German Student Visa Guide For Iranian Students: Requirements And Process (2026)

Document Legalisation Requirements for Iranian Students

Iranian students applying for a German student visa must have their official documents legalised by the German Embassy in Tehran. Legalisation confirms that a document’s signature, seal and issuing authority are genuine so that German authorities will accept the document in Germany.

Which Iranian Public Documents Require Legalisation

Iranian public documents that need legalisation and required for a successful student visa application include:

• Educational certificates and diplomas – such as high school diplomas and university degree certificates
• Academic transcripts – used as official proof of qualifications for university admission

If requested by the embassy, the following public documents also require legalisation:

• Birth certificates issued by the Iranian Civil Registration Office
• Marriage certificates (if applicable to your situation)
• Police certificates / Good conduct certificates

Only original public documents with official stamps and signatures are accepted for legalisation. Private letters or unsigned documents cannot be legalised.

How To Legalise Iranian Documents for Germany

The legalisation process in Iran is a multi-step procedure carried out jointly by Iranian authorities and the German Embassy. The key steps in the correct order are:

1. Translation into German by a translator officially recognised by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2. Pre-authentication (Vorbeglaubigung) at the Iranian Ministry of Justice and then the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These pre-certifications must not be older than one year when submitted.
3. Book a legalisation appointment via the TLS Contact system (choose “Legalisation”) and join the waiting list.
4. Submit originals and pre-authenticated translations at the TLS Contact Centre in Tehran. Embassy staff will then complete the consular legalisation.
5. Pay service fees in cash (in Euros) on the day of your appointment. This includes TLS Contact service fees (€10 per document) and Embassy legalisation fees (€30 per document).

Once legalised, your documents can be used for visa purposes, university enrolment, or official procedures in Germany. Remember that legalisation must be completed before your student visa appointment.

Academic Documents Required in Iran

Your academic credentials are very important for your German student visa application. German universities and immigration authorities examine these documents carefully to ensure authenticity and proper legalisation.

High School and University Certificate Requirements

If you're applying for a bachelor’s programme in Germany as an Iranian, you must provide your:

• Official high school diploma
• Complete transcript showing high school grades

If you're an Iranian student applying for a master’s or doctoral programme in Germany, you must provide the following documents:

• Original bachelor's or master’s degree certificate
• Complete transcripts with grades from all semesters and overall GPA
• Proof of grading system, if requested

Transcript Verification Rules for Iranian Applicants

The German embassy in Tehran reviews academic transcripts very carefully to verify your academic credibility. Your transcripts must be officially issued by the Iranian school or university you attended and should clearly show institutional stamps, signatures, and standard formatting.

The embassy also requires that all original and copies of academic certificates and grade transcripts are translated to German and notarised by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Additionally, Iranian grading scales often differ from German ones, so we recommend providing an official grading key or explanation from the issuing institution.

Visa Application Process in Iran

Before applying for your German student visa from Iran, it is crucial to understand the visa application process. This helps you plan correctly and well ahead of time.

Where To Apply: German Embassy Tehran

All German student visa applications in Iran are overseen by the German Embassy in Tehran, but the appointment and document intake process has changed. From 1 July 2025, the embassy has officially partnered with the external service provider TLS Contact.

For master’s and PhD applicants who already hold a confirmed admission letter, registration now takes place through the TLS Contact system. Eligible applicants can join the TLS waiting list, after which appointment slots for student visa applications are released based on availability.

Bachelor’s applicants, Studienkolleg candidates, and those with only conditional admission are currently not being scheduled under this system.

⚠️ Update 2026: Due to the current situation in Iran, TLS Contact has suspended all visa application services and put all appointments on hold until further notice. Please refer to their website to stay updated. ⚠️

Document Submission and Biometric Appointment

When you receive a visa appointment at the TLS, you will be required to submit all your student visa application documents and provide biometric data. You'll need to bring both original documents and complete sets of photocopies, organised in the order specified by the embassy on their website.

During your appointment, an official will review your documents to ensure completeness and collect biometric data by taking your fingerprints. You will also need to pay the visa fee of €75 during the appointment. The official at TLS will provide you with a receipt, which you must keep safe as proof of payment.

Processing Timelines for Iranian Applicants

Visa processing times for Iranian students are often longer than the global average. You should expect an initial processing time of at least 8-12 weeks, or even longer during university intake seasons.

To manage these timelines effectively, submit your visa application at least 4 months before your intended travel date. If your university programme starts in October, aim to submit your application in June. For programmes starting in April, submit by December at the latest.

Financial Proof Requirements for Iranian Students

A key requirement for a successful German student visa application is proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies.

Blocked Account Rules for Iran

A Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) is the most accepted method for proving financial resources for Iranian students. As of 2026, you need to deposit €11,904 into the Blocked Account to meet the minimum financial requirement for one year of study.

Iranian applicants generally have two acceptable options:

• A Blocked Account opened with a recognised German financial institution, showing a total balance of €11,904 for one year of study
• OR a signed Blocked Account declaration together with a bank-confirmed account statement proving available funds of €11,904

If you use the second option, the visa will  include a condition stating that the student must carry the funds in cash when entering Germany, open a Blocked Account after arrival, and deposit the full amount immediately.

Acceptable Iranian Financial Proof Alternatives

In addition to a standard Blocked Account, Iranian students may be able to prove financial means using approved alternative forms of funding, provided they meet German visa regulations.

Acceptable financial proof alternatives for Iranian applicants include:

• Formal declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) issued by a sponsor legally residing in Germany. The declaration must not be older than 6 months and must cover the full intended period of stay.
• Scholarship confirmation from recognised German institutions and organisations or issued by the Iranian Ministry of Science, Research and Technology or Iranian educational institutions.

All financial documents must be clearly documented, officially translated, and consistent with other visa application documents.