Germany to change visa system to make it hassle-free: envoy

Getting a visa to Germany is likely be easier for Indians by next year, especially in places where it does not have a Mission.
"The good news is that we will change the (visa) system. We will outsource huge parts of the system to get visa. This will start in half a year," German Ambassador to India Michael Steiner said here during an interactive session with students of Kashmir University.
Steiner admitted that the present system of obtaining a German visa was cumbersome for people living in areas where there is no embassy or consulate of the country.
He said the new system will allow the German embassy to reach out to places where it has no presence as of now.

"We will then be present in places where we don't have a general consulate or embassy including Srinagar. So that should be much easier," he said.
He said changes in the visa regime will need some time to be effected.
"Give us some time because it is a very complicated process. We cannot totally renounce on visa (regime) because, otherwise, the social system in Germany will not (be able to) carry it," he said.