- German trade fairs & exhibitions visas are a special type of business visa.
- These visas can be issued to exhibitors and visitors at trade fairs and exhibitions in Germany.
- To obtain a trade fair visa, the purpose of the trip must be proven by appropriate documents, including a trade fair pass for exhibitors or a paid trade fair pass for visitors. However, since 2013, an official invitation letter from the trade fair organizer has not been required to grant a visa.
- Further visa granting requirements are proof of Schengen travel health insurance and sufficient financial means to stay in Germany.
- Exhibitors are exempt from paying visa fees.
Visa obligation in Germany
The Schengen Agreement regulates the visa requirement for entry and residence in Germany. The 29 Schengen countries apply uniform criteria for issuing visas. A visa issued by a German embassy entitles the holder to stay in Germany and travel to all other Schengen states.
Except for Cyprus and Ireland, the Schengen member states include all EU countries, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland. The absence of border controls between these countries makes travel within the Schengen area convenient. Travelers from third countries that require a visa only need a visa for one Schengen country but can freely travel in all other Schengen states.
Different visa types are issued for travel to Germany and the Schengen area. Short-term Schengen visas (C visas) entitle the holder to a maximum stay of 90 days and typically cannot be extended. In addition, there are national visas (D visas) for longer-term stays. The German Foreign Office defines the criteria for a D visa.
Exemptions from visa obligation
Most visitors from third countries require a visa to travel to Germany. Exceptions apply to:
- Citizens of the European Union and other Schengen countries and foreign nationals with a residence permit for one of these countries.
- Citizens of third countries with a visa waiver. Travelers from around 60 countries do not need a visa for short-term trips to the Schengen Area. However, as soon as the European Travel Information and Authorization System ETIAS comes into force (probably from May 2025), they must obtain a digital ETIAS travel authorization before entering the country.
German trade fair visa — Schengen visa for short-term stays
A German trade fair visa is a C visa and, thus, a Schengen visa for short-term stays of up to 90 days. Due to the reason for the travel, specific document requirements apply.
It is issued either as a single-entry visa or — if the visa applicant meets certain requirements — as a multiple-entry visa.
A single-entry trade fair visa is issued for a specific period, for example, 1 week or 14 days. After it expires, you must leave Germany and the Schengen Area and apply for a new visa for future travels.
You can get a multiple-entry visa if you can prove frequent participation in fairs or exhibitions. Such a visa entitles you to a stay of a maximum of 90 days within 180 days in Germany or other Schengen countries.
Germany has a reputation as the world’s largest organizer of business fairs and exhibitions. Several German cities are among the top 10 global trade fair locations. The German trade fair industry thus mirrors the global market for many industries. The German government places a high value on market participants having the most free access possible to these trade fairs, which is also reflected in Germany’s high number of trade fair visas.
Visa application process
The German Embassy or a German Consulate in your home country is responsible for issuing German trade fair visas.
In some countries, German missions work with external visa centers to assist them with processing visa applications. In this case, the visa center is your first contact for the visa application. The German Embassy’s website provides all the relevant information about procedures with a visa center.
The application process involves a visa appointment to submit the visa documents and a visa interview, which can usually be arranged online. You must submit true and complete information for a successful visa application.
General visa documents
To apply for a short-term Schengen visa, you will need the following documents (each in the original and with 2 copies):
- Application form
- Valid passport (according to the Schengen passport requirements)
- Copies of the data pages of your travel document
- 2 current biometric passport photos (according to the photo requirements for a Schengen visa)
- Declaration of authenticity of the submitted information
- Schengen travel health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000
- Proof of financial means for the entire stay in the Schengen area
- Flight reservations, train tickets, etc. (outward and return journey)
- Proof of accommodation (e.g., hotel booking or private invitation)
- Proof of marital status: marriage certificate, birth certificates of children (in some countries, German embassies require an official extract from the civil registry)
- If applicable: proof of payment of visa fees
- If applicable: expired passports and copies of previous Schengen visas
Proof of financial means
Depending on your professional status, you can prove that you have sufficient financial means for your stay in different ways:
Employees
- Employment contract
- Salary statements from the last 3 months
- Bank statements from the last 3 months
Entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals
- Proof of ownership or proof of self-employment/freelance work
- Current tax assessments
- Personal bank statements from the last 3 months
The German embassies accept the Declaration of Commitment from a sponsor in Germany as proof of financing. This sponsor can be a company or a private individual who declares this to the responsible German immigration office.
Specific visa documents for fair and exhibition participants
You will need additional documents to prove your planned trip’s purpose and professional status to get a visa to attend German business fairs and exhibitions. These include:
- Paid receipt for the trade fair passport (exhibitor) or a trade fair pass (visitor)
- Marketing materials for the event and information about the visa applicant’s activities in it
- Documents showing the connection between your company profile and the topic of the fair
In addition, some specific requirements depend on whether you are an employee or self-employed:
Employees
- Leave letter from the employer with details of the period of leave
- Information on the purpose and aim of the visit
- Period of desired validity of the visa (if applicable, request for a multiple entry visa)
- Declaration of commitment by the employer to cover the costs
- Personal income tax return
Entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals
- If applicable: certificate of ownership or company registration
- For companies: bank statements of the company bank account for the last 3 months, bank certificate stating that and to what extent the visa applicant is entitled to withdrawals from this account, profit tax declaration
German embassies are authorized to demand additional or country-specific documents for visa issuance. Before you apply for the visa, you should check with the embassy about the required documents.
Processing time and visa fees for trade fair visa
German embassies typically process applications for a trade fair visa within 14 days. The embassy’s website provides exact information about the processing time.
In urgent cases, quick processing of your visa application is possible in some—but not all—countries, provided that you can prove with appropriate documents that you or your employer have only decided to participate at short notice. Visa centers offer priority visa services for an additional fee to business people and, thus, also to professional trade fair visitors.
For a trade fair visa, as for other Schengen short-term visas, you pay a fee of €90. No visa fees apply to exhibitors with an official trade fair pass and to exhibition stand constructors.
Conclusion
Germany’s trade fair visa is essential for exhibitors and visitors from non-EU countries who wish to participate in one of the world’s leading trade fair industries. With streamlined requirements, visa fee exemptions for exhibitors, and the possibility of multiple-entry visas for regular participants, Germany facilitates business networking and global market access. However, applicants must meet all documentation and financial requirements. Planning ahead and submitting a complete application is key to a smooth visa process.
Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ
In principle, yes. However, there may be country-specific differences in the documents required to prove the purpose of the trip, as well as the registration and tax status of companies and self-employed individuals. The requirements of the embassies are also based on the legal regulations of the respective country.
In this case, the German Embassy requires proof that you regularly travel to business fairs and exhibitions in Germany. With the application for a multiple-entry visa, you must submit documentation of your travel history with previous Schengen visas and proof of your fair and exhibition visits. If you or your employer has long-term business relations with German business partners, consider alternatively applying for a regular business visa for multiple entries.
You also must apply for a business fair & exhibitions visa. In this case, a few more documents are required for the visa application:
- Contract between the exhibiting company and the company that was commissioned with the stand construction (i.e., your company or your employer)
- Documents about the exhibiting company: exhibitor pass, stand confirmation, and proof of payment of the stand fees or a letter of confirmation from the exhibiting company (with a confirmation from the trade fair organizer or a foreign representative)
In principle, yes, if visiting the trade fair is the sole reason for their trip. However, it makes more sense for them to apply for a tourist visa, as significantly less documentation is required for this. Minor applicants require the consent of both parents.
