Germany Student Visa 2025: How to Apply, Cost & Processing Time

As of the 2023-2024 winter semester, nearly 50,000 Indian students are studying in Germany, making them the largest group of international students in the country. 

This number has more than doubled over the past five years, highlighting Germany's growing appeal to Indian students.

Germany's public universities offer minimal tuition fees, and the country provides ample opportunities for international students to work during and after their studies.

For instance, students can work up to 140 full days or 280 half-days per year without needing approval from the Federal Employment Agency. 

Additionally, after graduation, international students can apply for an 18-month residence permit to seek employment related to their field of study.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the essentials of obtaining a Germany student visa, including the types of visas available, requirements, application steps, costs, processing times, and post-arrival procedures.

Anyone who plans to study in Germany for more than 90 days needs a student visa.

If you are an Indian student, or from any country outside the EU/EEA, and your course duration is longer than three months, a student visa is mandatory. This applies whether you're joining a bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, foundation course, or even a long-term German language programme.

Even students from visa-exempt countries must apply for a residence permit after entering Germany if they’re staying longer than 90 days.

So, whether you're going for a full-time degree or just starting with a preparatory course, you’ll need to apply in advance through the nearest German Embassy or Consulate.

Read: How to Get Admission in Germany?

You would be required to apply for German student visa for undergraduate, exchange, graduate, or postgraduate courses along with any non-academic course. There are three types of student visa to study in Germany, which have been tabulated below:

When the university accepts your application, you have to wait for your letter of acceptance or complete an entrance examination. During this period, you can apply for German student visa.

Read: Visa Regulations in Germany

To apply for a Germany student visa, Indian students must submit specific documents that prove their admission, financial stability, and eligibility. Make sure everything is ready before scheduling your visa appointment.

Here’s the list of key Germany student visa requirements:

• Valid passport: Must be valid for the full duration of your stay in Germany.
• Letter of admission: A confirmed offer or acceptance letter from a recognised German university.
• Proof of funds: You must show a blocked account with INR 9 lakhs (EUR 11,208) to cover one year of living expenses.
• Health insurance: Minimum coverage of EUR 30,000 (approx. INR 27 lakhs) valid for at least 3 months.
• Academic transcripts: All previous education certificates and mark sheets (Class 10, 12, bachelor's, etc.).
• Language proficiency: IELTS score of 5.5 to 6.0, or equivalent TOEFL score of 550 or higher.
• Updated CV or résumé: Includes academic background and relevant work, if any.
• Two biometric passport-size photographs: As per Germany visa photo guidelines.
• Visa application form and fee payment proof: Filled form and visa fee receipt of INR 6,600 (EUR 75).
• Health certificate (if asked): Only required in specific cases.

Note: All financial documents must be recent and official. As of 2024, the required blocked account amount has increased from EUR 10,332 to EUR 11,208, according to daad.de.

Read: Part-time Jobs for Students in Germany 

Now you know what are the requirements for student visa in Germany. Next, let’s explore how to apply student visa for Germany from India.

Getting a student visa for Germany is a step-by-step process. It’s not very difficult, but you must follow it properly and prepare in advance. For Indian students, it’s best to start at least 3 months before your course begins.

Here’s how to apply for a Germany student visa in 2025:

Step 1: Secure Admission to a German University

Before anything else, you need an official admission letter (Zulassungsbescheid) from a recognised German university or institution. Without this, you can't proceed with your visa application.

Step 2: Open a Blocked Account (Sperrkonto)

Transfer EUR 11,208 (approx. INR 9 lakhs) into a blocked account, which proves you can cover one year’s living expenses in Germany. Choose an approved provider like Fintiba, Expatrio, or Deutsche Bank. You’ll need this proof during your visa interview.

Step 3: Purchase Travel Health Insurance

Get a 90-day travel health insurance policy with minimum coverage of EUR 30,000 (about INR 27 lakhs). This is mandatory for visa approval. Once you reach Germany, you’ll switch to a public student health insurance plan (TK, AOK, etc.).

Step 4: Gather All Required Documents

Prepare a complete set of documents, including:

• Valid passport with at least 2 blank pages
• Admission letter
• Proof of blocked account
• Academic transcripts (Class 10–Bachelor’s)
• IELTS/TOEFL scores
• CV, SOP, photos as per embassy guidelines
• Visa application form
• Visa fee payment receipt
• Health certificate (if required)

Step 5: Book a Visa Appointment

Go to the official website of the German Missions in India (www.germany.info) and book an appointment at the nearest visa centre: New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, or Kolkata. Appointment slots fill fast, book early.

Step 6: Attend the Visa Interview

On your appointment day, bring all documents in original + photocopies. During the interview, be prepared to answer basic questions.

Read: How about Studying in Germany?

The German student visa application Fees is 75 EUR (INR 6,600). Students have to pay the fees through cheque. Credit card and debit card payments are not accepted. The money order should be in the name of the Embassy or the Consulate of Germany in your home country and should be done within two months. Also, the student visa for Germany from India cost around 5,965 INR.

Note: In case your application is rejected, the money is refunded back.

Suggested: Living Cost in Germany

• Long-stay visas (more than 90 days): Takes 6 to 12 weeks

• Short-stay visas: Takes 15 to 30 days

It’s best to apply 3 months in advance, especially for the winter intake (starting September/October), as appointment slots fill up fast.

Here are the post-arrival steps for the Germany student visa:

Blocked Account for Germany Student Visa

One of the most important requirements for getting your Germany student visa is a blocked account. This is an account where you deposit money to prove you can support yourself during your stay.

• Amount required (2024–2025): EUR 11,208 (approx. INR 9 lakhs)

• Purpose: This money covers your living expenses for one year — including food, rent, travel, and health insurance.

• Monthly withdrawal limit: You can withdraw about EUR 934 (approx. INR 75,000) per month after arriving in Germany.

• Where to open it: Popular options include Fintiba, Expatrio, and Deutsche Bank. These are approved by the German government.

Make sure your blocked account is set up and confirmed before your visa interview, as you’ll need to show proof of funds.

What to Do After Arriving in Germany

Once you land in Germany, your visa is just the beginning. You’ll need to complete a few key steps to continue your studies smoothly:

• Register your address (Anmeldung): Within the first 2 weeks of arrival, register your address at the local Bürgeramt (citizen office).

• Get your student health insurance: Switch from travel insurance to long-term German student health insurance. It’s mandatory.

• Apply for a residence permit: Before your student visa expires (usually after 3 months), apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners’ Office (Ausländerbehörde).

• Activate your blocked account: After Anmeldung and getting your student ID, you'll be able to start withdrawing funds monthly.

These steps are crucial for staying legally in Germany and accessing services like health cover, university registration, and part-time work options.

Your Germany student visa is usually valid for 3 months when you first arrive. This is only a temporary entry visa. Within those 3 months, you must apply for a residence permit, which extends your stay based on the duration of your course.

• Residence permit duration: Matches your programme length: (e.g. 2 years for a master’s, 3 years for a bachelor's)

• Can be extended if needed, as long as you're enrolled and meeting course requirements

Yes, international students are allowed to work part-time while studying in Germany. But there are limits:

• 120 full days OR 240 half days per year: This is the maximum allowed without special permission.

• No work permit needed for these hours: You can work on-campus or off-campus, in any part-time job or internship.

If you want to work more than this, you’ll need approval from the local Foreigners’ Authority (Ausländerbehörde) and the Federal Employment Agency. Working part-time helps cover your living costs and gives you exposure to the job market. 

Just make sure your job doesn’t affect your studies.

All international students staying in Germany for more than 90 days must apply for a residence permit after arriving.

Once you enter Germany with your student visa, you have 3 months to apply for a temporary residence permit. This permit lets you legally live and study in Germany for the duration of your programme.

• Where to apply: At the local Foreigners’ Office (Ausländerbehörde) in your city

• When to apply: Within 90 days of arrival

• Permit duration: Matches your course length (usually 2–3 years)

Your residence permit will be a physical card, and you'll need to carry it along with your passport when travelling or dealing with official work in Germany.

Read: Germany Student Visa Rejection Reasons

Post the Germany student visa application process, you will have to give the Germany student visa interview, which is quite an important part of the entire process. The questions asked in the interview usually consist of generic questions, including personal and university-based questions. The interview is extremely essential in order to get acceptance for the Germany study visa.

The German student visa process has seen a few important updates recently that Indian students should know before applying. These changes affect both visa requirements and application timelines.

Here’s what’s new:

• Blocked account amount increased: The required blocked account balance is now EUR 11,208 (about INR 9 lakhs), up from the previous EUR 10,332. This ensures students have enough to cover living costs in Germany.
• Longer processing times for Indian applicants: Due to high demand, German embassies in India now recommend booking visa appointments 3 to 4 months in advance, especially for the winter intake.
• Tighter checks on financial proof: Students are now being asked for more detailed financial documentation. Make sure your blocked account confirmation is in the exact required format.
• Pre-departure health insurance is now mandatory: Travel health insurance covering a minimum of EUR 30,000 for 90 days is compulsory even before you reach Germany. You’ll switch to a student insurance plan after arrival.
• Online application portals introduced at some embassies: Some German missions in India have introduced online document submission to speed up the application review process.

Studying in Germany sounds amazing - low tuition, great universities, solid job options. And it is. But the visa process? That’s where most students hit a wall.

Not because it’s impossible. But because it’s confusing.
Blocked account? Which bank? What even is a residence permit?
Documents, appointments, timelines, it gets messy fast.

That’s where we come in. At Yocket premium, we’ve done this a hundred times over. We know what trips students up. We know what the embassy looks for. And we know how to make the whole thing easier.

So if you're sitting there with 17 tabs open and no clue where to start, breathe. We’ve got you. Let's get it done, one step at a time.