International students at a Berlin university face possible deportation
Around 300 international students at a private university in Berlin have been issued deportation notices after local immigration authorities stated that they do not recognise the students’ degree programmes.
According to Euronews, since March 2025, approximately 300 students enrolled at International University (IU) Berlin have received notices from the Berlin Immigration Office (LEA). Authorities reportedly argue that IU’s courses do not qualify as face-to-face instruction, a requirement for maintaining a student visa.
One of the affected students, Deep Shambarkar, an Indian national studying business management at IU since July 2024, told Euronews that he recently received a deportation order. He said immigration officials questioned whether the university employs sufficient academic staff and whether it holds the proper accreditation to deliver its programmes. IU, however, describes itself on its website as a “state-recognised and accredited university.”
IU stated that at the start of 2025, the LEA altered its policy on student visas for hybrid degree programmes without notifying the university. IU added that it plans to introduce new regulations by 2026 to ensure its in-person courses fully meet visa requirements.
In the meantime, students like Shambarkar remain in uncertainty. Instead of completing his remaining coursework and thesis, the 25-year-old is now engaged in legal proceedings against immigration authorities and says he feels unsupported by the university. Having taken a €20,000 loan in India to finance his studies, he fears he will not receive a refund if he is forced to leave Germany before finishing his degree.
Reflecting on his experience, Shambarkar said he never truly felt like he was studying at a university, describing limited classroom facilities and course offerings. While he believes he chose the right programme, he feels he chose the wrong institution. He added that the ongoing situation has taken a severe mental and physical toll, making him feel as though he is being treated “like a criminal” due to administrative failures.
Another student, who remained anonymous, told Euronews that they had been given just one month to leave Germany. The student said the situation had caused serious psychological distress, including insomnia, nightmares, and loss of appetite.
Founded in 1998, IU operates campuses in 37 German cities and has around 130,000 students, making it one of Germany’s largest universities. Approximately 4,500 IU students are Indian nationals. The university has announced that it will suspend all new admissions to its Berlin campus until further notice and plans to open a new campus in Cologne in 2026.