PHOTO GUIDE

Germany Short-stay Schengen Visa (Type C) — Applying from Japan

Applying from Japan for a Germany short-stay Schengen visa (Type C): VIDEX form, jurisdiction by residence, appointment, fee, and biometrics at the German Embassy Tokyo or Consulate General Osaka-Kobe. National visas (Type D) follow a different process and are not covered here. Photo size and quality rules are on the global Germany visa photo page.

Last Updated: 2026-07-13

Quick requirements

Scope: this page is for residents of Japan applying for a Germany short-stay Schengen visa (Type C). It covers the application steps, not the photo specification itself — for the 35×45 mm size and face 70–80% rules, see the Germany photo-requirements page.
Flow: complete the VIDEX online application form, book an appointment through the Federal Foreign Office system, and attend in person. Your fingerprints and a photo are captured at the appointment.
Jurisdiction by residence: the Embassy Tokyo covers prefectures from Niigata, Nagano and Shizuoka eastward; the Consulate General Osaka-Kobe covers Toyama, Gifu and Aichi westward. You cannot apply at the other office for your district.
Copies: the Tokyo “Tourist visit to Germany” required-documents list asks for one printed passport photograph meeting strict biometric requirements; keeping a spare is practical.
Fee and timing: 90 EUR payable in yen at the official rate on the day; applications can be filed from 6 months before travel and should be lodged at least 15 days before departure; processing usually takes about two weeks.
Return envelope: bring one as instructed — Letterpack PLUS for Tokyo, or a self-addressed takkyubin cash-on-delivery DIN A4 envelope for Osaka-Kobe.
Biometrics: under 12, fingerprints are not taken, but the child must still attend and a compliant photo is part of the file. Previous fingerprints taken within 59 months may be reused, but the office can require a new capture.

Who this page is for

This page is for people who live in Japan and are applying for a Germany short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) — a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Japanese nationals holding a valid Japanese passport do not need a visa for such stays.

Long-stay or residence visas (National Visa, Type D) use a different document list and a different procedure on the Federal Foreign Office portal; this page does not cover them. If Germany is the main destination of a multi-country Schengen trip, you apply to Germany.

VIDEX form and required documents

Complete the VIDEX online application form (German or English version), print it, and sign it. The Tokyo “Tourist visit to Germany” required-documents checklist lists, alongside the form: passport, Japanese residence card, bank statements, health insurance, an employer or reference letter, and travel, hotel and flight reservations.

The same checklist asks for one printed passport photograph meeting the strict biometric requirements. A digital photo is also part of the VIDEX form, but the paper print is still part of the file you bring. For the photo size (35×45 mm) and face 70–80% rules, see the Germany photo-requirements page; confirming the live embassy checklist before you book is recommended.

Where to apply: jurisdiction and appointment

Book an appointment through the German Federal Foreign Office appointment system and attend in person. Jurisdiction is split by residence: the Embassy Tokyo covers prefectures from Niigata, Nagano and Shizuoka eastward, while the Consulate General Osaka-Kobe covers Toyama, Gifu and Aichi westward.

You cannot apply at the other office for your district, so confirm which office covers your place of residence before booking.

Fee, timing and return envelope

The visa fee is 90 EUR, payable in yen at the official rate on the day of application. Applications can be filed from 6 months before travel and should be lodged at least 15 days before departure; processing usually takes about two weeks.

Bring a return envelope as instructed by the office: Letterpack PLUS for the Embassy Tokyo, or a self-addressed takkyubin cash-on-delivery DIN A4 envelope for the Consulate General Osaka-Kobe.

Biometrics, fingerprints and children

Your fingerprints and a photo are captured during the appointment. This biometric capture is separate from the one compliant print you bring for the file.

Children under 12 are not subject to fingerprinting, but the child must still attend the appointment and a compliant photo is part of the file. Previous fingerprints taken within 59 months may be reused, but the office can require a new capture if quality is poor.

Where to apply for a Germany short-stay Schengen visa from Japan

The German Embassy Tokyo and the Consulate General Osaka-Kobe handle short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) applications from residents of Japan. Applications are submitted in person by appointment booked through the German Federal Foreign Office appointment system, with jurisdiction split by the applicant's place of residence. The Tokyo tourist-visa required-documents checklist sets the document list, including one printed passport photograph meeting strict biometric requirements.

This app helps users prepare photo files based on publicly available requirements. It does not submit visa applications, and it is not an official government service, Schengen authority, embassy, consulate, VFS Global, TLScontact, or BLS International service. Please verify the latest requirements with the official embassy, consulate, or visa application center before submitting.

Related country guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I submit a Germany visa application in Japan?

Complete the VIDEX form, book an appointment, and attend in person. Residents from Niigata, Nagano and Shizuoka eastward apply at the German Embassy Tokyo; residents from Toyama, Gifu and Aichi westward apply at the Consulate General Osaka-Kobe. You cannot apply at the other office for your district.

How many photos do I need for a Germany visa from Japan?

The Tokyo “Tourist visit to Germany” required-documents list asks for one printed passport photograph meeting strict biometric requirements. Prepare one compliant print; keeping a spare is practical.

Is a paper photo required, or is the digital photo in VIDEX enough?

Yes, a paper print is required. The Tokyo tourist-visa checklist asks for one printed passport photograph meeting the strict biometric requirements. A digital photo is part of the VIDEX form, but the paper print is still part of the file you bring.

Is the biometric capture separate from the photo I bring?

Yes. You bring one compliant print for the file, and your fingerprints plus a live photo are captured at the appointment. Under 12, fingerprints are not taken, but the child must attend and the photo is captured.

When can I apply and how long does processing take?

Applications can be filed from 6 months before travel and should be lodged at least 15 days before departure. Processing usually takes about two weeks.

How much is the Germany Schengen visa fee in Japan?

The fee is 90 EUR, payable in yen at the official rate on the day of application. The rate is set by the office, not by this service.

Do children need to attend the appointment and provide fingerprints?

Children must attend the appointment and a compliant photo is captured as part of biometrics. Under 12, fingerprints are not taken. Previous fingerprints taken within 59 months may be reused, but the office can require a new capture.

Can I apply at either the Tokyo or Osaka-Kobe office?

No. Jurisdiction is split by residence: the Embassy Tokyo covers prefectures from Niigata, Nagano and Shizuoka eastward, and the Consulate General Osaka-Kobe covers Toyama, Gifu and Aichi westward. Apply at the office that covers where you live.

Official and submission sources

All guides

Prepare the photo for your Germany visa

Make a 35×45 mm print with the face at 70–80% for your Germany short-stay Schengen visa application. This app does not submit applications or guarantee approval.

Make a Germany visa photo