Germany Study Visa
If you are from India and wish to study in Germany you will require a specific kind of visa to make that happen. We are aware that this process which involves a great deal of bureaucracy worries a lot of prospective Indian students. You are in the right place if you are one of those students. This article aims to help you navigate the bureaucratic jungle that stands in the way of obtaining a German student visa for Indian students.It covers the essential questions about the visa.
- Different types of visas
- What is a Student Visa?
- Visa Fees
- Processing Time
- Success Rate
- Working with a student visa
- Requirements
- How can I get a student visa?
- Residence Permit for Indians
1. What are the different types of German visas?
There are various types of German Visas
- German student visa: students who want to study bachelors or masters they need to apply for german student visa. One of the prerequisites of getting the visa is you need an offer letter from the German university.
- German student applicant visa: if an Indian student applied for programs in the German university but does not have the official letter from the university then the student can apply for German student applicant visa. By doing this the chance of getting into German can increase significantly. IMPORTANT : visit the appropriate German Embassy or consulate in India to check the possibility of applying for a student applicant visa.
- German Language course visa: this visa is for those Indian students who wish to study intensive German language courses in Germany. In order to check the eligibility of this visa you must consult the local German Embassy/Consulate in India.
- German Job seeker visa: Indian students after graduation can apply for this visa. This visa will help the students to stay in Germany for 18 months to find a suitable job.
- German family reunion visa: by this visa it helps the Indian student to bring their family with them. Depending on the individual cases, spouses, children and parents are eligible to accompany the Indian students during their studies in Germany.
Basically for Indian students who want to pursue their studies in Germany they need a student visa.
2. What is a German student visa?
It is a type of visa issued for those who applied for the programs in Germany and got the offer letter (letter of acceptance) from the university. Many higher education institutions in Germany such as Universities, Universities of applied science and Academies of arts, music and film may offer the study course that grants you a German student visa.
Indians can basically get a three month German student visa. Indian students must travel to Germany within the time frame and of the required paperwork. Among that is to submit an application for a work permit. Indians can extend the duration of their study program by converting their three month visa into a residence permit which can be valid for one to three years. Indian students are also able to extend their residency permit if they are unable to complete their studies in the allotted time.
3. How much funds are required for a student visa?
Like everyone, Indian students have to pay 75€ (37.5€ for minors) for a German student visa. Students have to pay the tuition fees in the local currency INR (Indian Rupees)So it is important to always check the exchange rate before visiting the German Embassy/Consulate in India. For example, the Indian Rupee equivalent of the German student cost as of January 21, 2023 was 6,600 INR (3,300 INR for minors). Demand drafts are accepted as payment at all German embassies in India. All national banks in India accept demand drafts as long as they are not older than 2 months. Note that cash is also accepted at the German Embassy in New Delhi.
In general, if the application gets rejected there is no refund. That means the visa fee is non-refundable. Indian students who have a scholarship from a German public university e.g. DAAD does not want to pay any visa processing fees.
4. How long does it take to get a German student visa from India?
For Indians it is around 12 weeks the processing time for German student visas. Indian students need to wait for 3 months to get the student visa. As soon as you submit the application and pay the fees the countdown for the visa starts. In order to be in Germany on time it is important for Indian students to apply for the visa as early as possible.
German missions do not have any difference between the German embassy in New Delhi and German consulates in Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai in regards to the processing time of the visa. On the website it’s mentioned as the general guideline for the visa processing time is 12 weeks. It doesn’t matter whether it is in Kolkata or Bangalore you can expect around 12 weeks of processing time for German student visa application. Since the German embassy in New Delhi handles the majority of German student visa applications among the German missions in India it is reasonable to assume that the Indian students should expect a longer processing time if they must apply in Delhi rather than the German consulates in Bangalore.
For example it even handles the applications that come from students in Bhutan.
5. German student visa success rate for India
The success rate of German student visas for Indians is approximately 90% according to the research from 2022 and 2023. In another way it can be said that 90 out 100 students who apply for a student visa to Germany are granted one. Therefore the percentage of Indian applicants who have their German student visa rejected is around 10%. The applicants incomplete application and insufficient financial resources.
But you can see the reports as long as your application is complete, your documents are in order and you have clear evidence of sufficient financial resources. It is still very unlikely that your application for a German study visa will be denied. In another word obtaining a German student visa is relatively simple for Indians.
6. Can Indian students be able to work in Germany with a student visa?
Yes, Indian students can work in Germany with student visas. When you convert the student visa to residence permit you will receive an additional green paper called Zusablatt in German. Right to work in Germany is mentioned in the paper. Indian students are allowed to work 280 days per year part time (up to 20 hours per week) or 140 days per year full time (up to 20 hours per week).
Indian students are not allowed to work in a self employed or freelance capacity in Germany. But if you work in university as a student assistant then the working limits will not be applicable. Even though you need to report your occupation to the foreigners office.
7. Student visa requirements for Indians
You need to provide all necessary documents for the visa process, if you fail to provide the document then it can result in the rejection of your application. Here is the list of documents that needed for Indian when submit the application for German study visa
- Complete and signed application form: on the German Mission in India website you can find the application form. This form is quite self explanatory and easy to fill. The form will ask you to fill in basic personal information such as last name, first name, date of birth, email address, marital status.
- Completed declaration: additional contact and legal representation information Indians provide in this form. And this form is also available on the website.
- Passport – Indian students need a valid passport with a minimum of 2 free pages and A4 copy of its data page. In order to qualify your passport as valid your passport should not be older than 10 years. From the day of your application its expiry date should not be earlier than a year.
- Biometric photos – three biometric pictures that are no more than six months old are required of Indian students. The photo should be 35 (W) by 45 (H) in size. It should be easy to see your face in this picture taking up about 70 – 80% of the frame. 32-36 mm is the equivalent height. The background should be bright, colourless and shadow free ideally in a muted grey.
- Acceptance letter from a German university or foundation course: A letter of acceptance or Zulassungsbescheid in German is needed as a document from the university. It states that your application was successful and that you are offered a place in the program. From the letter you can find the following information:
- Personal details
- University and study program details
- Deadline for confirming the acceptance of the offer. Usually you can get that by signing the specific paper provided by the university and sending it to the mentioned address.
- Deadline for paying the semester contribution. The fee ranges from 200 -300 Euros.
- The next step is to enrol as a student.
- APS certificate: APS india issues the APS certificate. It validates the document and confirms whether you are eligible for a student visa. There are some cases in which Indians are exempted from providing the APS certificate.
- Statement of Purpose/ Letter of motivation: Statement of purpose(SOP) is a document which states the purpose of study and what motivates them to study in Germany, it is a mandatory document to submit to the German missions in India. For German student visas Indian students make the application through LOM.
- CV: CV or Resume are the documents that will provide the information about their academic background, work experience (including internships), extracurricular activities and skills and it is a mandatory document which will be asked by the German missions in India.
- Proof of funds: Indian students are required to show proof of funds that they can manage living expenses such as accommodation, health insurance and so on during the time of their studies in Germany. The amount set by the government for that is 934 Euros per month or 11,208 Euros per year. In other words, students sneed 934 Euros per month. The ways to show the funds are blocked account, declaration of commitment from the German resident and scholarship.
- Blocked account: Blocked account is known as Sperrkonto which is a special kind of account for students who wish to study in Germany and they need to open an account before arriving.
- Declaration of commitment (declaration of sponsorship or letter of commitment): it is called as Verpflichtungserklärung in German, this document is to give confirmation to German residents in which the applicants must provide the financial support during their stay in Germany.
- Scholarship: A full scholarship from German or EU public institutions is what you should have if you want it to demonstrate that you can pay for all your expenses while studying in Germany.
- Certificates of previous academics: eg such as Bachelors degree, secondary school degree.
- Proof of preliminary health insurance that covers the first 3 months in Germany: Usually travel insurance is sufficient at this point. You must obtain an insurance policy in Germany that covers the remaining amount of your stay from a private or public provider.
- Proof of language test: the accepted certificates from German missions in India are TOEFL and IELTS (for English taught study programs) or Goethe Institut and ÖSD (in case of German-taught study programs).
- Prepare the demand draft
Please submit the request documents in their original form with two copies attached. You may need to provide more documents.
8. How can I get a student visa for Germany from India?
Depending on the residence of students applying and their academic goals the exact procedure for the student visa can vary. For instance, some students need to apply to the German embassy/consulates in India and some others are required to apply by VFS Visa application centre in India. For applying student visa students required to follow 10 steps:
- First you need to check whether you need to apply by directly through the German Embassy/Consulate in India or via the VFS
You should apply through VFS if you are under jurisdiction of the German consulate in Bangalore, chennai, Mumbai or Delhi and also if you have scholarship form university or if you have unconditional offer letter from university for a German Master’s (Doctoral, Post-Doc) program.
- Find the German Embassy/Consulate or the VFS Visa Application Centre in India responsible for your German student visa application
Where should the Indian students apply for a German student visa? Location of the students plays an important role in that. The table below shows how to find it.
Your location in India | German Mission in India responsible for your application |
Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the Union Territories of Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Minicoy and Amindive. | German Embassy in New Delhi |
Maharashta, the Union States of Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Union Territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli | German Consulate in Mumbai |
West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura | German Consulate in Kolkata |
Karnataka and Kerala | German Consulate in Bangalore |
Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Union Territory of Puducherry | German Consulate in Chennai |
- Collect all the required documents
In addition to the details in the article with all prerequisites taken in consideration: click “services” and then “visa information” on the German missions in india website. Next click on the “German national Visa” section and select the “Checklist for student visa” category.
- Book the appointment
Indian students must schedule an appointment for a German student visa application at one of the following locations: German Embassy in New Delhi, German Consulate in Mumbai, German Consulate in KOlkata, German Consulate in Bangalore, German Consulate in Chennai or one of the visa application centres in India. The specific circumstances of each case will depend largely on the residence, academic goals and background of the applicant.
Indian students can normally book appointments by online or phone. It does not matter where you submit the document whether it is in the New Delhi Embassy, one of the German consulates for Visa Application Centres in India. But you need to book an appointment through VFS. The table below will show the booking an appointment for a German student visa application for Indians.
Location for the appointment | How to book | |
German Embassy in New Delhi | Online | Via phone (022-67866013) |
German Consulate in Mumbai | Online | Via phone (022-67866013) |
German Consulate in Kolkata | Online | – |
German Consulate in Bangalore | Online | Via phone (022-67866013) |
German Consulate in Chennai | Online | Via phone (022-67866013) |
Visa Application Centres in India | Online | – |
- Visit the embassy, consulate or the visa centre
Make sure to reach the office 15 minutes early for the appointment. Please make sure not to miss the appointment, if you do so then it is hard to get another appointment, again it will make the chance of arriving Germany on time get delayed.
If you missed the appointment then you need to wait for 24 hours from the original date to schedule a new appointment.
- Submit the documents
Please do not forget to take all the required documents. If you do so then your application rejection chance is high.
All the documents should be ordered according to the checklist provided by the German Embassy/ Consulate in India and do not staple any documents.
- Complete the interview
The interview will be around 10-15 minutes. Indian students applying for a German student visa must be prepared to provide convincing explanations for their decision to apply for the program and how it will advance their long term future goal. During the interview use the details form teh SOP/LOM and Resume will help to answer the proper questions.
- Pay the processing fee for the student visa
- Wait for the response
- Collect your passport and visa
9. German student residence permit for Indians
German student visa is valid only for 3 months. Necessary bureaucratic procedures are needed to be completed by the Indian students upon arrival in Germany. Indian students need to apply for German student residence permits. Before the end of the 3 month visa students are required to convert the student visa to residence permit. Our recommendation for Indian students is to apply for a student residence permit 6 weeks before the student visa expires.
Your German student residence permit may be used for the entire duration that you are enrolled in classes. If Indian students are unable to complete their studies within the allotted time duration they have the option to extend their student residence permit.
The necessary documentation for Indian students who wish to study in Germany are available in the official Foreigners’ Authority website. The requirements may differ slightly depending on the place where you live. Our staff came up with a general checklist of documents that you will need for your application for a student residence permit after reviewing the requirement in various German locations:
German student residence permit checklist for Indians:
- Complete the application form: from the Foreigners’ Authority website you can find the application form. The form is easy to understand and fill. The form will ask you to fill in the basic information such as last name, first name, date of birth, email, address, marital status and so on.
- Valid passport: make sure the passport is valid and the expiry date is not close. The passport has enough free pages left.
- Current biometric passport photo: Specific are same as for German student visa
- Registration of the address: Indians have two weeks from the time of arrival in Germany to register at the local citizens’ office (Bürgeramt). You will then receive a document verifying your registration. You must use this document when applying for a student residence permit.
- Proof of health insurance – you can request a document from your German health insurance provider attesting to the fact that the specified company does in fact insure you.
- Proof of sufficient funds: Indian students must show that they have enough funds to meet their livelihood. As mentioned, that can be done by using the blocked account, a declaration of commitment and a scholarship.
- Certificate of enrollment: this document known as Immatrikulationsbescheinigung in German, is used to certify that you are enrolled in the particular program at the specified university. It will typically arrive in the mail and online via university portal. The table will show the example student residence permit requirements for Indians across German cities.
Location | Source |
Berlin | Student Residence Permit Berlin |
Bremen | Student Residence Permit Bremen |
Cologne | Student Residence Permit Cologne |
Düsseldorf | Student Residence Permit Düsseldorf |
Frankfurt | Student Residence Permit Frankfurt |
Hamburg | Student Residence Permit Hamburg |
Munich | Student Residence Permit Munich |
Just like the other case the German student residence permit will also vary depending on the location you live in Germany. That’s why it is important to check the websites of the relevant Foreigners’ Authority offices.
