Germany student visa from India 2026: APS, blocked account & documents
The national visa for studies step by step: the APS certificate, the €11,904 blocked account, the documents the German Missions in India ask for, and what happens after you graduate.
Indian students need a German national visa for studies, applied for through the Consular Services Portal. You'll usually need an APS certificate, proof of admission and proof of funds, most often a blocked account of €11,904 for the first year (€992 a month). Start early: APS checks and visa appointments can take months. After graduating, you can stay up to 18 months to look for work.
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What are the steps for a German student visa from India?
- Get admission to a full-time degree programme, a Studienkolleg or a preparatory language course.
- Get your APS certificate, if it applies to you (most Indian applicants).
- Open and fund a blocked account, or arrange another accepted proof of funds.
- Buy health insurance valid from your arrival date.
- Apply through the Consular Services Portal, upload your documents and attend your appointment.
- Pay the visa fee in rupees; check the current amount on the German Missions in India website before your appointment.
What is the APS certificate?
The Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) at the German Embassy in New Delhi checks your Indian school and university documents before you apply for the visa. The German Missions in India list it as usually required for applicants with Indian credentials, with listed exemptions. Apply for it as soon as you shortlist universities, because it can take weeks.
How much money do I need in the blocked account?
For 2026, the standard proof of funds is a blocked account holding €11,904 for the first year, released to you at €992 a month after you arrive. Instead of a blocked account, you can use a formal obligation letter from a sponsor in Germany, an eligible scholarship or, in some cases, an education loan.
- Send a little more than €11,904 to cover provider fees and exchange-rate changes.
- Some providers bundle health insurance with the blocked account.
- See the full budget in our MS in Germany cost guide.
Which documents do the German Missions in India ask for?
- Passport issued within the last 10 years, with at least 2 empty pages.
- 10th and 12th mark sheets, plus semester mark sheets for bachelor's; your previous degree and mark sheets for master's or PhD.
- Proof of language skills, at the level your course requires (B1 to C1).
- APS certificate, unless you're exempt.
- Proof of admission.
- Statement of intent: a letter about your study plan.
- CV in English or German, in table form.
- Proof of funds (blocked account, sponsor, scholarship or eligible loan).
- Health insurance valid from your arrival date, and fee proof for private universities or language courses.
Need to skip IELTS? See Germany without IELTS. Compare countries in our visa documents checklist.
What happens after I graduate?
Graduates of German universities can get a residence permit of up to 18 months to look for a job related to their degree. Read our post-study work comparison and, for funding, the DAAD scholarship guide.
Official sources
Figures on this page were checked on 23 Oct 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm the current numbers on the official site before you pay or apply.
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Frequently asked questions
How much money is required for a Germany student visa?
For 2026, a blocked account of €11,904 for the first year, released at €992 a month, is the standard proof. A sponsor's obligation letter, an eligible scholarship or a loan can replace it in some cases.
Is APS mandatory for a German student visa?
The German Missions in India list the APS certificate as usually required for applicants with Indian school or university credentials, with some exemptions.
Where do I apply for a German student visa in India?
Through the Consular Services Portal, which handles the national visa for studies for applicants in India.
Can I work in Germany after my master's?
Yes. Graduates can get a residence permit of up to 18 months to look for a job related to their degree.
Do I need IELTS for a German student visa?
You need proof of language skills at the level your course requires. Many English-taught programmes accept IELTS or TOEFL; some accept other proof. See our Germany without IELTS guide.
Can Abbacy help with my Germany visa?
Yes. We plan your APS, blocked account and document set, and run a mock interview, free of charge.
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