For a long time, Germany has been at the forefront of higher education. With prestigious universities such as the Technical University of Munich, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Heidelberg University, Humboldt University of Berlin, Technical University of Berlin, and others, it has been the first choice for aspiring students. With the recent German visa policy declaration of free short-term education visas for Indian students, quality higher education has become more accessible and affordable.
Germany’s Visa Policy for Indians
Whether travelling to Germany or anywhere outside, your passport takes you places. It’s also the visa policies that make visiting a country easier or otherwise. Here we’ll elaborate on Germany’s visa policy for Indians. For visiting Germany, you would need a visa for shorter and longer stay durations; a Schengen short-stay visa (type C), which is for staying up to 90 days, and a national visa (type D), which is for more than 90 days. If you arrive in Germany on a National visa, then you will have to apply for a residence permit. Type C or the Schengen visa is typically for touring Germany, as well as casual or business visits, which are usually for shorter durations. On the other hand, Type D or the National Visa is usually used for longer staying purposes like studying, family requirements, working, and other similar reasons that require one to stay there for a longer time.
The existing visa norms and convenience of travel received a jolt after the ‘remonstration procedure’ was removed on July 1, 2025. What this means is, if your visa application is cancelled, you can no longer apply informally internally. Now, after the rejection, you will have to legally reapply or challenge the rejection. In addition to this, a student can also take the Gratis Visa for a shorter study tenure.
What Does This Mean for Indian Students?
The recent changes did alter a few things, causing benefits and a little inconvenience. When you take a closer look, the inconvenience is a significant push to make things better.
Reduced cost: Gratis visa allows students of both countries – India and Germany, to visit each other, even though for a shorter duration. However, a Gratis Visa is free, which makes this student exchange a free opportunity. Such short academic visits are an opportunity to make the best of it in lesser cost.
Better working prospects: Germany’s 18-day job-seeking permit and its skilled immigration reforms offer a significant window for securing employment. If you manage to get hired for stable employment after your graduation, then you can stay back. This is why more and more higher education students are keen on studying in German institutions.
More stress on first-time flawless applications: The abolition of the ‘remonstration procedure’ did come as a blow, but it pushed for flawless documentation and processing of the same. This is done to ensure your visa application is accepted on the first attempt.
Learning German becomes more important: The 18-month window that you get to secure a stable employment is also a test of time for your German language skills. Being fluent in German and English becomes more important than ever because if you don’t acquire your language skills, then you will fall short of networking, securing worthy internships, and the like. This is a challenge that comes along, but if you take this challenge and you work on your language skills, then you can turn the tide in your favour.
Not every change is meant to be a setback or jolt an existing process. Some may encourage actions and open up opportunities. The recent changes made to Germany’s visa policies for India actually did more good to aspiring Indian students than harm. Now, we can expect more students to opt for German institutions for their higher studies.
By now, you must know that the right documentation is the key to getting your application accepted. So, it would be wise to take help from the best foreign education consultant in Kolkata to never go wrong with it. The Taksheela Institute of Education is a Kolkata-based abroad education consultant that has been successfully serving students and their varying needs. Make sure to book your consultation with them well in advance.