German visa from Bangladesh: which one fits you? (2026)

Most people from Bangladesh go to Germany with one of three visas: to study, for an Ausbildung (vocational training) or for a voluntary service (FSJ/BFD). Here is how they differ, how long you wait in Dhaka and how the process works.

Updated October 2026

3 routes: Study, Ausbildung, FSJ/BFD
€75: National visa fee (minors €37.50)
27+ months: Student visa wait without scholarship
~4 weeks: Minimum processing after you apply

Which visa fits you?

You want a bachelor's or master's degree → Student visa
You want to learn a profession and earn money from day one → Ausbildung visa
You want to work one year in a social, ecological or cultural place → FSJ / BFD visa
Not sure? Compare Ausbildung vs study or check your eligibility

The three visas compared

Visa	What you need first	German	Money proof
Student	University admission	Depends on the programme (English programmes: TOEFL/IELTS)	Blocked account €11,904 (€992 a month) or scholarship
Ausbildung	Signed training contract	B1 minimum, B2 highly expected	Training salary; extra proof if it is low
FSJ / BFD	Signed voluntary service agreement	Basic German, in practice A2–B1	€812 a month, €452 with free room, €302 with room and meals

Live waiting times in Dhaka

Real cases from applicants, collected in our Visa Waiting Time Tracker. The student visa has the longest wait: the embassy says more than 27 months for bachelor and master students without a German or European scholarship.

How it works at the German Embassy Dhaka

Get your document from Germany first: university admission, training contract or voluntary service agreement
Register online for an appointment (digital.diplo.de). Students register in the Consular Services Portal and need a valid admission letter
Prepare all documents and translations before the appointment — tick them off in our checklists for student, Ausbildung and FSJ / BFD
Submit the complete application and pay the visa fee — it is not refunded if the visa is refused
Wait for the decision: processing takes at least about 4 weeks, often longer
Book your flight only after you have the visa

Documents almost every route needs

Each visa has its own checklist — see the detailed guides. These come up for all three:

Passport issued within the last 10 years, with two empty pages
One biometric photo, not older than 6 months
Signed application form and declaration
Your document from Germany: admission, contract or agreement
School and university certificates with mark sheets
Proof of language: English or German, depending on the route
Motivation letter and CV
Health insurance or travel health insurance until the start
Proof of money

Costs to plan

Visa fee: €75 for a national visa (€37.50 for minors), paid in taka
Translations of Bangla documents into English or German
Student visa: blocked account of €11,904 plus the provider's fees — calculate it in taka
Ausbildung: your training salary is the money proof — see the salary calculator
FSJ / BFD: a place with a free room makes the money rule much easier
Flight and the first month in Germany

Mistakes that cost time or the visa

Paying anyone who promises a faster appointment — only the embassy gives appointments
Fake job or training offers that ask you for money
Missing or unreadable copies and translations
A copied motivation letter that does not match your plan
Booking a flight before the visa is issued
Starting German too late — Ausbildung needs B1 minimum, B2 highly expected

Frequently asked questions

Which German visa is easiest from Bangladesh?

There is no easy visa, but the waiting time is very different. The student visa wait is more than 27 months without a scholarship. Ausbildung and FSJ/BFD are usually faster once you have a contract or agreement — but you need German first.

How much does a German visa cost from Bangladesh?

The fee for a national visa is €75 (€37.50 for minors), paid in taka. It is not refunded if the visa is refused. Translations, money proof and the flight come on top.

How long does the German visa take in Dhaka?

Processing takes at least about 4 weeks after you apply. Before that you wait for the appointment — for students more than 27 months without a scholarship. Check real cases in our [Visa Waiting Time Tracker](/visa-waiting-time-tracker).

Do I need IELTS for a German visa?

Only for English-taught study programmes (TOEFL or IELTS). Ausbildung and FSJ/BFD need German, not English.

Can I apply without a contract or admission?

No. The student, Ausbildung and FSJ/BFD visas all start with a document from Germany: admission, training contract or voluntary service agreement.

What about other German visas?

We focus on study, Ausbildung and FSJ/BFD. For all other visa types, check the website of the German Embassy Dhaka.