Germany Visa Process Changed from Feb 17, 2025. For example If you are a student applying for the summer or winter semester, the German student visa process is changing completely starting Feb 17, 2025.
Germany Visa Process Changes
Until now, we all know how the visa process works in Germany, which is very, very slow. You have to get on a waitlist on the VFS website, then book your appointment, show up to the appointment, submit all your documents, wait for the document verification, wait for the visa stamping, and finally, receive your visa.
This caused a lot of delays, especially last year when a lot of students were waiting for an appointment for up to six months, and as a result, many of them missed their winter intake and had to start again for the summer semester.
To rectify this entire process, the German foreign ministry launched a new consular services portal, https://digital.diplo.de/, which will speed up the process and reduce bureaucracy.
Their goal is to shift all visa categories from Blue Card, Opportunity Card, Student Visa, and everything else onto the new consular services portal. And from February 17, 2025, the new process has already started. If you’re applying for a visa for the summer semester, you have to go to the new portal to begin your visa application.
I will guide you to the portal and explain everything step by step. Here’s a brief overview of how the process works.
How New Visa Portal Works Step By Step
Step 1: you make an online application on digital.diplo.de.
Step 2: you fill out all the required forms and upload all the required documents.
Step 3: The authorities will verify your documents. And finally, once you are verified, you can book an appointment at the VFS center for document verification and for biometric data collection.
Although the process is not fully online, it greatly reduces the time spent obtaining an appointment and submitting documents.
Website Tour with Screenshots
Now, let’s go to the website, where I’ll explain all the details, from the application form to the required documents.
Once you come to the consular services portal, digital.diplo.de, this is how the website will look. If you have to apply for a visa, just click on visa, scroll down, and you will find study purposes and seeking a university place.
There are many other options, such as an opportunity card, a blue card, or even a family reunification visa for your spouses, for the children who are joining the parents or for parents who are joining the children.
Let’s take the example of a student Visa. In the student visa section, just scroll down, and you will find an option where you have to select your country. So, for example, I select India, and it will load up the different VFS centres. Let’s say if you are from Karnataka or Kerala, you have to apply to Bangalore. Similarly, if you are from Tamil Nadu, you have to choose accordingly. So, I am just going to select Mumbai and apply online now.
After this, you have to create an account using an email address and a password. Once you verify all the details, you will be greeted with this dialogue.
I have filled out dummy details, but you have to complete three main things here. First, you need to complete the entry form. Then, you need to complete the VIDEX application form, which was previously on the VFS website. Finally, you need to upload your documents.
This form is very easy to fill because you just have to click on options and not fill out any details. The first question is if you have an admit letter from a German university, so click yes if you already have the letter.
The second option is for those students who are going to college or for language courses.
Then, it will ask you if you have studied in Germany or have any foreign qualifications. If you’re from India, just click on no because you have to submit your educational documents from India. If you are from America, Australia, or another country, please make your selection accordingly.
The next question is, are you allowed to start studying right away? For most students, you just have to click yes, but if you’re going to a student college and then into a bachelor’s program, you have to click no because it says my admission is linked to a preparatory course that I have to complete before starting my studies.
We have explained many steps in detail; however, there are additional steps involved, such as uploading your documents. These steps are straightforward and easy to understand. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment on the blog. We are here to help you!
Key takeaways
This is one of the biggest news of 2025 and it might reduce the visa delays we all face. I take the example of India because It is not only a very huge country, but the number of students going to Germany every year is also increasing.
That’s why a portal like this, where you can apply for the visa online and just show up for the document verification, reduces a lot of the time you waste and actually speeds up the process.
If you’re applying for the summer or winter semester, be sure to visit the new visa application portal. Share this blog with friends who are also applying.
