Bangladesh to Germany Student Visa Guide (2026)

Germany’s tuition-free public universities are a major draw for Bangladeshi students, but the visa process at the German Embassy in Dhaka has its own specific requirements — including one that trips up applicants expecting an APS certificate, which Bangladesh doesn’t actually require.

No APS office for Bangladesh

Unlike China, Vietnam, or India, the German Embassy Dhaka does not operate an APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) office, and Bangladeshi applicants do not need to apply through another country’s APS office either. If a consultant or agency tells you an APS certificate is mandatory, double-check against the embassy’s own guidance — Bangladesh is one of the countries where this extra verification step simply isn’t part of the process.

The blocked account requirement

Most self-funded Bangladeshi students need to open a blocked account (Sperrkonto) to prove they can support themselves in Germany. Current figures cited by blocked-account providers for Bangladeshi applicants:

• €992 per month
• €11,904 per year

Providers reporting on this expect the monthly figure to hold into 2027 as well, though you should confirm the live amount with your blocked-account provider (commonly Fintiba or Expatrio) before transferring funds, since this figure is reviewed periodically by German authorities. Older sources citing lower amounts (some reference figures from 2019 near €10,236/year) are outdated — don’t rely on them.

If you hold a scholarship, it can substitute for the blocked account, but only if it meets or exceeds the €992/month threshold — if your scholarship pays less, you’ll still need a blocked account to cover the shortfall.

Dhaka embassy process

1. Secure your university admission first. You need a confirmed offer before the visa process can meaningfully proceed.
2. Open your blocked account before applying. The embassy’s guidance is explicit that the blocked-account step must be completed before you submit your visa application, not during.
3. Confirm you have permanent residence within the embassy’s jurisdiction. The German Embassy Dhaka only accepts applications from applicants residing within its jurisdiction area — this matters if you’re based outside Dhaka.
4. Register for an online appointment. Study visa applicants must book online before submitting documents in person.
5. Master’s applicants go through VFS. Since January 2025, Master’s-level student visa applications in Bangladesh are processed through VFS Global rather than directly at the embassy — check which route applies to your specific program level.
6. Submit certified translations. Bengali-language academic documents need certified translation into German or English before submission.

Fees and other costs

• Visa application fee: commonly cited around €75.
• Health insurance: roughly €141–146 per month for the standard student insurance most applicants need.
• Blocked account setup: provider fees vary — compare Fintiba and Expatrio before committing to one.

Waiting times

The Dhaka embassy has stated it currently cannot give exact waiting-time estimates, citing high demand for study visas. Build in significant buffer time — ideally several months — between securing your university offer and your intended semester start, especially if you also need to set up a blocked account and gather certified translations.

Common mistakes

• Applying for an APS certificate unnecessarily. Since Bangladesh doesn’t require one, don’t waste time or money chasing a document the Dhaka embassy doesn’t ask for.
• Opening the blocked account too late. The embassy expects it completed before application submission, not in parallel.
• Underestimating translation and document-prep time. Certified translations of Bengali academic records can take longer than expected, especially during peak application season.

For broader context on EU study-to-work transitions after graduation, see our guide to Germany’s Opportunity Card, which some graduates use as a bridge into skilled work after finishing their studies, and our apostille and document legalisation guide for general document-preparation steps.

Sources

• German Embassy Dhaka — Visa services
• Fintiba — Germany student visa requirements for Bangladesh
• German Embassy Dhaka — Study visa appointment and jurisdiction rules

This is preparation guidance, not legal advice. Blocked-account amounts, fees, and processing procedures change — confirm every figure with the German Embassy Dhaka or your blocked-account provider before applying. Join the VisaMet waitlist for updates on Germany’s student visa process.