German National Visa – Checklist for Indian Students
Indian students applying for a national visa for studies in Germany must submit the following:
Essential Documents
- •Valid passport (issued within the last 10 years, with 2 empty pages)
- •Visa application form & declaration (Section 54 Residence Act, signed, 2 copies)
- •Declaration for additional contact and legal representation (signed, 2 copies)
- •Three biometric passport photos (identical, recent)
- •Copy of passport's data page (A4 size, 2 copies)
- •APS Certificate (mandatory unless exempted, e.g., PhD, scholarship holders, non-Indian degrees)
- •Letter of Admission (German university, Studienkolleg, or language course)
Must confirm language of instruction and degree details - •Proof of financial means (one of the following):
- -Blocked account (Sperrkonto) in Germany with €11,904 (max withdrawal €992/month), or
- -Formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a sponsor in Germany, or
- -Proof of a German/EU scholarship or stipend
- •Academic qualifications (original + 2 copies):
- -Bachelor applicants: 10th & 12th mark sheets, diploma/university degrees (if applicable)
- -Master applicants: Bachelor's degree and other relevant degrees
- -PhD/PostDoc applicants: Master's degree and additional degrees
- •Language proficiency (if not confirmed in Letter of Admission, not older than 1 year):
- -English: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Assessment English
- -German: Goethe Institut, Max Mueller Bhavan, ÖSD, TestDAF, DSH
- •Proof of tuition fee payment (if applicable)
- •Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- •Motivation letter (explaining study purpose, university choice, and subject selection)
- •Travel health insurance (valid for first 90 days from entry)
- •Visa fee (payable in INR)
Key Points
- •Prepare two identical sets (A4 copies)
- •Bring originals to your visa appointment
- •Additional documents or verification may be required (extra fees apply)
- •Processing takes 6-8 weeks as the application is sent to German Aliens' Authorities
- •Submission does not guarantee visa approval
- •Incomplete applications or false information may lead to rejection