student visa in germany from india
If you are a student who is India and planning to study in Germany, then you have landed on the most important page of your search. I am going to discuss all the basic points that you need to know while applying for a student visa. I will also give you some useful information on how to apply for a student visa in Germany, which is mandatory if you wish to study there.
When you are thinking about relocating to Germany, the first thing that pops into your mind is about Student Visa. It is one of the most important documents you need before moving to the country. You would definitely want to learn what procedure is required for getting a Student Visa in Germany as well as few information about the visa process, getting health insurance and living costs .
In this guide we hope to provide you with all the essential details that you need to know about studying in Germany. We have covered a wide variety of topics for students interested in studying in Germany and compiled them into an easy to read, understandable format that provides you with all the information that you need in one place.
The student visa in Germany from India is a big opportunity for students to study in Germany. The student visa in Germany from India is one of the most popular destinations for Indian students wanting to study abroad.
If you are interested in getting a student visa for Germany, then you need to know about the application procedure and what kind of documents you need to submit. In this article, we will present some information on how to get a student visa for Germany and what documents you need to submit when applying.
Getting a student visa in Germany is not easy. You need to have a valid passport and an admission letter from the school you want to attend. The application process for getting a visa is lengthy, but it is possible if you follow the instructions below.
The first step is to apply for your online Profile Exchange Document (PED) at the German embassy in New Delhi or Bangalore. This can take up to five working days, so make sure you apply early! Once your PED has been issued by the embassy, you can begin applying for your visa.
You need to submit these documents:
-A valid passport with at least two blank pages
-A copy of your PED (the original will be returned)
-A visa application form (you can download this here)
-Your birth certificate or passport photo page (with name, date of birth and nationality)
-Letter from your university confirming that they will provide accommodation and food while studying there as well as proof that they have enough money to support themselves while doing so (usually 4000 euros per month).
What Type of Visa Do Indian Students Need to Study in Germany?
First and foremost, you must know what German visa type you’re entitled to. There are several types of visas issued by German embassies, including Tourist & Visitor Visa, Job Seeker Visa, Studying & Language Learning Visa, Working Visa, Business to mention a few.
Visas issued by German authorities in India are also differentiated according to the intended duration of your stay in Germany. In accordance with this, German visas are divided into
- Short-term visas
- Long-term visas
As a foreign student, you will have to stay in Germany for more than six months, therefore you need to apply for a Long-term visa which is known as a D visa.
German Visa Requirements for Indian Students – 2021/22
Now that you know what type of visa you need and you have arranged a meeting at the embassy let’s move into the next stage, which is the most important after all; requirements.
Make sure you have secured proper financial means for studying in Germany. One of the easiest and the best way to convince the authorities that you have enough money to cover your study and living cost is by opening a so-called Blocked bank account.
We suggest opening a blocked bank account with Fintiba. Fintiba is a German company and is officially approved by the German Federal Foreign Office, as well as the German embassy/consulates in India.
Along with other documents, the German embassy/consulate in India will also require you to get a health insurance policy before granting you a student visa.
What Documents Do Indian Students Need to Apply for a Study Visa to Germany?
Indian students must submit the following documents when applying for a German student visa:
- A valid passport. – Note that your Indian passport must have been issued within the past 10 years and its validity has to extend at least 12 months after the scheduled return.
- An application form filled properly. – You can download it from the website of the German embassy/consulate you will apply at.
- A copy of your Indian Passport. – Format A4
- A cover letter. – Explaining the purpose of your visit.
- A letter of admission from a German Institution.
- The payment of university fees (if applicable).
- Proof of language proficiency. – English or German depending on which language is your course taught.
- Proof of financial means. – To cover the cost of living in Germany. You can prove the required financial capacities by means of a blocked account. Read more about the German blocked account for Indian students.
- Proof of health insurance. – To cover your medical needs in Germany (Initially you can purchase travel health insurance in India to cover you for at least three months which should suffice to arrive in Germany and enrol on your course.
> Click here to learn more about getting health insurance for Indian students by DR-WALTER.
Important note: Make sure your application includes a copy of each document mentioned above alongside the original copy. Also, note that the German embassy/consulate in India can request you additional documents if needed.
Germany Study Visa Fees for Indian Students
Indian students applying for a German student visa are charged certain fees.
The table below shows current fee costs for German D-Visa in India:
| Type of Visa | Visa Fee (Rupee) | Visa Fee (Euro) |
| National Visa (under 18 years old) | 3100 | 37.50 |
| National Visa (over 18 years old) | 6200 | 75 |
Making Your Visa Appointment at the German Embassy/Consulate in India
You have to book an appointment at the German embassy to submit your student visa application. The appointment can be arranged online or through a telephone number. To do so, check the embassy’s website to apply online or get the contact number.
Listed below are the six German embassies in India and eligible applicants:
Visa Application Centre Bhutan – Bhutanese and third-country legal residents in Bhutan.
German Embassy, New Delhi – Citizens of these Indian states: Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand including the Union Territories of Chandigarh, NCT of Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep including Minicoy and Amini.
German Consulate General, Chennai – Citizens of Andra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Pondicherry.
General Consulate General, Bengalaru – Citizens of Karnataka and Kerala.
German Consulate General, Mumbai – Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Daman and Diu.
German Consulate General, Kolkata – Citizens of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkand, Orissa, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.
Note that the following categories of Indian students don’t need to make an appointment to apply for a German student visa:
- Master students
- Doctoral Students
- Postdoctoral Students
- Scholarship holders
- Some highly skilled professionals
If you’re one of the above students you can skip the wait time and go directly at the German embassy in India.
Appointment Day
German embassy/consulates in India have a heavily loaded work agenda and you might have to wait several months before getting a second appointment. Don’t expect them to deviate from their daily workflow just to focus their whole commitment on you.
With that in mind, it is very important you make sure everything is in its place on the appointment day. Check your paperwork carefully, multiple times if needed, to see if you have forgotten anything by accident. On the day of the appointment, leave early so you’ll be on time. We suggest you appear at the German embassy at least 30 minutes before the scheduled meeting.
The meeting lasts for about 10 minutes until the officer there goes through your application and asks you a few questions regarding the intention of your visit to Germany.
An important note: VFS Global is in charge of collecting German visa applications in India. That said, their service is administrative in nature and the embassy is in charge of deciding whether you’ll take or not your student visa.
Track Your German Student Visa Application
The good thing about applying for a German student visa in India is that you can track your application at any time. Usually, the website of VFS in India has a separate page where you can seek information about the processing stage of your application. To have access to this page you need your Reference number and your Last name.
The processing time of your application may vary between 15 to 60 calendar days depending on the embassy’s workload and the need for a scrutinize checking. Commonly it takes about 10 working days after the submission or after the interview.
But, keep in mind that additional documents may be required and this may account for a further delay. At the maximum, you’ll receive a response 60 days after your German student visa submission.
Important Deadlines for Indian Students
Timing is an important thing in the whole process and we really hope you’re someone who is good at meeting deadlines. Due to the embassy’s workload, it is important you make an appointment as soon as the university confirms you’ve been given a place.
In general, it is recommended you start the German student visa application process at least three months before your course in Germany starts. On the appointment day, it is mandatory to be on time because you may lose your meeting and the embassy does not owe you any explanation.
Similarly, be on time on the day you’ll get your German student visa.
Important Notes for Indian Students
- Check your application file multiples times, so you don’t miss a single document and there’s no need for seeking a second appointment, which in turn can cost you a lot of time.
- Don’t underestimate details. A single missing signature can lead to procession delays and sometimes to complete rejection.
- Leave early on the day of the appointment so you don’t end up late for your meeting at the embassy because of traffic.
- Read the embassy’s security guidelines so, on the day of the appointment, you act as expected from you.
How Long Do I Have to Wait for an Appointment for a German Student Visa in India?
According to the official data from the German Missions in India, the wait times for student visa appointments are as follows:
- German Embassy in New Delhi – up to 10 weeks.
- German Consulate General in Kolkata – up to 1 week.
- German Consulate General Bangalore – up to 2 workdays.
- German Consulate General in Chennai – up to 2 workdays.
- German Consulate General in Mumbai – up to 2 workdays.
The German Embassy in New Delhi receives the highest number of applications, which is why the wait times are disproportionately long compared to the Consulates. However, regardless of how long you may need to wait, you cannot apply to the German Mission of another jurisdiction since it will be immediately rejected.
Getting health insurance
All Indian students who travel to Germany have to get health insurance. If you are under 30 years of age, you have to register for public health insurance (also known as “statutory”). Indian students over the age of 30 can only get private insurance, such as DR. Walter’s EDUCARE24 Comprehensive Plan.
Either type has its own benefits, and they both offer adequate coverage. If you are unsure about which type of health insurance you should get once you get to Germany, you can check here.
Getting your student residence permit
Since your German student visa is only valid for three months after arrival, you have to get a residence permit. To apply for a residence permit, you need:
- The letter of acceptance to the university.
- Proof of your blocked account.
- The Certificate of Registration.
- Proof of health insurance.
You must submit the application for the residence permit at the local Ausländerbehörde (Foreigner’s Office).
Conclusion
German universities attract a large number of Indian students. According to the latest enrollment data, India is the third most popular country of origin for international students in Germany. As of 2017/18 Winter Semester, 17,570 Indian students were attending university in Germany, 48% more than three years ago.
A common problem that all these students have surely faced during the application process is the German student visa. The majority of Indian students lack proper information and often miss out on important details due to limited guidance.