How to Get a German Student Visa From India?

German Student Visa Overview

Student Visa for Germany From India

Your purpose of visit would determine your German Visa Category. Applicants visiting the country for education are required to apply for a German Student Visa. Student visa for Germany from India is broadly divided into two categories. A course duration of six months or less would qualify for a Schengen Visa, whereas all courses that are longer than six months would qualify for a German Student Visa.  

Applicants will require to provide two fully completed application forms and the required declaration in duplicate, proof of acceptance and enrolment to an accredited academic institution in Germany, and two passport photographs as part of the student visa for Germany from India application process. Applicants must possess a valid passport/travel document, and provide proof of financial support through blocked account and also proof of ties to their home country. Applicants should note that student visa requirements would vary depending on the selected level of study, the applicant's educational background and the duration of the said course.

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• What is APS Certificate in Germany?
• APS Certificates Mandatory in Germany from Nov 1, Have you applied?
• Why APS Certificate is mandatory for Indian students in Germany?

Required Documents for the German Student Visa

German Visa checklist: Before filling out the application form and booking an appointment, please prepare two identical sets of documentation for your German student visa. Provided below is a German student visa checklist for all candidates planning to pursue higher education in the country.

German Visa Document Checklist

• Valid Passport (issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least another year as of the date of visa application; passports with observations regarding the front data page cannot be accepted) with at least two empty pages
• Application form & declaration (under Section 54 of the Residence Act) duly signed
• Declaration for Additional contact and legal representation information
• Copy of your passport’s data page (A4 size copy)
• Statement of purpose / Motivation letter
• Proof of admittance to the study course/preparatory college (original and 2 copies) including information on the language of instruction
• APS Certificate: Issued by Academic Evaluation Centre (APS India)
• Where not confirmed by the University in the admission notification: Proof of the language skills in the language of instruction for the study course or the preparatory course (without a preparatory language course as a rule at least B2-level in the language of instructions) (original and 2 copies)
• Where applicable: Certificates of other academic qualifications (original and 2 copies)
• Curriculum vitae
• Proof of financial means to cover the costs for the time of your studies by one of the following documents:
  • confirmation of a German / EU scholarship/stipend or
  • “Verpflichtungserklärung” (formal obligation letter) by a sponsor living in Germany or
  • blocked account for the first year of your stay, amounting to Euros 11,904 per year or Euros 992€ per month

• Three passport pictures according to biometric specifications, not older than six months
• Germany study visa fee of Euros 75€ payable in INR only (pls. check our website for payment options and applicable exchange rate)
• Travel health insurance is valid on arrival in Germany to the date of enrollment at the university (mentioned in your admission letter) (approx. three months). Kindly refer to www.india.diplo.de/visa to find out about the travel health insurance accepted

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Financial Requirements for German Student Visa: Blocked Account 

As of 2025, students must demonstrate financial means of at least €11,904 per year, equating to €992 per month. This is typically done by opening a blocked account in Germany. Some of the top blocked account banks in Germany are:

• Fintiba
• Expatrio
• Coracle

How to Apply for German Student Visa for Indian Students?

Now that candidates have got their German Visa checklist in order, let us quickly go through the step-by-step instructions on how to apply for Germany Student Visa for Indian students.

Step 1: Get Admission First

Before you apply for the visa, you must:

• Apply to a German university
• Wait for your letter of admission
• You can’t apply for a student visa without this letter

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents

You need to prepare 2 sets of the following:

• Valid passport
• Admission letter from the university
• Completed visa application form and Videx form
• APS Certificate (must for Indian students)
• Motivation letter and CV (Europass format)
• Proof of language skills (B2 level in German or English)
• Blocked account confirmation with at least €11,904
• Or, proof of scholarship or sponsorship
• Health insurance for at least 3 months
• 3 biometric passport photos
• Visa fee of €75 (pay in INR at the embassy)

Keep the documents neat. Do not staple them.

Step 3: Apply Through CSP Portal

Germany now uses a hybrid visa process through a website called digital.diplo.de (CSP portal).

Here’s how it works:

1. Create an account on the CSP portal
2. Fill the visa form online
3. Upload all your documents on the portal
4. After your documents are checked, you will get to book an appointment at VFS
5. Go to the VFS center on the date with all your original documents and give your biometrics

Step 4: Wait for the Visa Decision

• The visa processing usually takes between 4 to 12 weeks
• It may take longer in cities like New Delhi
• You will get a message or email once your visa is ready
• You can collect your passport and visa from VFS

Step 5: After You Arrive in Germany

After you land in Germany, you must:

• Register your address at the local town hall
• Go to the Ausländerbehörde (Foreigner’s Office)
• Convert your visa into a residence permit within 3 months

Take with you:

• University enrolment letter
• Address proof
• Health insurance card
• Passport and visa

Proof of funds (blocked account or sponsor)

Germany Study Visa Fees

Provided below are the Germany student visa fees 2024. Shortly before your appointment, please verify the current exchange rate. The Germany student visa cost is to be paid at the end of the visa appointment. The Germany student visa fee is not refundable, even if the visa is rejected. In some cases, the Germany student visa fee might be waived. Kindly check the official website for more information on the same. 

(€1 = ₹93.20)

What is the Germany student visa processing time from, India?

Germany study visa processing time: The student visa processing time for Germany from India would usually take up to 25 days. However, the Germany student visa processing time also depends on the German Embassy as well as the country you're applying from. In some instances, i.e. if the consulate requires additional documents or there is a high wait time, the Germany student visa processing time may also take up to 6-12 weeks, with the longest Germany student visa processing time being three months.

What if a German Student Visa is postponed or not approved?

It can happen at times that a student’s German student visa might get postponed, which just means you have to wait longer for an answer from the consulate about your case. Waiting for further response or action, or contacting the consulate, should be the next step. However, if the visa application is refused, you can reapply by paying the Germany study visa fees again and scheduling another appointment.

Possible Reasons for Visa Rejection

• Financial proof shown is not enough to support the student while studying in Germany.
• The applicant has not satisfied the visa officer that the primary intention in Germany is to study.

When to Apply for German Student Visa?

• University Admission: Apply to German universities at least 6 months before your intended start date.​
• Visa Application: Begin the visa application process 3 months prior to your course commencement.​
• Blocked Account Setup: Open and fund your blocked account at least 4 weeks before your visa appointment.

Arrival in Germany

Once you have arrived in Germany, your passport, German student visa, and an offer letter from the university will be verified by an immigration official at your point of entry, to see if and how long you can be admitted. Hence, make sure you have all documentation, including the information for your visa, and photocopies of your passport.

It is said ‘When in Rome do as the Romans do. Well! Taking a cue from this, consider learning the country’s native language German if you aspire to study in Germany. Hoardings, electricity bills and restaurant menus would be in the German language rather than English, so to make life easier a course in German before heading to the country would help in more ways than one.

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VFS Centre for Student Visa for Germany in India

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

Applicants can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors for assistance with German university admissions. Candidates can also get in touch with us with their queries in the comments section below. 

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