Germany Student Visa Requirements for Indian Students

According to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, Indian students made up the second-largest international student population at German institutions in the winter semester of 2019, with a record enrollment of 25,149 students.

Given that Germany boasts some of the top colleges in the world as well as fantastic employment possibilities, it is not surprising that Indian students are interested in pursuing their studies there. What you should know about applying for a German student visa from India if you have been accepted to a German university is provided below.

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

Indian citizens must apply for a national visa at the closest German Embassy or Consulate in order to study in Germany. You can enter Germany and submit an application for a residence permit using a national visa, commonly known as a D Visa, which is valid for three months. The year-long validity of the residence permit. You can extend or renew it to continue living in Germany while you pursue your studies.

Avoid attempting to obtain a residence permit while in possession of a tourist visa to enter Germany. That can’t be done.

German Study Visa Requirements for Indian Students

When you apply for a German student visa in India, you must provide the following paperwork:

• Your passport. Your passport must contain at least two empty visa pages and be valid for at least another year after the date of the visa application.
• Two scans of the personal information page of your passport. It must be an A4-sized copy.
• Application for a visa. Completed and signed copies in two.
• Form for a declaration of additional contacts and legal counsel. Completed and signed copies in two.
  three visa biometric images.
• Proof of enrollment in a German study course or preparatory college. The letter must specify the language used for the courses’ instruction. the original as well as two copies.
• Evidence that you are at least B2-level fluent in the language of instruction. the original as well as two copies. (If the university confirms your language ability in your admission letter, you do not need to submit a language certificate.)
• Any academic credentials and qualifications. submit the original APS certificate along with two copies.
• APS certificate. Issued by the APS (Academic Evaluation Centre).
• Your CV.
• Proof of financial means to support oneself throughout your stay. Any of the following can be this:
  a bank account that is blocked. Expatrio is preferred by most Indian students in Germany.
  Proof of a scholarship. Letter from a sponsor living in Germany.
• Travel health insurance is required. Indian students have the option of purchasing travel insurance from national Indian travel insurance providers or from international companies like DR-WALTER or Europ Assistance.
• For the student visa cost, use a demand draught. Demand draughts in Indian Rupees must be used to pay the charge at the Embassy or Consulate.

Additionally, you must include a signed copy of the document checklist that you downloaded from the German Missions in India website.

Where to Apply for a German Study Visa in India?

You must submit your student visa application to the German Mission in India that is in charge of your jurisdiction in the manner described below:

How to Apply for a German Student Visa from India?

For an Indian to apply for a student visa to Germany, follow these steps:

• Open a bank account that is blocked.
• Finish filling out the student visa application.
• Take photos of your biometric visa.
• Gather all the necessary paperwork.
• Schedule a meeting with the German Embassy or Consulate.
• Get a demand draught for the visa cost.
• Enter the interview, submit the application, and pay the visa price.

Open a Blocked Account

A blocked bank account is required as documentation of your financial situation for the visa application. There are two options for Indians to open a banned account:

• using one of the authorised suppliers listed on the German Federal Government website.
• through a German bank’s office in India.

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

Because the entire process can be completed online from India, the majority of Indian students studying in Germany chose Expatrio.

Complete the visa application form

You must fill out the online “Application for a National Visa” form before submitting your application. Alternatively, you can choose whichever option is more suitable for you and download, fill out, and print a PDF copy from the German Mission in India. Both your passport and ID card must be on hand.

You also require the “Declaration on true and complete information” and the “Additional contact and legal representation information,” in addition to the main application form.

Take your biometric visa pictures

Your photographs must have a white backdrop, be 35mm x 45mm (width and height), and be submitted with your India visa application for Germany. The majority of photo studios in India’s major cities are knowledgeable on how to take your shot and modify it for a German visa application.

Collect the required documents

All the paperwork listed on the “Checklist for a German National Visa – Student” should be gathered. The list is accessible on the German Missions in India website.

Additionally, you need to download a copy of the checklist, sign it, and return it with the appropriate date.

Make an appointment with the German Embassy

Once you have all the necessary paperwork, you can schedule a meeting with the German Mission in India that oversees your area of concern.

Get a visa fee Demand Draft

At the conclusion of the visa appointment, you must pay the amount for a German student visa in India using a Demand Draught. Demand Draughts (not more than two months old) from all Indian nationalised banks are accepted by German missions.

Submit the application, enter the interview, and pay the visa fee

You must arrive promptly for your appointment on time, and you must carry all required paperwork. Additionally, you will go through a visa interview with an embassy or consulate official, who will question you about your future trip, your reasons for wanting to study in Germany, etc.

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

It typically takes 15 to 30 working days after the visa interview for the Indian Embassy or Consulate to make a decision.

It might take longer, though, depending on the Embassy’s workload and whether you require additional documentation. Many Indian students have mentioned waiting four to six weeks (or even 12 weeks!) to hear about their visa decision on online student forums.

You can fly to Germany and apply for a student residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde as soon as you receive your student visa.

Can I Apply for a Student Visa at VFS India?

You can apply for a student visa at a VFS Centre in India if and only if:

• You meet one of the following criteria and reside in the jurisdiction of the German Missions in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, or Bengaluru.
• You’ll pursue your PhD, post-doctoral, or master’s studies, and a German university has granted you admittance.
• An official German institution has awarded you a full scholarship for further education.
  You have a contract as a highly qualified employee and a ZAV-Zustimmung approval letter from the relevant German labour authorities. If you are from the New Delhi Embassy’s legal jurisdiction, only then does this apply.

If you meet the aforementioned criteria, you can submit your application to the Mumbai or New Delhi VFS Global Visa Application Centre. The German Embassy interview does not need a wait.

Remember: Your application will still be reviewed and decided by the German Embassy or Consulate in your country. Your application materials will be accepted by VFS and sent to the Embassy/Consulate.

German Study Visa Fees for Indian Students

Indian citizens must pay €75 for an adult student visa to Germany and €37,50 for a youngster. After your visa appointment, you must submit a Demand Draught to pay the INR charge. Depending on where you submit your visa application, the Demand Draught must be addressed as follows:

• New Delhi consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany
• Bangalore General Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany
• German Federal Republic’s general consulate in Chennai
• German Federal Republic’s general consulate in Kolkata
• Mumbai’s Federal Republic of Germany General Consulate

Even in the event that your application is denied, the visa cost is not refundable.

Important: The demand draft’s visa cost (in INR) must be calculated using the rates listed on the German Missions in India’s website. If you complete out a Demand Draught for your student visa application using the current exchange rates, it will be denied.

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

To obtain a German student visa in 2022, Indian students must have at least €11,208 in their bank accounts. You can only withdraw €934 every month from this money, which must be deposited into a “blocked account” in Germany. The scholarship you get must also cover the same financial aid.

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

You must: Within three months of your flight from India to Germany:

• Receive the Certificate of Registration by registering your address with the nearby registration office. This implies that you must find lodging in Germany.
• Get a health insurance plan from a statutory (public) insurance provider. You must enrol in a private insurance plan, such as DR Walter’s EDUCARE24, if you are a PhD student over 30. When you arrive in Germany, you can use this online tool to discover what kind of health insurance you’ll need.
• Contact the local Ausländerbehörde (Foreigner’s Office) to set up an appointment.
• 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.
• Apply for a study residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde by submitting the required paperwork.

You can stay in Germany for a year with the help of a residence permit, which can be renewed yearly during your academic career.

Can Indian Students Work in Germany?

Yes, students with student visas from India can work there. You are permitted to work up to 240 part-time or 120 full-time days each year. Even work you do during breaks between semesters or unpaid internships counts towards your allotted workdays.

The only form of job that does not count towards the permitted working time is the following:

• a required internship that is a component of your academic programme.
• working as a research assistant or student at your university.

If you find a job after completing your studies, you can apply for a work visa. Once your studies are complete and you are jobless, you can apply for a job-seeker visa.