Thousands of Iranian students who have been admitted to German universities currently have no way to apply for their student visa. The German Association for International Students (DEGIS) calls for immediate action.
Due to the current diplomatic and security situation and the ongoing closure and restricted operations of the German Embassy in Tehran, many admitted Iranian students, including those applying for Bachelor’s programmes and preparatory pathways (Studienkolleg, studienvorbereitende Programme), cannot currently submit their student visa applications. For these students, the situation is not simply a delay; it means expired university admissions, lost Sperrkonto deposits, housing contracts that cannot be taken up, and, in many cases, a full year’s delay before they can reapply.
In 2026, an estimated 5,722 Iranian students are expected to begin their studies in Germany. Without an accessible pathway, many of these students will lose their university place entirely.
Experience has shown that practical solutions exist: during earlier disruptions, the Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) enabled visa applications through German embassies in third countries. A similar mechanism is needed now—urgently.
DEGIS calls on the Federal Foreign Office to implement the following measures without delay:
- A formal temporary mechanism allowing affected students to apply for student visas outside Iran, with processing timelines aligned to university intake deadlines
- Designation of German embassies in accessible third countries as substitute processing posts for Iranian student visa applications, with adequate staffing and capacity
- Timely, multilingual communication to affected students and German universities, including clear timelines, alternative application procedures, and guidance to universities on extending admission validity for students affected by processing delays
Germany’s Fachkräftestrategie and coalition agreement both recognise international students as essential to the country’s economic future. Iranian graduates are among the most likely to remain in Germany and enter the skilled workforce. Blocking their path to study undermines a policy priority that Germany itself has set.
We call on German universities to extend the validity of admissions for affected Iranian students and to communicate proactively with applicants. We encourage student organisations, Studierendenwerke, and members of the Bundestag to support this effort by raising the issue with the Federal Foreign Office directly.
Sincerely,
DEGIS
Deutsche Gesellschaft internationaler Studierender
