German Visa for Indian Students: Answers to Your Important Questions

German Visa for Indian Students: A recent report by the German Academic Exchange Service – DAAD has revealed that Germany continues to enjoy the status of being one of the most sought-after study abroad destinations for Indian students. The report released in September 2024 indicates that the number of Indian students in Germany has increased by 15.1% to 49,483 since 2023. Its further states that Indian students have formed the largest international community in Germany for the second consecutive year.

Apart from being home to some of the best academic institutions, one of the major reasons why Germany is so popular among Indian students is that the country offers free education to both domestic and international students. In other words, most of the public universities in Germany offer their undergraduate degrees and many of their postgraduate degrees for free.

Now, are you also planning to move to Germany soon for higher education and want to know what you can do with a student visa? Well, worry not. In this article, we will briefly discuss some of the important questions that Indian students may have in their minds regarding German study visa, as presented in a report by media.

German Visa: Type of Visa and Residence Permit

According to the report, a student visa is required for anyone planning to attend university or preparatory school in Germany. Once the student enters the country, he or she must also apply for a student residence permit at the foreign authority. The report explicitly advises students not to enter Germany on a tourist visa, as this type of visa cannot be converted into a residence permit upon arrival in the country.

There are three types of residence permits:

I) Residence permit to attend university

II) Residence permit to attend Studienkolleg (preparatory college)

III) Residence permit to attend a language course.

Cost of student visa in Germany:

The cost of a student visa in Germany is around €75 or INR 6640.

Visa processing duration:

According to the report, the visa process can take 15 to 30 days after the interview for the visa. In some cases, this period may be extended if more documents are requested, or if there are more applications.

Working while studying:

The report states that international students in Germany are allowed to work part-time (20 hours per week) during semesters and full-time (40 hours per week) during breaks each year, without any kind of work permit. Students enrolled in short-term language or preparatory courses are prohibited from engaging in employment.

If students are DAAD scholarship holders, they will need DAAD permission for any paid work while studying.
Also Read: Study in Germany For Free with Stipend After 12th for Indian Students