FSB is a business event and most international visitors enter Germany on a Schengen short-stay basis. Nationals of the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Brazil and the EU/EEA can attend visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, provided the passport is valid for at least three months beyond departure and the trip is for trade-fair attendance, supplier meetings or contract negotiations. Visa nationals — including visitors from India, China, Turkey, South Africa and much of Africa and the Middle East — need a Schengen Type C business visa, applied for at the German embassy or consulate responsible for their place of residence or through an authorised VFS Global centre, with a Koelnmesse invitation or trade-fair registration, hotel confirmation, return travel booking and Schengen travel medical insurance covering at least EUR 30,000. The visa fee is EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6–12, with a typical processing time of 15 calendar days from a complete application; October appointment slots fill quickly, so apply six to eight weeks before travel. Visa-exempt travellers should also check the EU ETIAS online travel authorisation, which short-stay visitors will use in place of a visa by the 2027 edition. Admission to the fair itself requires a trade-visitor ticket or exhibitor pass rather than a visa, so register online before departure.
Estimated cost: Varies by visa type and nationality (check official site).
Processing: Varies by nationality; apply several weeks before travel.
Business visits to trade fairs, negotiations and contract signing are permitted without a work permit. Carry your trade-visitor registration confirmation at border control. Apply at the German mission responsible for your place of residence or an authorised VFS Global centre. Required documents typically include the Koelnmesse invitation or trade-fair registration, hotel booking, return flight, pr
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