German student visa process goes digital for Bangladeshi applicants

The German Embassy in Dhaka has introduced a new digital application system for national student visas, aiming to simplify and streamline the visa process for Bangladeshi students seeking to pursue bachelor's and master's degrees in Germany.

Under the new system, applicants will have to submit their applications and upload the required documents online through the Federal Foreign Office's Consular Services Portal, known as Auslandsportal, before attending an in-person appointment.

The new process will also include preliminary document checks through the external service provider VFS, while in-person visits will mainly focus on biometric data collection and final verification.

Applicants will also be able to track the progress of their applications through the portal's dashboard. The system additionally allows joint applications with family members, where applicable.

Meanwhile, the embassy has announced that the existing appointment waiting list under the previous system has been discontinued as part of the transition to the new digital platform.

All prospective student visa applicants, including those already registered on the previous waiting list, must create a new account on the digital portal and submit a fresh application. Previous registrations will not be transferred to the new system and will no longer remain valid.

Applicants can access the new portal at https://digital.diplo.de/ and find detailed guidance, document checklists and application instructions there.

-MT