Germany Study Visa for Students from India – Complete Guide

Germany Study Visa for Students from India – Complete Guide: Indian students make up the second-largest group of international students in German universities, with a record number of 25,149 students enrolled in the winter semester of 2019, according to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany.

It is no wonder that Indian students are interested in getting their education in Germany, considering it has some of the highest-ranking universities in the world – and amazing job opportunities. So, if you have been accepted to a German university, here’s what you need to know about the German student visa application from India!

What Type of Visa Do Indian Students Need to Study in Germany?

To study in Germany, Indians have to apply for a National Visa at the nearest German Embassy/Consulate. A national visa (also known as a D Visa) is valid for three months and allows you to enter Germany and apply for a residence permit. The residence permit is valid for one year. It can be renewed/extended to let you live in Germany for the duration of your studies.

Do not try to enter Germany with a tourist visa and try to get a residence permit. That is not possible.

Germany Study Visa for Students from India | German Study Visa Requirements for Indian Students

You have to submit these documents when you apply for a German student visa in India:

• Your passport. Your passport must be valid for at least another year starting from the visa application and have at least two empty visa pages.
• Two scanned copies of your passport’s personal information page. The copy must be in A4 format.
• Visa application form. Two copies, completed and signed.
• Declaration form for additional contact and legal representation information. Two copies, completed and signed.
• Three biometric visa pictures.
• Proof of acceptance in a German study course or preparatory college. The letter must include information on the language of instruction for the courses. Submit the original and 2 copies.
• Proof you are proficient in the language of instruction at least in B2-level. Submit the original and 2 copies. (If your language proficiency is confirmed in your admission letter by the university, you do not need to submit a language certificate.)
• Any academic certificates and qualifications. Submit the original and 2 copies
• Your CV.
• Proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay. This can be any of the following:
  • A blocked bank account. Most Indian students in Germany prefer Fintiba.
  • Proof of a scholarship.
  • Letter from a sponsor living in Germany.
• Travel health insurance. Indian students can buy a travel insurance policy from international providers such as DR-WALTER, AXA Assistance or Europ Assistance, or from Indian local travel insurance companies.
• Demand Draft for the student visa fee. The fee must be paid at the Embassy/Consulate in INR via a Demand Draft.

You should also attach the signed copy of the checklist of the documents which you got from the website of the German Missions in India.

Where to Apply for a German Study Visa in India?

You have to submit the student visa application at the German Mission in India responsible for your jurisdiction, as follows:

Please note: The German Honorary Consul in Goa and the German Honorary Consul in Thiruvananthapuram do not accept visa applications.

How to Apply for the German Student Visa from India?

The step-by-step instructions for an Indian to apply for a German student visa are:

1. Open a Blocked Bank Account.
2. Complete the student visa application form.
3. Take your biometric visa pictures.
4. Collect all the required documents.
5. Make an appointment with the German Embassy/Consulate.
6. Get the visa fee Demand Draft.
7. Submit the application, enter the interview, and pay the visa fee.

Step 1. Open a Blocked Account

You need a blocked bank account to provide proof of your finances for the visa application. There are two ways to open a blocked account from India:

• Online, via one of the approved providers on the website of the German Federal Government.
• Through the Indian branch of a German bank.

According to the German Embassies in India, the providers offering blocked accounts for Indian students include Fintiba, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Deutsche Bank, Capital India Finance Ltd., and Drop Money.

Most Indian students in Germany prefer Fintiba because the entire process can be completed online from India.

Step 2. Complete the visa application form

Before you submit the application, you have to complete the “Application for a national visa” form online. You can also download, complete and print out a PDF copy from the German Mission in India – whichever method you find more convenient. You will need to have your ID card and passport at hand.

Along with the main application form, you also need the “Declaration on true and complete information” and the “Additional contact and legal representation information”. See here and here.

Step 3. Take your biometric visa pictures

The pictures you submit for your Germany visa application in India have to be on a white background and with 35mm x 45 mm (width and height) dimensions. Most photo studios in large cities in India will know how to take your picture and adjust it for a German visa application.

See the complete Germany visa photo requirements here.

Step 4. Collect the required documents

Gather all the documents included on the “Checklist for a German national visa – student”. The list is available on the website of the German Missions in India.

You must also download a copy of the checklist and submit it along with the date and your signature.

Step 5. Make an appointment with the German Embassy

After you have all the documents, you can make an appointment with the German Mission in India that’s responsible for your jurisdiction.

Step 6. Get a visa fee Demand Draft

You have to pay the fee for a German student visa in India, via a Demand Draft at the end of the visa appointment. German Missions accept Demand Drafts (not older than 2 months) from all nationalized banks in India.

Step 7. Submit the application, enter the interview, and pay the visa fee

On the date of your appointment, you have to be on time and bring all the necessary documents with you. You will also enter a visa interview with an Embassy/Consulate officer, who will ask you questions regarding your upcoming trip, why you want to study in Germany, etc.

How Long Does It Take to Get a German Study Visa in India?

After you enter the visa interview, in most cases, it takes 15-30 working days to receive a decision from the Embassy/Consulate in India.

However, depending on the workload of the Embassy and whether you need additional documents, it could take longer. On online student forums, many Indian students have reported waiting four to six weeks (even 12!) to receive a decision on their visa.

As soon as you have your student visa, you can travel to Germany and apply for a student residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde.

When Should Indian Students Apply for a German Study Visa?

You should apply for a visa as soon as you receive your acceptance letter and at least three months before your studies start. Take into consideration the following factors:

• Opening a blocked account will take one to three weeks.
• Waiting for an appointment at the Embassy will take anywhere from two days (at most German Missions in India) to 10 weeks (at the German Embassy in New Dehli).
• The processing time for a student visa is anywhere from two to six weeks.

Can I Apply for a Student Visa at VFS India?

Yes, you may submit a student visa application at a VFS Center in India only if:

• You live in the jurisdiction of the German Missions in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, or Bengaluru, and you fulfil one of the following requirements:
  • You will pursue your doctoral, post-doctorate, or Master’s studies and have an admission letter from a German University.
  • You have received a full scholarship from an official German Institution for higher education.
  • You have a contract as a highly qualified worker as well as an approval letter issued by the competent German Labor Authorities (ZAV-Zustimmung). This only applies if you are from the New Delhi Embassy jurisdiction.

If you fulfil the requirements listed above, you can submit your application to the VFS Global Visa Application Centre in New Delhi or in Mumbai. You do not need to wait for an interview at the German Embassy.

Remember: The German Embassy or Consulate in your jurisdiction will still review your application and make a decision. VFS will simply accept your application documents and send them to the Embassy/Consulate.

German Study Visa Fees for Indian Students

The German student visa fee for Indians is €75 for adults and €37,50 for minors. You have to pay the fee in INR through a Demand Draft at the end of your visa appointment. The Demand Draft has to be addressed as such, depending on where you submit your visa application:

• Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, New Delhi
• Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Bangalore
• Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Chennai
• Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Kolkata
• Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mumbai

The visa fee is non-refundable even if your application is rejected.

Important: The visa fee (in INR) stated on the Demand Draft must be based on the rates posted on the website of the German Missions in India. Do not look at the current exchange rates to fill in a Demand Draft for your student visa application, as it will be rejected.

How Much Bank Balance Is Required for Indian Students Applying for a Study Visa to Germany?

In 2021, Indian students need a bank balance of at least €10,332 to get a German student visa. This money has to go in a “blocked account” in Germany where it will be frozen and you will only be able to withdraw €861/month. If you receive a scholarship, it also has to cover the same amount of money.

Germany Travel Insurance for Indian Students

Indian students can get travel health insurance for a Germany visa application from one of the following

• DR-WALTER, 
• AXA Assistance or 
• Europ Assistance,

Our tip for Indian students: If you decide to get health insurance from German provider TK, you will get a one-month free travel insurance policy as well!

Other travel insurance providers operating in India, which will be accepted by the German Embassy include:

• Apollo Munich Health Insurance Company
• Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company
• Bharti AXA General Insurance Company
• Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company
• Cigna TTK Health Insurance Limited
• Go Digit General Insurance Limited
• Future Generali India Insurance Company
• HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company
• IFFCO – Tokio General Insurance Company

You need travel insurance which covers you from the time you enter Germany and until you enrol under a long-term health insurance scheme.

How to Get a Student Residence Permit When I Go to Germany?

Within three months after you travel from India to Germany, you have to:

• Register your address with the local registration office and receive the Certificate of Registration. This means that you need to have accommodation in Germany.
• Get a health insurance plan with a statutory (public) health insurance company. If you are a PhD student over 30, you have to get a private insurance plan, such as DR Walter’s EDUCARE24. 
• Schedule an appointment with the local Ausländerbehörde (Foreigner’s Office).
• Gather the following documents:
  • One biometric picture.
  • The “Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit” form.
  • Your Registration Certificate.
  • Proof of Blocked Account.
  • Proof of health insurance.
  • Proof of acceptance in a German educational institution.
• Submit the documents at the Ausländerbehörde and apply for a study residence permit.

The residence permit will allow you to stay in Germany for one year and it can be extended annually for the duration of your studies.

Can Indian Students Work in Germany?

Yes, Indian students are allowed to work in Germany with a student visa. You can work full time for up to 120 days or part-time for up to 240 days per year. Even the work you take up during semester breaks or unpaid internships will count towards your permitted workdays.

Only the following type of work does not count towards the allotted working time:

• An obligatory internship that is part of your study program.
• Working as a student or research assistant in your university.

After you finish your studies, if you find a job, you can apply for a work visa. If you finish your studies and do not have a job, you can apply for a job-seeker visa.