Indian students studying at IU face the risk of deportation

25 year-old Deep Shambarkar moved to Germany to pursue a master’s degree in business management. He spent approximately €20,000 on his education and took out a loan in India. However, instead of an extension of his residence permit, he received a notification from the Berlin Immigration Office ordering him to leave the country by 3 November.

According to Euronews, since March, hundreds of students have been ordered to leave the country. Most of the students have either changed universities or been forced to return home. Those without sufficient financial means have been left in a desperate situation.

A total of more than 130,000 students study at IU, 4,500 of whom are Indian nationals. Many were admitted to the university through the Indian agency UpGrad. The first stage of the education was conducted online, while the remaining part was intended to take place in Germany.

According to reports, IU has temporarily suspended the admission of international students at its Berlin campus. The reason is legal and administrative uncertainty with the Berlin Immigration Office.

Although the court recognized that the university has the necessary accreditation, it imposed new requirements such as stricter attendance rules and examinations held exclusively on campus. This decision has led to legal disputes.

Officials state that from 2026, visa requirements for on-campus study programs will be tightened. The university plans to open a new campus in Cologne, which is scheduled to become operational in October 2026.