Indian students told to leave Berlin despite enrolment, exposing fault lines in Germany’s student visa regime

New Delhi: Hundreds of Indian students enrolled at private universities in Berlin have been asked to leave Germany after local immigration authorities declined to renew their residence permits, triggering academic disruption, financial distress and renewed scrutiny of the country’s international education framework.

The students, many of them enrolled at IU International University of Applied Sciences, said their residence permits were either revoked or not extended on the grounds that their programmes no longer meet the criteria for a valid student visa under German law. Several were forced to exit mid-semester, despite having secured admissions, paid tuition fees and relocated to Germany in compliance with existing rules.

For years, Germany cultivated an image as an affordable and welcoming destination for international students, combining low-cost public education with a growing private university sector offering English-taught degrees. That positioning is now under strain as Berlin’s immigration authorities apply a narrower interpretation of what constitutes full-time, in-person study.

According to affected students, the Berlin Foreigners’ Registration Office reassessed programmes that include substantial online components and concluded that they fall short of the “on-campus” requirement needed for a residence permit. This reinterpretation has left students in limbo, with some receiving only weeks to leave the country, while others were advised to reapply from India or seek emergency transfers to institutions outside Berlin.

Why these programmes were chosen

Many of the impacted students were enrolled in bachelor’s and master’s programmes in business administration, management and related disciplines. These courses were marketed as blended formats, combining classroom instruction with online learning, a structure students say was presented as compliant with German regulations at the time of admission.

For many, the appeal was clear: Germany offered a comparatively affordable pathway to an international degree, often involving initial study in India followed by relocation to Germany. Students argue they acted in good faith, relying on university guidance and past precedent.

What changed in 2025

The shift traces back to a reassessment by Berlin authorities following changes to the interpretation of Germany’s Residence Act, which governs student visas. Officials reportedly concluded that distance or hybrid learning does not meet the threshold of full-time study requiring physical presence in Germany, making such students ineligible for residence permits.

While the law itself has not been amended, the stricter reading marks a significant policy turn. In 2023, Berlin authorities had already signalled a tougher stance, and in 2025 the interpretation was enforced more decisively, catching many enrolled students off guard.

Courts reinforce administrative stance

Legal challenges mounted by students have so far offered limited relief. Administrative courts in Berlin have largely upheld the immigration office’s position, ruling that programmes with significant online components do not justify residence permits intended for in-person study. In one notable judgment, the court observed that students could complete large parts of their coursework remotely, weakening the case for continued residence in Germany.

The financial and personal toll

Beyond legal technicalities, the consequences have been severe. Students report losses running into thousands of euros, covering tuition, housing deposits and relocation costs. Academic continuity has been disrupted, with credits at risk and uncertainty over transfers. For many, the episode has also eroded trust in institutional assurances and regulatory stability.

Warnings that went unheard

Some international student forums and advisory platforms had flagged potential risks as early as mid-2025, questioning whether blended programmes would withstand closer regulatory scrutiny. These concerns, however, were often overshadowed by university marketing materials and assurances that visa compliance was in place.

University response

IU International University of Applied Sciences has stated that it continues to engage with German authorities and maintains that its programmes comply with applicable laws. The university has also said it is assisting affected students with guidance and alternative arrangements, though many argue such measures come too late.

Why this matters beyond Berlin

The episode underscores a broader tension in global higher education: as countries court international students to offset demographic decline and bolster skilled migration pipelines, regulatory ambiguity can quickly undermine confidence. For Germany, which relies heavily on its reputation for predictability and rule-based governance, the Berlin case risks denting its standing as a student-friendly destination.

For Indian students, the message is more sobering. Even established study destinations can shift goalposts mid-course, leaving individuals to absorb the fallout. As international education becomes more commercialised and complex, the Berlin episode may well serve as a cautionary tale for students, universities and policymakers alike.