Over the past decade, Germany has become a popular study destination abroad among international students. According to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), international students at German universities have grown exponentially in the current winter semester. The new data by DAAD shows that Germany is home to more than 330,000 international students enrolled at various universities in the nation.
In fact, students from India alone make up the second-largest international group in Germany. So, the German Embassy/Consulate in India usually takes around 15-30 days to process a student visa after the interview. While the typical student visa processing time for Germany is 25 days, it can take up to 6-12 weeks in some instances after the interview in India. Therefore, students are strongly advised to apply for a student visa as soon as they receive a letter of admission from the German university.
Germany visa for students is essential for Indians when planning to study in the ‘land of ideas.’ Only citizens from the 26 European countries have the privilege of free and equal access to the Schengen member states, including Germany. As India is a part of the non-Schengen countries, Indian nationals travelling to Germany for any purpose, such as travel, education, or work, need to apply for a Schengen visa.
That’s not all. Indian students also need to apply for a residence permit besides a student visa if the duration of the programme is longer than 90 days. Now, we delve into the document’s checklist for a German student visa in India.
Essential documents for a German student visa in India
Here is the list of documents that an Indian applicant would require to apply for a German student visa:
- Health insurance certificate
- A valid Indian passport
- Two passport size photographs with biometric specifications
- Proof of covered finances (blocked account)
- Academic degrees/certificates
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Letter of acceptance from a German university
- Resume
- Residence permit fee
- Demand draft
- A printout of the signed document checklist
Fee and payment method for a German student visa in India
It costs around INR 6,628.03 (EUR 75) to apply for a German student visa in India. Indian students need to submit the student visa fee through Demand Draft at the time of their interview at the German Embassy/Consulate. Please remember that the visa application fee is non-refundable.
How can Indian students apply for a German student visa?
Applying for a German student visa is not daunting until you know the proper application procedure. Many students often face difficulties applying for a German visa due to a lack of proper information.
Interested students can find the nearest German Consulate/Embassy in India and make an appointment online after reviewing visa requirements and procedures. After getting an appointment, they can appear for the interview on the given date and pay the visa application fee at the time of the interview. Apply now!