Germany Waives Student Visa Fee for Short-Term Indian Programmes

In a move aimed at strengthening educational and cultural exchange, Germany has announced that Indian students enrolling in short-term academic programmes, research projects or cultural exchanges will no longer need to pay visa fees. This “gratis visa” policy removes a significant financial barrier and is expected to encourage greater participation from India.

What the Change Means

• Visa fees waived for Indian students undertaking short-term academic or cultural programmes. These are not the long-term degree programmes such as full master’s or PhD degrees, which continue under the existing visa fee structure.
• Other key visa regulations remain in place, including increased requirements for proof of funds and updates in application process. Applicants must show financial proof of €11,904 annually to account for living costs.

Why It Matters

• Germany has become increasingly popular among Indian students: for the 2023-24 winter semester, about 49,500 Indian students were enrolled in German universities. This marks a 15.1% increase over the previous year. Over the past five years, the number of Indian students in Germany has more than doubled.
• German institutions are well-regarded globally, especially in STEM fields, and many offer low or no tuition fees for international students, making Germany an attractive destination.

Things to Note

• The gratis visa does not apply to degree programmes like full master’s or PhD courses. Students in those programmes must continue with existing visa rules and fees.
• Even with fee waiver, applicants must meet the financial proof requirement, which ensures that living expenses can be covered.
• Digital application via the government’s portal is now mandatory.

Source : https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/study/germany-has-a-15-5-billion-reason-to-not-shun-international-students/articleshow/119639753.cms