Gratis visa: Heres how Indian students can study in Germany without paying fee
To apply for gratis visa, aspirants need to complete an online application via the VIDEX platform or Consular Services Portal. Students planning to study abroad can plan to pursue short-term programmes in Germany without paying visa fees.
New Delhi: Indian students planning to study abroad can now opt to pursue short-term programmes in Germany without paying visa fees. Recently, both countries have signed an agreement on gratis visa, intending to promote educational exchanges and remove financial obstacles for aspiring students.
With this benefit, international education will be more inclusive and affordable for Indian students. With the gratis visa, which is a travel document issued free of charge, Indian students can plan for short-term academic visits to Germany. This initiative will help school and college students to take part in short-term courses, cultural exchanges and research collaborations without paying any visa fee, which will eventually encourage broader student mobility across both countries.
What is a gratis visa?
Gratis visa is generally given to particular travellers which include children under ten, some South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nationals, diplomatic visitors and United Nations Laissez-Passer holders. With the aim to encourage academic mobility, cultural exchange, and research collaborations this visa has been granted to Indian students.
How to apply for gratis visa?
The gratis visa is applicable for certain programmes. To apply it is necessary to complete an online application form via the VIDEX platform or Consular Services Portal. Students then need to have the necessary supporting documents such as financial proof, travel plans and others and then book an appointment at the German Embassy, Consulate or an authorised VFS Global centre. Next, submit the application and biometrics.
Germany is one of the top destinations for international students seeking to study abroad. The country has world-class institutions, dynamic academic environment and culturally rich cities. Some of the universities in the country provide tuition-free or at low cost to international students. As per the Germany University Living European Student Landscape Report 2024, the country has 3.43 million students which include 39,600 Indians and 422,188 other international students.