Germany student visa for Indian students: All you need to know

Germany has increasingly become a popular destination for Indian students, with over 25,000 Indian students studying in the country in 2020¹.

Read on to learn more about getting a German student visa and how you can prepare your potential application.

📝 Table of contents
Application Process Requirements Fees Visa interview guide

Each student’s immigration application is different. So it's important to consult an immigration professional, and the respective German governmental department for up to date information and advice on your application. This article is not to be taken as professional advice or recommendation for your German student visa process.

🎓 Did you know that in in 2020, Indian students made up the 2nd largest population of international students in Germany.

📩 Germany student visa application

Germany requires that Indian students enter the country with the appropriate visa. There are a few countries, such as citizenship holders of the US, South Korea, EU, and Australia, that do not require a visa to study in Germany.

Indian students can study in Germany for their Bachelors, Master’s, Doctoral or Postdoctoral studies.

🔍 Check out the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) website for information and counselling on German higher education

While there isn’t a specific student visa for Germany, Indian students will require a German National Visa (long term) if you are enrolling in a university or institution. This is different from a Schengen, short term or tourist visa to Germany which only allows a 3 month stay. As the name suggests, the long-term German National Visa lets you stay in the country for more than 90 days.²

Within the German National Visa application, you will have to provide the documentation relevant for a student visa to Germany.

First, the application process starts with identifying the Germany embassy or consulate that has jurisdiction over your home state in India. The German embassy or consulate for your state holds the responsibility for your student visa application³.

German Embassy	India Jurisdiction
New Delhi	Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand as well as the Union Territories of Chandigarh, NCT of Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep including Minicoy and Amini
Mumbai	Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Daman and Diu
Kolkata	West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura
Bangalore	Karnataka and Kerala
Chennai	Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Pondicherry.

✅ The application for a student visa in Germany is the same as the general German National Visa, however you will need to check the “Study” box when asked the purpose of your stay in Germany⁴:

Depending on which German embassy or consulate is applicable to you, you will have to provide the documents required as laid out by the specific office and you may be required to do an in-person interview.

And although the German consulate or embassy will be responsible for your application, the process will be through the German government’s visa partner, VFS Global.

Let’s break down the exact process to apply for a German student visa.

📋 Germany student visa process

To apply to study in a German university, you are expected to have already applied to a Germany university and have been accepted. From there, it is a 8 step process for completing a German National Visa application⁵:

1. Once you have been accepted to a German university, identify which German embassy or consulate is in your jurisdiction in India
2. Collect your mark sheets and certificates and certify them with the German mission for your state.
3. Procure all the documents as requested for a student visa from your German embassy or consulate. Here is an example of the Checklist for Student Visa for the German embassy in New Delhi.
4. Next, open a blocked account at either Kotak Mahindra Bank, Deutsche Bank, Capital India Finance Ltd., and Drop Money to show evidence of ample funds to finance your education and stay in Germany.
5. Get your biometric photos taken in one of the approved locations in India
6. Complete the application form by PDF, including the declaration form, or online
7. Schedule an appointment at your Visa Application Centre (VAC)
8. Complete your appointment in person, submit all your documents, and pay your visa application fee at the VAC.

But before you get started on the process, let’s make sure you qualify for a German student visa.

Germany student visa requirements for Indian students

To start, there are a few requirements for a German National visa for studying in Germany:

• You are to have already applied and been accepted to a program in Germany
• You have a valid passport with at least 2 blank pages and it was issued within the past 10 years
• You have applied to the correct embassy or consulate for your state in India
• If you are applying for a Bachelor’s program in Germany, you are required to have received at least 90% in 12th standard⁶

❌ If you do not meet these requirements, there is a large chance your application will be cancelled.

If you are waiting to hear back from a German university, you can apply for a prospective student visa. This allows you to get started on the visa process but is only valid for 3 months to allow you to hear back from your desired institution. If you are accepted you will have to then apply for the German National Visa. ⁷

Here are the additional requirements for a German student visa:

💶 Germany student visa financial requirements

To acquire a German National Visa for studying in Germany, you will need to show that you can pay for your study and stay in the country. You will need to show evidence of funds of an annual amount of €10,332/ ₹9,28,536.84* .⁸

You can do this in 3 ways:

• Evidence of parental income
• Opening a blocked bank account
• Showing evidence of a scholarship award.

As a student coming from India, you may be asked to open the blocked bank account by the German embassy or consulate to show evidence of ample funds for your stay. To do so, the following banks are available in India:

• Kotak Mahindra Bank
• Deutsche Bank
• Capital India Finance Ltd.,
• Drop Money

*the INR price shown is converted at the mid-market exchange rate of €1 = ₹89.87 as of April 29, 2021

📝 Documents required for Germany student visa

Here is a sample list of documents required to submit alongside your application.⁹

• A valid passport issued within the last 10 years and with at least 2 empty pages
• The application form
• Copy of your passport’s data page
• Statement of Purpose or Motivation Letter
• The original Proof of Admittance to the program or course of study, plus 2 copies
• CV
• Proof of financial means
• 3 Passport photos
• Certificate of academic qualifications (as necessary)

You may be asked for additional documents so it is suggested to confirm the documents you need for your particular application with the German embassy or consulate.

🕐 How to get an appointment for a German student visa

The appointment process is dependent on the German embassy or consulate for your jurisdiction. Here is how to schedule an appointment through the partner VFS for your application. ¹⁰

German Embassy or Consulate	Online	Phone
New Delhi	Book an appointment online
Mumbai	Email at infowest.germanin@vfshelpline.com.	022 67866013
Chennai	Email at: info.germanin@vfshelpline.com.	022 67866013
Bangalore	Email at: Infosouth1.germanin@vfshelpline.com	022 67866013

⏳ Germany student visa processing time

For long term visas such as a student visa, the processing time is not clear but the German government website has noted that it can take a few months. It is suggested to start your visa process early and as soon as you have heard from your German institution.

📍 You can track your application online with your application’s reference number and your last name to see where you are in the process.

🏦 Germany student visa fees

As the German embassy or consulate for your area is going to be handling your application, they do allow for Indian rupee payments for the fees. But keep in mind that VFS global also does have administrative charges that are added to the cost.

Germany student visa fees in Indian Rupees

As of April 2021, the student visa fee is ₹6,700 for students that are applying as adults for a German student visa. In addition to the visa fee, you may have to pay additionally for VFS’s logistics and stamping fee.

Here is what it looks like for the total cost if you submit your German student visa application through New Delhi:

Fee Type	Fees in INR 🇮🇳
Visa Fee	₹6,700
VFS Logistics Fee at submission	₹896
VFS Stamping Fee	₹1,053
Total	₹8,649

The visa application fee is to be paid after your interview appointment and is non refundable. It can be paid in cash or Visa, Mastercard or Rupay. ¹¹

If you are looking for additional help or convenience with your application, VFS Global does offer additional premium services at a cost

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👥 Germany student visa interview questions and answer guide

An interview with the German embassy is a part of the German National Visa process. Read on to familiarize yourself with possible questions and guides on how to answer them. And remember, the best interviews are when you are authentically yourself.

Why are you going to Germany?

Answer guide: For this question you are going to need to come prepared with research on why Germany exactly. What is it about your specific program or university that compelled you to choose it over other options, and other countries? The best answers would go beyond just stating the experience of being outside of India, but provide a clear understanding of the unique aspects of German education, people and culture.

What will you specialize in your degree?

Answer guide: Here you should showcase your intrinsic motivation for pursuing this particular area of study. What do you plan to learn, but also contribute to the academic or professional space? In addition, it doesn’t hurt to mention what you are looking to do after your graduation.

What will be your major?

Answer guide: With this type of a question, most interviewers will want to verify you and validate your choice to study. Feel free to be vocal on not only your major but also why you chose it and what you are looking to get out of your German education and institution in particular.

Why are you planning to continue your education?

Answer guide: This question is looking to understand your motivation for additional studies. What is it that your continued education can and will provide you? What are you looking to learn that you haven’t learned yet? Interviewers are most likely looking to understand your true interest in your program or institution, and not that you are looking at your time in Germany as a holiday.

🖨 If you found this guide helpful or want to refer to it later, right click on the screen and click ‘Print’, then save it as a PDF

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Sources:

1. Indian Students in Germany
2. Germany National Visa
3. Embassies & consulates in India
4. German National Visa Application
5. Application process
6. Bachelor’s program requirements
7. Prospective student visa
8. Financial requirements
9. Document requirements
10. Getting an appointment
11. Application fee