Germany Free Short-Term Visa for Indian Students to Explore Careers

(GERMANY) Germany and India have agreed to remove visa fees for Indian students making short visits for study and research from September 2025, in a move officials say will lower costs and encourage more young people to test academic and career options in Europe’s largest economy.

The new gratis visa scheme applies to school and college groups, short research stays, cultural exchanges, and other education-linked trips of less than 90 days. It does not cover full degree programs. The policy took effect in September 2025, aligning with the fall intake at many German universities and the start of the Indian academic travel season.

What the gratis visa covers

• Eligible stays: Short-term educational travel up to 90 days tied to school, college, research, or cultural programs.
• Ineligible stays: Full degree programs and any stay longer than 90 days (these require the national student visa or D‑Visa).
• Effective date: September 2025.

Under the plan, Indian students applying for short-term student exchange visas won’t pay consular fees, reducing expenses for families and institutions that regularly send cohorts to summer schools, joint labs, hackathons, language courses, and university fairs.

Background and policy context

German and Indian officials have been working toward this opening since the 2022 India–Germany Mobility Partnership, which aimed to expand safe, legal pathways for study and skilled work.

Student mobility has already surged:

• More than 60,000 Indian students were enrolled in Germany in 2025, a roughly 20% year‑on‑year rise, with strong enrollment in STEM fields and master’s programs.

Germany’s pitch to prospective students includes:

• Low or no tuition at public universities
• Comparatively affordable living costs
• Clear post-study work options

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the gratis visa scheme could increase interest in trial programs and campus visits—especially for students who want to compare labs, meet faculty, and understand local life before committing to a degree.

Digital process changes

Since January 2025, student visa requests must be filed through the new Consular Services Portal, which centralizes document uploads, data entry, and appointment scheduling online.

• Start at the German Consular Services Portal
• Attend appointments at consulates or VFS centers in India

The portal is designed to reduce paperwork and improve tracking, reflecting a broader push to modernize processing and shorten decision times for both short and long stays.

Policy changes overview (fees, proof of funds, appeals)

• National student visa (D‑Visa) fee: €75
• Financial proof level (blocked account) for degree-seeking students: €11,904 per year
• Guidance on long-stay visas: German Missions in India and Make it in Germany

Legal appeals change:
– Since January 1, 2024, the traditional remonstration (administrative review) no longer applies in India.
– If a visa is refused, applicants must file a formal legal appeal in an administrative court. This route can be slower and may require legal support.
– Applicants should keep records of all submissions through the portal and plan enough time before travel.

Important: The removal of the remonstration option raises the potential cost and time of appeals. Families should factor in timelines and consider legal advice if a refusal occurs.

Practical gains and stakeholder views

Officials and universities see several practical benefits:

• Reduces barriers for high school groups, joint project teams, and early-career researchers attending workshops or lab visits.
• These short trips often influence major life choices: where to study, specialization choices, and decisions to pursue theses or PhDs.
• Sanjay Laul, founder of MSM Unify, called the decision a “game changer,” saying it removes cost and uncertainty for Indian institutions planning biannual exchanges and research camps.
• The DAAD notes Germany is the fourth-largest host of international students globally, and India is among its most important partner countries.

Work rights and post-study prospects

• International students on long-stay study permits can work up to 140 full days or 280 half-days per year, with no limits during semester breaks.
• These rules help STEM students take internships and part-time roles that fit coursework.
• After graduation, many move into skilled worker roles; more than half remain in Germany five years after receiving residence permits.
• Information for graduates on residence permits and employment pathways: Make it in Germany

Policymakers see this as a steady pipeline of trained talent supporting Germany’s labor market while giving graduates time to build careers and lives.

Impact on applicants — step-by-step and key points

For Indian students planning a short-term exchange, the steps are straightforward but timing matters. Appointments and processing can take weeks, so plan early even though visa fees are waived.

1. Check eligibility
   • Applicable for stays under 90 days tied to school, college, research, or cultural programs.
2. File the application
   • Use the German Consular Services Portal to upload documents and book an appointment at a consulate or VFS center.
3. Prepare documents
   • Invitation letters from the host institution
   • Proof of accommodation and funding
   • Travel insurance
   • Program schedule
4. If refused
   • Note the remonstration option was abolished; a formal court appeal is required for refusals.

For degree seekers:

• Use the D‑Visa route
• Budget for the €75 fee and the €11,904 blocked account proof
• Requirements can vary by consulate and course—check German Missions in India and consult university international offices

Timelines, equity, and practical examples

• The gratis visa effective September 2025 aligns with German university fall recruitment and Indian academic travel patterns.
• Eliminating fees for short visits may widen participation beyond major metro schools to public colleges and smaller cities, improving equity.
• Practical examples:
  • A high school robotics team from Pune can attend a two-week workshop in Bavaria without paying visa fees.
  • A master’s student in Delhi can visit a Berlin lab over winter break to test a research fit.
  • A professor in Chennai can send undergraduates and early researchers to a 30-day summer school without a visa-fee line item.

Caveats and challenges

• The new legal appeals route can be slower and more expensive than the old remonstration.
• The portal requires careful uploads and accurate data entry; errors can delay processing.
• For long-stay students, finding housing in major cities remains a challenge.
• The blocked account level (€11,904) reflects ongoing living cost pressures.

What to do next (practical advice)

• Build a timeline around program dates and apply weeks in advance for short-term visits.
• For long-stay degree applicants, use the portal early to secure appointments during peak periods.
• Consult DAAD for scholarships and country guides: DAAD
• Check official guidance for visa specifics at German Missions in India and Make it in Germany

Key takeaway: Short academic visits to Germany became more affordable to apply for as of September 2025, while rules for long-term study remain stable—use the D‑Visa route, budget for fees and living costs, and plan applications well ahead.

If the gratis visa expands access beyond major cities and supports a more diverse group of Indian students, officials expect the benefits will be felt in classrooms, labs, and workplaces across Germany for years to come.