok 10330
• Visa center in Phuket:
  5th Floor, CCM Complex, No. 77/77, Village No. 5, Chalern Prakiat Rama 9 Road, Ratsada Sub-district, Mueang District, Phuket 83000
• Visa center in Chiang Mai:
  191 Siripanich, 6B Floor, Huay Kaew Road, Suthep Muang, Chiang Mai 50200

❗Good to know: VFS GLOBAL handles the entire application process for Schengen visas in Thailand – your fingerprints will also be taken here. If you have traveled to the Schengen Area within the last 59 months and your fingerprints have already been registered, the personal appointment for the application will be waived, and you can conveniently submit your application by post!

2. Where to apply for a long-stay visa in Thailand?

The German Embassy in Bangkok also collaborates with VFS GLOBAL for national long-stay visas. Depending on the purpose of the visa, either the visa office of the embassy or the partner VFS is responsible.

On this page of the German Embassy in Bangkok, all types of long-stay visas and the responsible authority are listed. Since more categories are planned to be outsourced to external service providers in the future, we recommend consulting the embassy's page to find out where you should book your appointment for the visa application.

• Address of the German Embassy in Bangkok (including the visa office):
  9 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120
  Appointment scheduling system of the Foreign Office Bangkok

If it is unclear where to book your appointment to submit a visa application, please contact the visa office of the embassy in Bangkok by email.

How long does the processing of a Schengen visa take in Thailand?

For a Schengen visa application in Thailand, you should expect a processing time of 15 days for short-stay visas. However, processing may take longer if there are holidays or a high volume of applications! Therefore, apply for your Schengen visa in Thailand in good time. You can apply for your visa up to six months before your planned trip to Germany.

For a long-stay visa (national visa), you should expect a processing time of two to three months. In some cases, consultation with the immigration office at your future residence in Germany may be required, which is why the application process takes longer. Student visas are usually decided and approved within three weeks. However, we still recommend submitting your visa application as early as possible.

What does a visa from Thailand to Germany cost?

Regular fees:

• For a Schengen Visa Type C, the fee is 80 Euros.
• For a Schengen Visa Type D (national visa), the fee is 75 Euros.

Reduced fees:

• Children from 6 to 18 years old pay only half. So 40 Euros for Schengen Visa Type C and 37.50 Euros for national visas.

Fee-exempt:

• All children under 6 years old
• Visa applications for spouses, registered partners, and minor unmarried children of Germans
• Parents of minor Germans are processed without charge
• Visa applications for spouses and children of EU/EEA nationals with free movement rights

❗Good to know: In addition to the visa fee, you must pay a service fee for the VFS GLOBAL visa center (if you book your appointment through the partner). The service fee is 15 Euros for Schengen Visa Type C and 30 Euros for national visas. In Phuket and Chiang Mai, there is a service fee of 40 Euros for all visa categories.

The fees must be paid in cash at the German Embassy on-site in Thai Baht. At VFS Global, you also have other payment options. Your fee will not be refunded, even if the visa application is rejected or withdrawn!

How long can a Thai citizen stay in Germany?

For short-stay visas (Schengen Visa Type C), the 90/180-day rule applies. Within 180 days, you may stay for a maximum of 90 days in Germany and other Schengen countries. To calculate your stay precisely, you can use the European Commission's stay calculator. Be sure to check your visa label and the number of stay days listed on your visa, as these may vary!

Example: If the maximum stay duration on the visa sticker is 60 days, and the period is from March 1st to May 15th, this means that you can stay for a maximum of 60 days in Germany and the Schengen Zone during this period!

Long-term visas (Schengen Visa Type D or national visas) are usually issued for up to 180 days. However, this period can be shorter depending on the purpose and duration of your stay in Germany. Therefore, check the details on your visa label! With a long-term visa, you may also stay up to 90 days in other Schengen countries during your stay. Additionally, under certain conditions, you can convert your long-term visa into a residence permit at the Foreigners' Office in Germany. But make sure your visa is still valid at that time!

What can I do if my visa application is rejected in Thailand?

Remonstration is a formal appeal against the rejection of a visa application. If your visa application in Thailand has been rejected by the German authorities and you believe the decision is unjustified, you can submit a remonstration request. Pay attention to the deadline for remonstration, which is stated in your rejection notice, and submit a written request for remonstration. In it, you should explain why you believe the rejection is unjustified. Attach all relevant documents and evidence that support your argument.

❗Good to know: If your visa is rejected, AXA will refund your payment for the travel health insurance!

Schengen Visa Thailand: Travel insurance is mandatory!

You absolutely need adequate insurance in the form of a Schengen Visa travel health insurance, otherwise, your visa application will be immediately rejected. The destination countries protect themselves against costs that could arise during your trip in case of a medical emergency.

The German Embassy has created a list of travel insurance providers that are accepted by the foreign representations of Schengen countries. This includes AXA Schengen insurance policies, which are available in three variants:

• The AXA Low-Cost Insurance: This covers the required minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros in case of a medical emergency. As a low-cost option, this protection starts from 22 Euros per week of travel.
• The Europe Health Insurance Europe Travel: This option offers extended coverage with a sum insured of 100,000 Euros. You pay 33 Euros per week of travel.
• The AXA Annual Travel Insurance Multi Trip: If you're a frequent traveler and spend time in the Schengen Zone multiple times a year, the annual insurance with a coverage of 100,000 Euros could be ideal for you. For one year, the fee is 328 Euros.

You may also be interested in these articles

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• How do I write an invitation for a German visa?
• How can I apply for a visa for Germany from Russia?
• How can I apply for a visa for Germany from Turkey?
• How can I apply for a visa for Germany from China?
• How do I apply for a German visa as an Egyptian?
• How do I apply for a German visa from Morocco?
• Schengen Visa Germany: Everything you need to know at a glance
• Business Visa for Germany: How to apply for your business visa

FAQ: Schengen Visa Thailand

How can I enter Germany from Thailand?

If you want to travel to Germany and the Schengen area, you can apply for the Schengen Visa for Thai citizens in Thailand. If your trip lasts less than 90 days, you should apply for the Schengen Visa in Thailand. If you plan a longer stay for studying, an Au-Pair stay, starting work, or getting married, you should apply for the national visa in Thailand.

My Schengen visa for Thailand was denied. Can I get a refund for the insurance fees?

The AXA Schengen Travel Insurance will refund your payment if your Schengen visa application for Thailand was denied. However, you will need to request a written explanation from the consular authorities. Attach a copy of the statement to your documents so that AXA can initiate the refund. The refund will be processed via the same payment method (e.g., credit card) used for the original purchase.

Is a digital certificate of the insurance coverage sufficient to apply for my Schengen visa?

Yes, simply print the digital certificate and include it with your visa application. Each AXA Schengen insurance policy is personalized and has a number that can be verified online on our website.