If you opted to study in Germany, you’ll get to experience quality education and research, study in top-ranked universities or colleges, and live in a diverse country. For the past years, Germany is chosen among international students as one of the best countries to upgrade their education because it offers affordable yet world-class education.
Before going to Germany, you’ll be needing a student visa. This document is needed before going to this country. Having a German student visa will take some time to process, and you need to prepare for the papers and fees that they may require.
In this article, let’s discuss the documents and fees that you need to prepare beforehand. We will also talk about the types of German student visas and the steps to get this document.
What documents do you need to apply for a student visa in Germany?
If you’re accepted into a German university, you need to process your student visa at least three months before your leave. The requirements may differ per country, so you should contact your respective German embassies to know the specific documents you should submit.
But usually, they will require you to submit the following documents:
- Visa Application Form
- Your passport
- Two copies of your personal photo
- Letter of acceptance in a German university
- Transcript of records, academic certificates, and diplomas from your previous program and university.
- A certificate or proof of German or English language proficiency (depends on your chosen study program)
- Documents stating your financial resources to support your studies in Germany. It can be proven through a blocked account (you need to transfer at least €10,332 per year). If you also have scholarships, you can present them.
- Health Insurance
Check Also: Programs in Europe for International Students
How much money do you need for Germany’s Student Visa?
Germany’s student visa may cost between €75. You need to pay the fee upon the start of your visa application.
Steps on Applying for a Student Visa in Germany
After knowing the requirements, it’s time to start your visa application. Since not all countries are required to get a German visa application, kindly check the list of countries exempted from obtaining a student visa. Usually, if these foreign students are exempted from getting a student visa, they will still need to apply for a residence permit (Check the fifth step).
If your country is not on the list, you need to get a German student visa. Let’s start your visa application in your admission to a German University.
1. Be admitted to a German University
If you already applied to a German university and your application is successful, you should receive a letter of admission. But if you haven’t planned on what university you’re going into, you can choose from more than 400 higher education institutions in Germany. Some of the best German universities are the Technical University of Munich, the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, and RWTH Aachen University.
You can check these universities and the programs they offer to see what suits you.
2. Know what type of student visa should you apply for
You will need a long-term visa if your purpose of travel is to study. There are different types of student visas in Germany, and these student visas differ in their purpose. Before starting your visa application, you should know what kind of German student visa you should apply for because they may require different sets of documents. Here are the three types of student visas:
- The main German Visa – This is open to international students already accepted in a German university.
- Language Course Visa – This visa is needed for international students taking a German language preparatory course that can last from 3 months up to one year.
- Student Applicant Visa – Incoming foreign students can apply for this visa if they are still waiting or processing their admission results.
3. Have a language proficiency certificate
Since one of the basic requirements in getting a student visa in Germany is language proficiency, you need to take examinations or preparatory courses to get a certification. If you’re taking an English-taught study program, you can present your scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). On the other hand, if you’re taking a German-taught study program, you need to present a German proficiency test such as TestDaF or Start Deutsch 1.
If you’re not taking a German-taught study program, you can still consider taking a German preparatory course. You should be able to speak and understand the basic German language, and during your visa interview, they will check your German proficiency.
4. Contact and make an appointment in your country’s German embassy.
After completing the requirements, you can now set an appointment in your home country’s German embassy (You can navigate or type your country to check the contact details of the nearest German embassy). On the German embassy’s website, you should book an appointment.
On the day of your appointment, kindly bring all the documents and prepare for an interview. They will verify your information, ask some questions regarding your study and check your knowledge about the German language.
After your appointment, the embassy will process your application. Usually, it can take up to 25 days. Your application will be taken to your German university’s immigration office, and then it will be returned to your country. Sometimes, depending on your country, it can be longer. That’s why it is advised to start your Germany student visa application three months before your planned leave.
5. Arrive in Germany and get a residence permit
Lastly, after you arrive in Germany, you need to get a residence permit. But first, kindly check from your respective German embassies if you need a residence permit because some countries are exempted.
To apply for a student permit, you will need to present some documents such as a copy of your passport, admission letter in a German university, address in Germany, and others. You will need to schedule an appointment with the nearest Immigration Authorities.
I hope that this article on how to apply for a student visa in Germany was helpful. If you are interested in studying in Europe, make sure to check out Available Programs in Europe for International Students.
