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Germany is still one of the most promising study destinations for Indian students—but right now, many families are worried because a growing number of students have reportedly received “leave Germany” notices linked to how their course format is being evaluated for visa compliance. What makes this situation especially stressful is that the concern is not about any wrongdoing by students, but about whether certain hybrid/online learning structures meet student visa expectations.
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What’s happening in Germany?
In recent weeks, overseas education counsellors and student communities have been tracking a serious development: Indian students enrolled at Berlin’s International University (IU) have reportedly received notices asking them to leave Germany. These notices are being linked to a compliance question—whether the program they are studying is considered sufficiently “in-person” to qualify for a student residence permit.
From what has been reported, many students believed they were enrolling in an on-campus German degree, travelled legally, paid significant tuition fees, and in several cases funded their studies through education loans.
Now, some students are being told they may have to continue the same program remotely from India, which defeats the purpose of moving abroad for education.
Why this is being linked to “hybrid” programs
The core issue being discussed is the interpretation of eligibility for student residence permits when a course is hybrid or heavily online.
The situation suggests that authorities are applying a stricter understanding: student visas are intended for programs that require regular classroom attendance, not primarily online learning.
This creates a gap between how modern universities design programs (often blended) and how immigration rules are enforced (often strictly). As one expert put it in the coverage, immigration works in “black and white,” while education has moved into “shades of gray.”
Scale: why Indian families are paying attention
This story is drawing intense attention because of how many Indian students are affected in Germany overall. The coverage states IU has more than 130,000 students and around 4,000 students from India. It also cites a German diplomat saying close to 60,000 Indian students were studying in Germany in 2025, making Indians the largest international student group there.
When numbers are this large, even a “policy interpretation shift” can impact hundreds of families at once—academically, financially, and emotionally.
What changed—and why students feel blindsided
According to the reporting, the university has indicated that local immigration authorities changed their interpretation of visa eligibility for hybrid degree programs in early 2025. The coverage also mentions that although new study regulations are expected to formally take effect in 2026, stricter application is already being seen now.
This is where students feel stuck: they may have enrolled under one understanding of what was acceptable, only to face a different interpretation after arriving and investing money and time.
Practical guidance we recommend
This situation is a reminder that “course eligibility” is not only an academic decision—it’s also an immigration compliance decision. Based on the guidance shared in the coverage, these steps matter before you commit to any program:
• Ask direct questions about whether the course requires regular in-person attendance and whether that format is aligned with student visa expectations.
• Get every claim in writing—avoid relying only on verbal assurances.
• Cross-check what you’re being told with students currently studying in the same program (not only alumni).
• Treat hybrid/online components as a potential visa risk area and clarify how much of the program is expected on campus.