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.
Do You Need a Visa To Study In Germany?
You require a German national visa for studies that last longer than three months.
You require a Schengen visa to study in the EU for up to 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.
The first thing you must do is determine whether you require a visa in order to study in Germany as an international student. If so, which sort of visa you must apply for taking into account the length and nature of your intended studies?
Germany Study 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 program.
You can apply for one of three different types of German student visas:
German Student Applicant 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; it is just good for the college application process.
German Student Visa: This is the typical student visa for foreigners who have been accepted to one of Germany’s recognized universities and are prepared to begin their studies in a university program there.
German Language Course Visa: This kind of visa is required to enroll in a German language course in Germany.
German Student Visa Requirements
When applying for a student visa in Germany, the most crucial conditions are:
Visa Application Documents
====> Application for a national visa that has been properly completed and signed.
====> Your current passport of record.
====> Passport copies in two different colors.
====> Your birth certificate.
====> The marriage license. (If appropriate).
====> Birth certificate for your child. (If appropriate).
====> Current pictures in passport format. (Up to 3).
====> Documents of prior residency permits issued in Germany. (If appropriate).
Proof of University Admission
====> “Zulassungsbescheid” confirming enrollment in the study. A document from a reputable German higher education institution that states your start date for studies and the language of instruction.
====> Proof of a verified intense course (“Intensiv-Sprachkurs”) and conditional admission (“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.
====> Communication from “uni-assist”
====> 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. The payment must cover the first three months at least.
Confirmation of enrollment in the “Studienkolleg” university preparatory program.
====> Evidence of conditional admission to a university.
====> Communication from “uni-assist”
====> Confirmation of acceptance as a candidate.
====> Having a conversation with the university about the requirements for admission in the end.
====> Proof that your participation in the course has been officially confirmed.
Proof of Financial Resources “Finanzierungsnachweis” (One of the Subsequent)
====> “Verpflichtungserklärung” 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.
====> Letter of commitment and documentation of your parents’ financial assets and income sources.
====> Certificate of giving a scholarship. It must display the cost coverage amount.
====> Deposit confirmation of €11,208 at a restricted German bank account.
====> Bank promise, yours from a reputable German bank.
Proof of Your Prior Schooling
====> Original certificate of graduation.
====> Diploma with a degree. (If you are beginning a Master’s or PhD program).
====> Health Insurance for Students.
====> Entry requirements for universities.
====> German or English language proficiency certification.
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How Do I Apply For A Student Visa In Germany?
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:
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.
Review the guidelines and requirements: After finding the German embassy website, proceed to the section on student visas to check all the requirements that apply to your nation specifically as well as the steps to schedule a visa appointment.
Before scheduling a visa appointment, make sure you thoroughly read through all the information supplied, paying particular attention to the list of required papers.
Set Up A Visa Appointment: 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.
Prepare the necessary documentation for your 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.
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. You will learn in a formal manner if your application for a visa has been accepted or rejected after the interview.
When Should I Apply for My German Student Visa?
The earliest possible moment after getting the university letter of admission and acquiring the required cash to live and study in Germany is the optimal time to apply for a German student visa.
This is one of the most crucial conditions, and if you haven’t received an official scholarship, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial stability in other ways, including by depositing the money in a banned German account.
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 the study if you obtain the anticipated letter of admission in a full-time university study program or a university preparation measure within 6 months.
How to Obtain a German Student Residence Permit?
Step 1 ====> Find your permanent house: You must secure long-term housing during the first week of arriving in Germany with a student visa.
Step 2 ====> Register at the Resident’s Office: Following that, you must register such a living address with the neighborhood resident’s office. Upon registration, you will receive a “Meldebescheinigung” confirming your registration.
The following paperwork is necessary to register in Germany as an international student:
Your valid national passport or national ID card: If you are a citizen of a country with a visa regime, it must demonstrate that you have a current visa.
Rental contract
Letter confirming your living address: Issued by the owner of the property you have rented.
Enroll in studies: To take part in classes and gain access to university resources, you must formally enroll at the institution. This must be completed within the enrollment period and by the deadline listed in your admission letter.
The “Studentensekretariat” of the university where you will be studying is where you submit the required documentation to complete the matriculation procedure. Before receiving the ID, password, and finally the ID card as a student, you must also pay a semester fee.
As an overseas student enrolling in German university studies, the following documentation is needed:
National Passport/national ID Card: If you are a citizen who is eligible for a visa to enter, it must demonstrate that you have a valid entry visa for your studies.
Confirmation of admission to studies
Recent passport-sized photographs
Student Health Insurance.
German University Entrance Qualification: or, a credential with equivalent recognition that enables you to begin your university studies in Germany.
Apply for a residence permit for studies: As a registered student, you must apply for a residence permit through the local “Einwohnermeldeamt” of Foreigners in order to obtain a visa extension.
Documents needed to apply for a residence visa in Germany for academic purposes
Duly completed application form for a residence permit. The original name ‘Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels’.
Money to pay the application fee. The application fee ranges from 56 to 100 euros for first applications and from 49 to 96 euros for a residence permit extension. It costs 28.8 euros for students from Turkey.
Your national passport/national ID card. It has to show you have a valid entry visa if you’ve entered with a visa.
Proof of being admitted to studies. (For instance, a statement of enrolment, proof of admission, or documentation of conditional entrance to studies.)
Proof of financial subsistence. (Send the same evidence you provided when applied for the visa).
Documents showing your permanent address in Germany.
Confirmation of registration.
Rental contract.
Letter from landlord confirming your permanent address.
Recent passport-type photographs.