Visa Guidance for Indian students

A residence permit is required for anyone wishing to stay in Germany for more than 90 days – including students. This is the best option for students, as a German student visa can only be used for between 3-6 months and it’s likely you’ll need to stay in the country for longer than this. Your Residence Permit will last two years and should be renewed in plenty of time when it’s almost expired.

Steps to take to apply for a German study visa from India

In order to apply for a German Study Visa, Indian students need the following documents:

  • Certificate of health insurance
  • Valid passport
  • 3 passport photos with biometric specifications
  • Proof of covered finances
  • Letter of admission from a German institution
  • Academic certificates
  • Proof of English language skills
  • Residence Permit fee
  • APS Certificate (not mandatory but desirable for BSBI students, more info below)

Upon completing these documents, you can apply for a German student visa in India to the German Embassy or Consulate General. You better schedule an appointment with the authorities beforehand to avoid any delay and confusion.

You can apply for a student visa at The German Embassy in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bengaluru. Apply to the office whose jurisdiction covers your residence area.

You must prove that you are a student by presenting your Enrolment Letter and registering your residence within 2 weeks after arrival in Germany at the Citizens’ Office (Bürgeramt). Proving that your livelihood is secure and that you have German health insurance is very important. The blocked amount of €11,904 will show that your living costs are fully covered for one year.

More specific information on how to get a student visa can be found here.

How Long Does German Student Visa Take in India?

The German Embassy in New Delhi receives the largest volume of applications, making the waiting time much longer than the consulate. Scheduling an appointment at the German Embassy in New Delhi can take up to 10 weeks, whereas that in the German Consulate General in Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai only takes two working days to a week. These waiting times for German student visa appointments are based on the official data from the German Missions in India.

After submitting the visa application to German Embassy or German Consulate General, the German mission will take approximately 15–30 days to process the student visa, which can even go up to 6–12 weeks in case of several applications. However, they may also ask for any additional documents if required. Therefore, you must start the visa process at the earliest after receiving the acceptance letter to ensure enough time for the process.

APS is Akademische Prüfstelle (Academic Evaluation Centre)

APS is a venture of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German embassy’s cultural department. APS assesses the academic records and educational backgrounds of Indian students applying to study in Germany and checks for their authenticity. If the certificates submitted are found to be genuine, APS issues an authenticity certificate which must be submitted with the application for the student visa.

For the most updated information on requirements, dates, and costs, please visit the APS website. 

  • A new mandatory requirement for those applying for a student visa to German universities from India.
  • BSBI’s academic qualifications are awarded by international state-recognised universities which don’t fall under the APS requirement. Nevertheless, we recommend it as best practice.

Here are the steps that you need to take if you decide to obtain the APS Certificate:
  • Register online at www.aps-india.de
  • Pay the required fee in INR to the APS bank account (Non-refundable)
  • Submit the required documents including the printed and signed application form via courier or in person at the reception desk of the APS India
  • Document verification will be conducted by the APS.
  • On completion of the document verification, student’s online profile will be updated with the verification outcome.
  • Successful candidates may apply for a student visa through VFS.

  • Printed and duly signed application form with passport size photo (not older than 6 months)
  • Copy of APS fee transfer receipt.
  • Copy of Aadhaar card with linked mobile number.
  • Copy of passport (1st and last page)
  • Copy of Class XII marksheet and certificate.
  • Copy of Class XII admit card, if available.
  • Copy of marksheets of all semesters.
  • Copy of the bachelor degree. In case the degree has not yet been issued, the provisional certificate issued by the College will be accepted. (Not older than 1 year)
  • Copy of the Master’s degree and transcripts. (if applicable)
  • Copy of English language certificate (optional)

Please note that APS does not impose any language requirements on the candidates for the verification process. If language certificates are submitted on a voluntary basis, APS will check their formal authenticity. During the subsequent visa application, the visa section will reserve the right to ask candidates to submit language certificates. 

  • Read the APS checklist carefully. 
  • BSBI will manage the email communication with the APS centre.  
  • Do not spam email the APS centre. Those with unnecessary and repetitive email communications will be blocked and can also lead to their exclusion to the APS process.
  • Ensure that your email address is correct to avoid delays.
  • Always check your mailbox SPAM folder.
  • Make sure you are easily accessible through the phone number you have provided in the registration. APS will be in touch prior to the release of the certificate. Save this APS number: +91 11 6646 5580
  • For verification purposes, only emails coming from official domains of institutions will be accepted. 

Blocked bank account

Opening a blocked bank account is a relatively simple procedure. German students usually open an account with Deutsche Bank and the process can be done online here.

This is required as part of your visa process so German authorities have proof that you have a minimum of €11,208 in your account so you can fund your stay for at least the first year of your studies.

Do remember to start this process between 4-12 weeks before your semester begins in order to ensure you have allowed yourself plenty of time to access the money once your studies begin. The required amount that you put in will only be available to you once you’ve arrived in Germany.

Working while studying

Many students enjoy the freedom of working while studying. If you are interested in this, the German government allows students from India to work, however this is limited to 120 days per year or 240 half days annually. 

Please note that this includes voluntary work, and foreign students cannot work as freelancers, nor declare themselves to be self-employed.

Useful information

More information can be found at the German embassy in India.

Address:

6/50G, Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi 110021, India

FAQs

The maximum study gap allowed for Indian students applying for a German student visa is seven years. However, applicants are recommended to refer to the official guidelines provided by the German Federal Foreign Office for the most accurate and up-to-date information on a German student visa from India.

The German student visa allows you to stay in Germany for up to 9 months. You must show the visa officer that you have enough funds to support yourself for one year to obtain a visa. That is, you need to have a maintaining balance of €861 per month or €10,332 per annum (approximately) in a Blocked Account.

You must also apply for a residence permit at the Foreign Registration Office within two weeks of your arrival in Germany. A student residence permit is typically valid for a maximum of two years. If the duration of your programme exceeds this 2-year limit, then the permit must be renewed accordingly.

The financial proof required for a German visa is called Finanzierungsnachweis. In most cases, a German student visa from India requires around €11,208, along with a letter of commitment of your parent’s income records. You can open a blocked bank account as proof of your financial resources.

If you have any scholarships or sponsorships to provide you with financial support in Germany, then you must outline that in the resource section of your application.

Yes, the law in Germany requires every individual, including international students, to have health insurance. You must have health insurance to cover the finance in case of a medical emergency to obtain a valid study visa for Germany from India.