Consulate General of Germany in Chennai is expected to issue nearly 20,000 visas this year, as against 18,000 in 2014, including 1,300 student visas, a top diplomat said today.

The Consulate is expecting an increase of 15 per cent, particularly trade and business visas, Martin Rojek, Consular Attache, Visa Section, told reporters here tonight.

Tamil Nadu, with 70 to 75 per cent, topped in issuance of visa, even as the Consulate, covered the States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Puducherry, he said.

Mr. Rojek was in Coimbatore to explain about the visa process to a gathering. He said that the Consulate would launch its Roll Out region 20 in India on November 2, by which finger prints will be mandatory for visa processing.

The finger print will be valid for five years and there was no need for taking it for each trip, he said. Replying to a question on opening a finger print centre in the city, the Attache said that though there was no immediate plan, efforts would be taken to set up a centre.

On ensuring security to students going to Germany, Mr. Rojek said that 15 per cent of foreign students in Germany helped creating a good environment and were adjusting themselves.