top of page

Germany Student Visa – Checklist, Requirements, Application, Fees & Processing Time

Writer's picture: Amay ShahAmay Shah
 

Each year, more and more foreigners are choosing Germany as their study abroad destination. Before coming to Germany to study, the majority of international students would probably need to obtain a German student visa from a German consulate in their nation.


Depending on your home country, you may not need a visa to study in Germany. However, after you are in Germany, you will still need to apply for a residence permit if your course of study will last more than 90 days.


Is a Visa Required to Study in Germany?


  • You require a Schengen visa to study in the EU for up to three months.

  • You require a German national visa for studies that last longer than three months.

If you enter Germany on a national visa, you must apply for a German residence permit for studies at the Foreigner's Office in order to extend your stay. While your entry visa is still valid, you should do this.


Finding out if you need a visa to study in Germany as an international student is the first thing you need to do. If you do, you next need to determine what kind of visa you need to apply for based on the length and type of your intended studies.


German Student Visa Types


A German study visa may be granted to you for a variety of study levels and degrees. Undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, and exchange studies all fall under this category. This also includes taking part in a preparatory course or a non-academic German language programme.


You can apply for one of three different types of German student visas:


  • Student visa for Germany. This is the typical student visa for foreigners who have been accepted to one of Germany's recognised universities and are prepared to begin their studies in a university programme there.

  • German applicant for a student visa. If you need to be in Germany to submit a personal application for admission to a university, you need this visa. You cannot study in Germany with this visa, which is only good for the university application process.

  • German Language Course Visa. You need this type of visa to study for a German language course in Germany.

Germany Student Visa prerequisites


The most important requirements during your Germany student visa process are:


Visa Application Documents for Germany study visa.

  • Duly filled out and signed national visa application form.

  • Your valid national passport.

  • Two photocopies of your passport.

  • Your certificate of birth.

  • Your marriage certificate. (If applicable).

  • Your child’s certificate of birth. (If applicable).

  • Your recent passport-style photographs. (Up to 3).

  • Photocopies of previous German residence titles. (If applicable).


"Finanzierungsnachweis," or evidence of financial resources. (One of the aforementioned)


  • Deposit confirmation of €11,208 at a restricted German bank account.

  • Letter of commitment and documentation of your parents' financial assets and income sources.

  • Verpflichtungserklärung, a letter of commitment from a resident of Germany. This letter is provided by the German resident who will pay for your tuition during your studies at the Alien Registration Office.

  • Certificate of giving a scholarship. It must display the cost coverage amount.

  • Bank Guarantee. Issued from a reputable German bank.

Proof of University Admission


"Zulassungsbescheid," which confirms enrollment in studies. a document from a reputable German higher education institution stating your start date for study and the language of instruction.


Proof of a verified intensive course, or "Intensiv-Sprachkurs," and of conditional admission, or "Bedingter Zulassungsbescheid." Before receiving your official offer of admission to the university, the letter must attest that you have completed and been verified to complete an intensive language course. The course must be longer than six months and include at least 18 hours of instruction per week.

evidence of conditional admission to a university.


From "uni-assist," a letter of confirmation


  • Confirmation of acceptance as a candidate.

  • Having a conversation with the university about the requirements for admission in the end.

  • Evidence of payment for the language course. accompanied by a course registration confirmation. Payout must at least cover three initial costs.

  • Confirmation of admission in a university preparatory course “Studienkolleg”.


Proof of conditional university admission.


  • Letter from “uni-assist”.

  • Confirmation of admission as an applicant.

  • Communication with the university, regarding conditions for final admission.

  • Proof of having been confirmed as a participant in the course.

Evidence of your earlier education.

  • Original school-leaving certificate.

  • Degree certificate. (If you’re entering Master or PhD studies).


Student Health Insurance.

University entrance qualification.

Certificate of German or English Language Proficiency.

How to Apply For A German Student Visa?


Many overseas students find the procedure of applying for a student visa in Germany to be complex. Although the processes vary from nation to nation, the key stages you must follow are generally outlined here.


The procedures for requesting a German student visa are as follows:


1.Find The Nearest German Consulate or Embassy.


To learn more about the requirements and schedule a visa appointment, you can use Google to look up an embassy or a consulate in your country (or a nearby country) that is close by. Each and every official German diplomatic mission abroad has a website that includes their physical address and contact details.


2.Review the guidelines and requirements.


Once you've located the German embassy website, you visit the sections on student visas to evaluate all the particular conditions for your nation and the steps to schedule a visa appointment. Before scheduling a visa appointment, make sure you thoroughly read through all the material supplied (particularly the documents you need to have).


3. Make an appointment for a visa.


When you're prepared, you should schedule a visa appointment by following the instructions provided on the German embassy's official website in your nation. You should apply for your visa appointment a few weeks in advance in some countries because the embassy may be swamped with applications and it may take longer for your visa to reach you. Timing is crucial; sometimes, all available seats for student visa interviews are occupied, so be sure to move quickly.


4. Prepare all the necessary documents for the visa application.


Check all of your paperwork again to make sure they are all in order after the date of your visa appointment has been confirmed. You don't have to pay any outside consultants or companies to submit your application for you; you may do it yourself.


5. Get ready for the visa interview.


At the time of your visa interview, you should have the payment confirmation and the visa application fee (between $60.00 and $75.00) with you. If your visa application is denied, this money is not refundable. You must ascertain the currency exchange rate in your nation and pay the precise sum. You should get ready for your interview in advance. Here are some of the most typical queries and responses during student visa interviews. You will learn in a formal manner if your application for a visa has been accepted or rejected after the interview.


Germany Student Visa Processing Time

Your application for a German student visa will typically take up to 25 days to process. Depending on the nation and German embassy you apply to, the processing period varies.


The processing time for all other study visa requests to Germany is typically three months.

German Student Applicant Visa

If you intend to travel to Germany to apply in person for university admission, you should apply for a German student applicant visa.


Initially granted for a period of three months, this visa may, if necessary, be extended upon arrival in Germany for an additional period of six months.


You will be allowed to switch to a German student visa or a residence permit for study if you obtain the anticipated letter of admission in a full-time university study programme or a university preparation measure within six months.

Required documents to apply for a residence permit for studies in Germany:

  • Duly completed application form for a residence permit. The original name ‘Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels’.

  • Your national passport/national ID card. It has to show you have a valid entry visa if you’ve entered with a visa.

  • Documents showing your permanent address in Germany.

  • Confirmation of registration.

  • Rental contract.

  • Letter from landlord confirming your permanent address.

  • Recent passport-type photographs.

  • Proof of financial subsistence. (Send the same evidence you’ve provided when applied for the visa).

  • Proof of being admitted in studies. (e.g. certificate of enrollment, confirmation of admission, or evidence of conditional admission in studies.)

  • Money to pay the application fee. The cost of applying is 56-100 euros for first-time applications, 49-96 euros for an extension of the residence permit. For Turkish students, it’s 28.8 euros.


5 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page