Once you have completed your B2 German language training and received a Contract of Labour (COL) from a German hospital, the next step is your visa application at the German Consulate in India. This is where preparation matters. The German consulate is thorough - they review every document carefully, and incomplete or incorrect submissions are returned, causing delays of weeks or even months.
This checklist is specific to the Section 16d Recognition Visa, which is the standard route for Indian nurses going to Germany through structured placement programmes. Every document listed here serves a specific purpose in the visa application. We explain not just what to submit, but why each document is needed - so you can prepare confidently.
These are the foundational documents that establish who you are and confirm your Indian citizenship. The German consulate requires original documents with self-attested photocopies.
| Document | What to Submit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Original + 2 photocopies of data page | Must be valid for at least 12 months beyond your intended travel date |
| Passport-size photographs | 3–4 recent colour photographs | White background, taken within last 3 months, matching specifications on consulate website |
| Aadhaar Card | Copy | Secondary ID - may be requested |
| PAN Card | Copy | May be requested as supporting ID |
These documents prove that you have a recognised nursing qualification from India. The German recognition authority will assess your degree against German nursing standards. All documents must be official, not self-printed copies.
| Document | What to Submit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Degree Certificate | Notarised copy + translation into German | GNM or BSc Nursing - from your university/board |
| Nursing Registration Certificate | Notarised copy + German translation | Issued by the Indian Nursing Council (INC) or State Nursing Council |
| Academic Transcripts / Mark Sheets | Notarised copies + German translations | All semesters/years of your nursing programme |
| Internship / Clinical Training Certificate | Notarised copy + German translation | Issued by your training hospital or institution |
| Experience Letter(s) | Notarised copies + German translation | From every hospital/clinic you have worked at after graduation |
Germany requires B2-level German proficiency for nursing jobs. Your language certificate is a non-negotiable part of the visa application. Without it, neither the employer nor the consulate can proceed.
| Document | What to Submit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| B2 Language Certificate | Original + copy | TELC B2 Pflege (Healthcare German) or Goethe B2 - both are accepted |
| A1–B1 Certificates (optional) | Copies | Not mandatory, but can support your application if requested |
Jet Set Jobs provides free A1 to B2 German language training through our online LMS platform, with many C1-certified trainers and 20+ active batches. By the time you complete your training with us, you will have the required B2 certificate from a recognised examination board.
These are the documents that come from your German employer - the hospital or care facility that has offered you a job. These are critical. Without a valid job offer in writing, the Section 16d visa cannot be processed.
| Document | What to Submit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Contract of Labour (COL) / Job Offer Letter | Original + copy | On hospital letterhead, signed and stamped - confirms job offer and salary |
| Employer Commitment Letter | Original + copy | Confirms employer will support recognition process in Germany |
| Company Registration / Proof of Employer | Copy | Evidence that the German hospital/facility is a registered, legitimate employer |
At Jet Set Jobs, we partner exclusively with verified German hospitals and care providers. The Contract of Labour you receive comes from employer partners who are experienced in hiring Indian nurses and are fully compliant with German immigration requirements.
Apostille is the process of certifying Indian documents so they are legally recognised in Germany (a Hague Convention signatory country). Certain key documents must be apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India before you submit your visa application.
| Document Requiring Apostille | Issuing Authority for Apostille |
|---|---|
| Nursing Degree Certificate | MEA, New Delhi (or your state's designated authority) |
| Nursing Registration Certificate | MEA, New Delhi |
| Birth Certificate | MEA, New Delhi or respective state |
| Marriage Certificate (if applicable) | MEA, New Delhi or respective state |
| Experience Letters / Employment Certificates | MEA, New Delhi (if requested by the recognition authority) |
The German consulate may ask for proof that you have sufficient funds for initial settlement or that your German employer will support your accommodation. These requirements can vary slightly between consulates (Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad).
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Bank Statements (last 3–6 months) | Proof of financial stability |
| Employer's letter confirming salary / accommodation support | Reduces requirement to show personal funds |
| Programme deposit receipts (if applicable) | May be requested as evidence of serious intent |
For the Section 16d visa, you also need to show that the Berufsanerkennung (recognition) process has been initiated or applied for with a German state authority. The recognition body varies depending on the German state where your employer is located.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Application to German recognition authority (Landesprüfungsamt) | Proof that you have applied for recognition - issued upon submission |
| Acknowledgement / deficiency notice from recognition authority | If received - shows the process is in motion |
In some cases, your German employer initiates the recognition process on your behalf. Jet Set Jobs and our employer partners manage this step - you will be guided on which documents to submit and when.
| # | Document | Required By |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valid passport (12 months+ validity) | Consulate |
| 2 | Passport photographs (white background) | Consulate |
| 3 | Nursing Degree Certificate (notarised + German translation + apostille) | Consulate + Recognition Authority |
| 4 | Nursing Registration Certificate (notarised + translated + apostille) | Consulate + Recognition Authority |
| 5 | Academic Transcripts (notarised + translated) | Recognition Authority |
| 6 | Internship / Clinical Certificate (notarised + translated) | Recognition Authority |
| 7 | Experience Letters (notarised + translated) | Recognition Authority |
| 8 | B2 German Language Certificate (original) | Consulate + Employer |
| 9 | Contract of Labour / Job Offer (original) | Consulate |
| 10 | Employer Commitment Letter | Consulate |
| 11 | Recognition application acknowledgement | Consulate |
| 12 | Bank statements (last 3–6 months) | Consulate (may request) |
| 13 | Birth Certificate (apostilled, if requested) | Recognition Authority |
Document preparation can feel overwhelming, especially when you factor in translations, apostilles, and coordinating with German authorities. At Jet Set Jobs, we walk every nurse through this process step by step. Our team provides a personalised document checklist, connects you with certified translation services, and coordinates with our German employer partners on the recognition application.
You are not expected to figure this out on your own. That is what we are here for.
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Email: support@jetsetjobs.in | www.jetsetjobs.in
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