Avoiding scams
Only the German missions issue visas. Nobody else can guarantee one, and appointments are only booked through VFS or the Consular Services Portal, with no extra fee for "priority".
Typical patterns
- Fake job offers that ask for money for a visa, a "work permit" or "documents" (warning by the German Consulate General Mumbai).
- Unregistered agents who charge ₹2 to ₹5 lakh. The Indian Embassy in Berlin warns about this. Registered recruiting agents are listed on emigrate.gov.in; the legal maximum fee is ₹30,000 plus 18% GST.
- A real job offer is a contract signed by employer, agent and worker, followed by a work visa issued by the German mission.
- "Job guarantee" with Opportunity Card, fake university letters, fake APS certificates, admission "sold" by an agent.
Where to check and report
- Helpline of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (Delhi): +91-11-2688-5021, [email protected].
- APS and DAAD publish warnings about fake admissions and certificates. Order the APS certificate only through the official APS site.
- Do not pay anyone for a "guaranteed" appointment. Do not send passport scans to unknown people.
The Federal Employment Agency "Make it in Germany" portal has its own warnings; we could not open the page for this update.
A question this page does not answer? Contact us. Free orientation only, no legal advice for individual cases.