Germany Student Visa from India 2026-2027: Process, Documents and Fee

How do I apply for a German student visa from India?

Apply online through the Federal Foreign Office's Consular Services Portal. The German missions in India say online application is obligatory for student visas. You answer a questionnaire, upload your documents and pass a completeness check, then receive a link to book an on-site appointment, where you give your fingerprints and photo and pay the fee.

1. Get your admission letter from a German university, Studienkolleg or language course.
2. Get your APS certificate, unless you are exempt. See our APS guide.
3. Open and fund a blocked account, or arrange another accepted proof of money (see below).
4. Start the application in the Consular Services Portal. Choose "Study purposes and seeking a university place" and answer the questionnaire carefully: you cannot change the visa sub-type later without starting again.
5. Upload your documents. The portal tells you what each upload needs.
6. Pass the completeness check and book your on-site appointment through the link you receive.
7. Attend the appointment with the originals of all your documents, give your biometrics and pay the fee.

Documents required for a Germany student visa for Indian students

The German missions in India list: a passport issued within the last 10 years with two empty pages, your previous degree or school certificate with mark sheets, recognised language proof, your APS certificate or proof of exemption, your admission letter, a motivation letter, a CV, proof of money, proof of fees paid if any, and health insurance.

The missions say they may ask for more documents or for verification of certificates, for which extra fees may be charged.

How much is the Germany student visa fee?

The German missions in India say the national visa fee is ₹8,300 (€75) for applicants over 18 and ₹4,200 (€37.50) for applicants under 18. It is paid in rupees at the exchange rate on the day of your on-site appointment. It is a processing fee and is not refunded if the visa is refused or you withdraw.

An external service provider charges its own service fee on top. Foreign nationals holding a scholarship from public funds may be exempt from the visa fee; the missions' fee page lists this exemption. Ask your mission if it applies to you.

How long does a German student visa take?

The German missions in India do not publish a fixed processing time on their current student pages. Their earlier student checklist, last updated September 2024, said processing takes six to eight weeks because the application is forwarded to the Aliens' Authority in Germany. Plan for at least that and apply as soon as you have your admission letter.

Start the online application early, because appointment availability can also add time. If your semester starts soon, do not wait for a reply from the university on a second programme before applying for the visa.

How much money do I need to show for a German student visa?

For a blocked account, the German missions in India ask for enough money for the first year of studies, currently €11,904, with a blocking confirmation that no more than €992 a month can be withdrawn. You can also show a sponsor's Formal Declaration of Commitment or a German or EU scholarship. If you have an education loan, provide proof of it as well.

At the European Central Bank reference rate of ₹106.06 per euro on 27 October 2026, €11,904 is about ₹12,62,600. Read our blocked account guide for how to open and fund one.

Does a German student visa need IELTS?

You need proof of the language you will study in, from a recognised certificate. The German missions in India name IELTS or ALTE members for English, and Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan, ÖSD or telc for German. They say Duolingo, Pearson PTE and TOEFL home edition tests are not recognised for visa applications in India.

For a preparatory course in German, the missions ask for German at least at B1. The portal questionnaire also asks whether you have B2 German; answer yes only if you really do, or you will have to start the application again.

Is there an interview for a German student visa?

Be ready for one. The German missions in India say that refusing to appear for a visa interview may lead to your application being rejected. At the on-site appointment you give your biometrics and must bring the originals of all your documents. Know your programme, your finances and your plans after graduation.

Our German student visa interview guide lists the questions students are asked most often, and our guide to visa rejection reasons covers what goes wrong.

What is the success rate of German student visas from India?

The German missions in India do not publish a student visa success rate, so any figure you see online is not official. What you control is the application itself: complete documents, a recognised language certificate, the correct mission, enough money shown in the accepted form, and a clear motivation letter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for a German student visa without an admission letter?

The student checklist asks for an admission letter, a Studienkolleg admission or a language course confirmation. If you are still waiting for admission, look at the visa for seeking a university place, which the portal lists in the same category.

Is the visa fee refunded if my visa is refused?

No. The German missions in India say the fee is a processing fee and is not reimbursed after a refusal or withdrawal.

Do I need travel insurance or full health insurance?

The current student checklist asks for a certificate of compulsory health insurance from your intended date of arrival in Germany. See our health insurance guide for students.

Sources

• German Missions in India: Studies, including preparatory college and language courses (student checklist, 16 February 2026)
• German Missions in India: National visa (Consular Services Portal, fee, responsible mission; 1 October 2026)
• German Missions in India: Visa fees (exemptions)
• German Missions in India: Checklist for a German national visa, students (September 2024)
• Federal Foreign Office: Consular Services Portal
• European Central Bank: Euro reference rate for INR

Reknown Edu Services® is a private consultancy and is not part of the German missions in India. Only the missions decide on visas.