Can I convert my Schengen tourist visa to a student visa while staying in Germany, or do I need to return to India?

Question

Mohit C · Accepted Answer

Even though it feels easier to apply from within Germany, that option isn&rsquo;t available if you&rsquo;re on a tourist visa.

The German Foreign Office clearly states that student visa applications must be made from outside Germany, usually through the German consulate in India.
A tourist visa is for short stays only and doesn&rsquo;t allow a change to a long-term residence status like a student visa.
Local immigration offices (Ausl&auml;nderbeh&ouml;rde) won&rsquo;t process student visa applications for anyone staying on a tourist visa, even if an appointment is booked.
Overstaying while waiting to &ldquo;switch&rdquo; can lead to a visa violation, which affects future travel to the Schengen area.

It&rsquo;s safer and officially required to return home, apply through the proper channel, and then travel back once the visa is approved.
For more details you can read this blog on "Germany Student Visa Guide"

S Raghav · Answer

No, it&rsquo;s not possible to convert a Schengen tourist visa into a German student visa while staying in Germany. According to the Federal Foreign Office, student visa applications must be submitted from your home country &mdash; for Indian applicants, this means going through the German Embassy or VFS in India.
Tourist visas (short-stay or &ldquo;Type C&rdquo; visas) are issued for visits up to 90 days and can&rsquo;t be converted into long-stay student visas (&ldquo;Type D&rdquo; visas). German law doesn&rsquo;t allow switching between these categories from within the country. Trying to do so may lead to visa overstay records, which can affect future visa approvals or travel plans in the EU.
The only exception applies to those already holding a long-term EU residence permit &mdash; not tourist visa holders. It&rsquo;s best to return to India and apply the official way to avoid any issues.