Roughly 300 Indian nationals enrolled in hybrid master’s programmes at IU International University of Applied Sciences in Berlin learned on 24 December that their German student visas had been revoked. The capital’s immigration authority (LEA) deemed the blended-learning format incompatible with Germany’s requirement for “full-time, in-person” study—a standard tightened earlier this year to curb perceived abuse of low-attendance courses.
Affected students say they each invested €20,000–€30,000 in fees and housing, only to receive departure orders giving them 30 days to leave or face deportation. While some were offered the option of continuing their studies online from abroad, many fear sunk costs and disrupted career plans. IU has pledged legal support and is exploring a switch to fully on-site schedules to satisfy regulators.
![Berlin Immigration Office Cancels Visas of Hybrid-Course Students]()
Prospective and current students looking for clarity on Germany’s evolving visa rules can turn to VisaHQ for guidance. The service walks applicants through every step, checks documents against the latest “full-time, in-person” attendance test, and files paperwork directly with the German consulate—helping to avoid costly surprises like those seen in Berlin. Details can be found at https://www.visahq.com/germany/.
The case highlights the tension between Germany’s drive to attract international talent and its stricter enforcement of residence rules. Education agents warn the uncertainty could push prospective students toward the Netherlands or Ireland, which accept greater online components. Employers who rely on part-time student workers—particularly in the Berlin start-up scene—also face staffing gaps over the busy holiday retail season.
Immigration lawyers are advising students to file urgent appeals and request ‘Duldung’ (temporary leave to remain) to avoid immediate status loss. HR teams sponsoring interns should double-check that enrolment certificates explicitly state face-to-face attendance to avoid similar surprises in 2026.
Affected students say they each invested €20,000–€30,000 in fees and housing, only to receive departure orders giving them 30 days to leave or face deportation. While some were offered the option of continuing their studies online from abroad, many fear sunk costs and disrupted career plans. IU has pledged legal support and is exploring a switch to fully on-site schedules to satisfy regulators.
Prospective and current students looking for clarity on Germany’s evolving visa rules can turn to VisaHQ for guidance. The service walks applicants through every step, checks documents against the latest “full-time, in-person” attendance test, and files paperwork directly with the German consulate—helping to avoid costly surprises like those seen in Berlin. Details can be found at https://www.visahq.com/germany/.
The case highlights the tension between Germany’s drive to attract international talent and its stricter enforcement of residence rules. Education agents warn the uncertainty could push prospective students toward the Netherlands or Ireland, which accept greater online components. Employers who rely on part-time student workers—particularly in the Berlin start-up scene—also face staffing gaps over the busy holiday retail season.
Immigration lawyers are advising students to file urgent appeals and request ‘Duldung’ (temporary leave to remain) to avoid immediate status loss. HR teams sponsoring interns should double-check that enrolment certificates explicitly state face-to-face attendance to avoid similar surprises in 2026.
