German authorities have taken the decision to up the amount needed in its blocked account system for student visa applications by €700 for the year, reports suggest.
International students who wish to study in Germany need a blocked account, wherein money deposited cannot be withdrawn until you have arrived in Germany.
The accounts can be opened in banks in Germany, or can even be opened online before students arrive at their destination, and generally only takes around a week with the right paperwork.
A certain amount has always been needed in the blocked account as part of planning studies and applying for a visa, if they are a non-EU student.
According to the country’s government website for international students, Study in Germany, from January 2023, €11,208 euros was needed in the blocked account when applying for a visa to study in the country.
The website has been updated to say that from the winter semester in the 2024/2025 academic year, that amount has gone up to €11,904, equal to around a €700 hike.
However, this was not confirmed upon request for clarification from DAAD, the German academic exchange service.
Representatives at the organisation said that while the planned increase was not on their radar, they would “not be surprised if there were” hikes in the proof of funds amount given the “general increase in cost of living”.
Ultimately, they said, the decision is down to the German authorities.
Germany as a destination has been in the looking glass since reports the Big Four study destinations – the UK, US, Australia and Canada – have seen various issues with rhetoric and restrictions result in a downturn in applications.
DAAD said it would “not be surprised if there were” hikes in the proof of funds amount given the “general increase in cost of living”
Indian students are particularly interested in Germany, for example, as the country looks to make its labour market more attractive for international students from India.
But it isn’t without issue; the Academische Prüfstelle certificate, needed by Indians to be able to study as part of their visa application, have previously caused visa delays and even led to deferred intakes, The PIE News reported in recent months.
