Do I need to deposit money in a block account before going abroad, or can it be done after arrival in Australia/Germany?
It depends on the country. Germany requires you to deposit funds into a blocked account before your visa is approved, currently 992 euros per month or 11,904 euros for a year. Australia has no blocked account system, you simply document sufficient savings at the time you lodge your visa.
Whether you need to deposit money before you travel depends entirely on your destination, since Germany and Australia handle proof of funds very differently. For Germany the answer is a strict yes, you must fund the account before your visa is even approved, while Australia only asks you to document your existing savings.
Germany vs Australia at a Glance
| Country | Deposit Before Arrival? | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Yes, required for the visa | Blocked account (Sperrkonto) funded with 11,904 euros for a year, or 992 euros per month |
| Australia | No blocked account needed | Document proof of funds, such as savings, loans, or a sponsor's income, in your normal bank account |
The Germany Blocked Account Process
- Open your blocked account online while still in India, through a provider such as Expatrio, Fintiba, or Coracle.
- Transfer the full required amount into the account before your visa application.
- Submit the provider's confirmation document, the Sperrbestatigung, with your visa application.
- Once you arrive and register your address in Germany, the account activates and pays out monthly.
My Advice
If you are headed to Germany, open your blocked account at least six to eight weeks before your visa appointment, since the transfer and confirmation document can take longer to process than most students expect.
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