Student Visa Application: Top Tips for a Successful visa Appointment | VFS visa center

If you are anything like me, you’ve probably been wondering what you should prepare for your visa interview. What documents should you bring? How many copies should you bring? What is the process at the visa center and so on? It’s always better to get some tips beforehand so that you are fully prepared for your appointment. As someone who has already received a German visa, I will share some very useful tips that you should know before going to your appointment.

1. Copy of your document

One mistake you should never make is not taking a copy of your documents from home. Even though there are printing shops near VFS centers, they can be very expensive, especially near Delhi VFS. They may charge 3-4 times the regular printing charges, which can cost you a lot if you have many documents to photocopy or print. You will need two sets of each document in addition to the original (1 original + 2 photocopies). It’s best to get them printed beforehand and create separate sets so that you won’t have to arrange them later.

Note: Black and white copies are fine. You don’t need colored copies. So, don’t waste your money. You can get your Enrollment letter printed in color instead of the original document because usually, the university only emails us the Enrollment letter, and we don’t receive it by post.

2. Cover Letter

One thing that is not mentioned in the “Documents List” provided by the German Embassy is a cover letter, but they do expect you to submit one. Therefore, do not forget to write a cover letter. If you are unsure how to write a cover letter, please refer to this post (coming soon).

3. VFS fees

Due to the popularity of UPI in India, it is common not to carry cash or cards. Inside VFS, I have observed many people asking for cash in exchange for UPI transfers. It’s important to note that VFS Delhi only accepts cash, debit/credit cards, and demand drafts as payment methods for their fees.

The visa fees for adult students (above 18) are 80 euros, which is approximately 7,232 INR at the time of writing. Additionally, there is a VFS service fee of 900 INR. If you live far from the VFS visa center and require courier service from VFS, an additional fee of 525 INR must be paid. To receive SMS updates, an extra 112 INR is required. However, based on my experience, I do not recommend taking the SMS service from VFS since I did not receive any update emails despite having taken the service. Usually, the same information is provided on email as in SMS. Moreover, you might not even receive any SMS updates after getting your visa in hand, even if you paid for the service.

5. Document with University Date

Typically, the start date of the semester is indicated on the university’s enrollment letter. However, if it is not included, be sure to request one from your university. In my own experience, the university sent me a separate document with the semester start date. This information will be necessary when you visit the visa center.

6. The “Premium” Lounge

The VFS center offers a service known as the “Premium Lounge,” which is not particularly exceptional. For a fee of INR 2363, this option provides a few additional services, such as collecting your documents from your seat and completing the work for you. Additionally, there is a snack section where you can eat while waiting for your turn.

However, in my experience, it is not worth the added cost. During my visa application process, I observed a similar crowd in both the Premium Lounge and the regular section. Furthermore, there is not much to do except submit your documents at the counter, which can be done without the extra expense. Also, if you want to eat something while waiting for your turn, it is more cost-effective to bring your own snacks from home.

7. The Questionnaire

You will be required to fill out a questionnaire, which is to be submitted along with your other documents, and will then be sent to the Embassy. Some individuals become tense after receiving the questionnaire and start to panic. However, there is no need to worry. Firstly, the questions are not overly complex, and are instead focused on your chosen course of study and personal information.

While the questions may not be difficult, you can still complete the questionnaire from the comfort of your own home. I have attached a photo(coming tomorrow) of the questionnaire that you will receive. You can fill it out, print a copy, or save it as a PDF. When you attend your appointment, you can refer to your saved PDF or printed copy to assist you in filling out the form.

8. Submit Your Application Page

It is an obvious step, but I forgot to submit my VFS appointment receipt upon entering the visa center. I only realized my mistake when a friend reminded me. After submitting the receipt, I joined the queue for document submission. If you fail to submit the receipt, the visa center staff won’t know you’re present and waiting to be called. Therefore, the first thing you should do upon arriving at the visa center is to submit your appointment receipt.

6. Bring Snacks

During my visa application process, I had to wait for about 5-6 hours, which left me feeling hungry and frustrated. Therefore, I would recommend bringing some light snacks with you so that you can munch on something while waiting for your turn. This will help you feel more comfortable and make the wait less tedious.

9. Delhi Metro (if going to Delhi VFS)

If you are planning a visit to the Delhi VFS visa center, you may be interested to know that you can enter the building directly through the metro station. This means that you can take the Airport Line Metro and disembark directly at the visa center, avoiding the need to wait in the direct sunlight outside.

11. Chill

The final tip is to remain calm and avoid getting nervous. If you have followed all the above tips, there is no need to worry. Just relax and wait for your turn. You can bring a book to read and pass the time, but remember to be attentive when they call your name. Keep calm, and everything will be fine.

Lastly, remember to put your passport in the outer pocket and bring water with you.