Visa Process for Germany for Indian students

The German Student Visa are two types – for long Stay and one for a short stay (3-6 months)

Most Indian students require the longer stay visa – National Visa D type. Here we will talk about this one specifically.

Steps Involved

1.Admission Letter

• Receive a university admission letter (Zulassungsbescheid) from a German institution.
• Language: Course must be in English or German (IELTS/TOEFL/Goethe/ZD required accordingly)

2. Blocked Bank Account

• Open a Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) in Germany (e.g., Expatrio, Coracle, Fintiba).
• Deposit at least €11,208 (as of 2025, ~₹10 lakhs), enough for 12 months

3. Prepare Documents for Visa Appointment

Here’s the standard checklist:

• Valid passport (min. 12 months validity)
• University admission letter
• Proof of funds (Blocked account confirmation)
• Health insurance (can be from India or Germany)
• Academic certificates & transcripts
• Proof of language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL/Goethe)
• CV and Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• APS Certificate (Mandatory since Nov 2022 for Indian students) – Get it from APS India: https://aps-india.de/
• Visa application form
• Passport-sized photos (biometric)
• Visa fee: €75 (approx. ₹6,500)

4. Visa Processing

• Book your appointment via VFS Global (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/deu)
• Choose German Mission based on your jurisdiction (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, etc.)
• Take all originals + 2 sets of photocopies.
• Be prepared to answer:
  • Why this university?
  • What is your career goal?
  • How will you fund your studies?
• Processing time: 4–12 weeks, depending on the embassy and season.
• Once approved:
  • Book tickets
  • Arrange temporary accommodation
  • Carry all originals + insurance + blocked account details

All the best!!