Germany tourist visa
Required documents, fees and processing time for a Germany tourist Schengen visa when you apply from Canada.
SCHENGEN · VISA C✈ DOCUMENTS
🇩🇪 Germany·····✈·····🇨🇦 from Canada
To
Germany
Type
C · TOURISM
Apply at
CANADA
Centre
VAC
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Action neededTourism — short stay (Type C) · applying from Canada.
Documents ready00 / 09
Competent authority
Depends on province of residence: German Consulate General Toronto (Ontario except eastern, and Manitoba); Austrian Embassy Ottawa represents Germany for Quebec, Atlantic provinces, Nunavut and the Ottawa region; Swiss Consulate General Vancouver represents Germany for Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Yukon and Northwest Territories
Application centre
Mixed: apply directly (by appointment) at German Consulate General Toronto; VFS Global handles applications lodged via the Austrian Embassy Ottawa and the Swiss Consulate General Vancouver (Switzerland via VFS Global since 4 Sep 2025)
Recommended — commonly expected even when not on the official list
Cover letterA letter of introduction stating who you are and why you are travelling.
Fees
Consular (Type C)
€90
Service fee
CA$0
Est. total (adult)
CA$135
Long stay (Type D)
€75
The short-stay (Type C) consular fee is harmonised at €90 for adults across all Schengen states; collected in CAD · centre: direct_consulate.
Fee notes
Consulates General Toronto/Montreal/Vancouver take applications directly (no VAC fee). Ottawa district outsourced to VFS (~C$44). Type D national visa EUR 75 (~C$113).
Timeline
medium confidenceProcessing
15–45 days
End-to-end
4–10 weeks
Centre
VAC
Appointment wait
High-demand; consulate and VFS slots fill roughly 3-4 weeks ahead in peak season, sometimes longer.
Application centre
Mixed. German Consulate General Toronto handles applications directly for its jurisdiction; Ottawa applicants apply via VFS Global; Germany is also represented by the Austrian Embassy (Ottawa area) and the Swiss Consulate General (Vancouver) for some regions.
Timeline notes
Split by jurisdiction: Toronto Consulate books directly, VFS Global for the Ottawa route, plus representation via Austria and Switzerland for certain provinces. Appointment scarcity is the main bottleneck.
Funds to show
high confidenceThe amount you must be able to prove, per the Schengen Borders Code reference amount. It depends only on the destination — not on your nationality or where you apply.
Per day
€45
Minimum
—
In EUR ≈
as shown
Notes
No mandatory per-day reference amount is set; border officials assess each case individually. Where the traveller cannot produce evidence or credible statements, EUR 45 per day should be at their disposal. Onward/return travel must also be ensured. Sponsorship declarations / host guarantees accepted.
Consulates apply discretion and may expect a buffer above this figure — treat it as a floor, not a guarantee.
Funds source ↗⚠ Special cases & caveats
- Canadian citizensNo Schengen visa required for short stays
- Non-Canadian residents (permanent residents / study or work permit holders)Only residents of Canada may apply; PR card or study/work permit must be valid at least 3 months beyond the intended return
- Long-term visitor-record holdersMust show 6+ months continuous residence in Canada and provide a CBSA travel-history report
- MinorsBirth certificate, notarized parental consent declaration if a parent is absent, copies of both parents' passports, application signed by both parents