Germany Student Visa Process and Requirements

Germany is the place to be when it comes to higher education quality, research facilities, teaching approach, low-cost studies, and career prospects. If you wish to study here, a German student visa is one of the prerequisites, depending on where you are from.

Is a visa required for international students to study in Germany?

Your nationality determines the answer to this question as per the following details:

Group #1:

Citizens/Nationals of EU member states, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland. Students from these countries can enter Germany using their national ID cards and do not need to apply for a visa before moving to Germany. After you arrive in Germany, the only official step you will have to take is to register your living address with the Resident Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt).

Group #2:

Citizens of Canada, Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United States of America, Brazil, El Salvador, Andorra, Honduras, Monaco, and San Marino do not require a visa before moving to Germany. Students from these countries must simply register their address with the Einwohnermeldeamt (Resident Registration Office) and apply for a residence permit within 90 days after arriving in Germany. They will almost certainly need all of the documentation required for a student visa, including the German blocked account in the bank, to apply for the resident permit.

Group #3:

Nationals of any other country not mentioned in Group #1 and 2 need a student visa.

Study Visas in Germany: What are the Different Types?

There are three types of German student visas available:

German Student Visa:

This is the regular student visa for international students who have been accepted to a German university and are ready to begin full-time study there. This visa usually is good for three months, giving you enough time to arrive in Germany, settle in, register your address, and obtain your residence permit, which allows you to stay for the duration of your studies.

German Student Applicant Visa:

This particular visa is required if you need to be in Germany to apply for admission to German university/college admission in person. This visa is just good for the university application process; you cannot study in Germany with it. This visa is also suitable for three months, however, it can be extended if necessary. Once you arrive in Germany and get your admission letter, you will have enough time to complete the university’s entry requirements and convert your student applicant visa into a resident permit.

German Language Course Visa:

This sort of visa is required to enroll in a German language course in Germany.

Requirements of German Student Visa

The following are the most important documents for obtaining a German student visa;

Documents for Visa Application

Visa application forms

A valid passport
Birth certificate
Marriage certificate (If applicable)

The birth certificate of your child (If applicable)
Recent Passport Sized Photographs (Maximum of three)
Photocopies of prior residency visas in Germany (If applicable)

Copies of previously completed academic qualifications
Certificate of German or English Language Proficiency
German Higher Education Entrance Qualification

Student Health Insurance
Letter of Acceptance of admission from the College / University

Proof of Financial Resources

Any one of the following conditions should be met;

€10,332 of deposit confirmation to a German blocked account.
A letter of commitment and proof of your parents’ financial holdings and income records.
A German resident’s “Verpflichtungserklärung” is a letter of commitment. This letter is signed by a German resident who will support your expenses during your study period at the Registration Office.

The institution’s certificate of the scholarship award summarizing the total amount it covers in terms of expenses.
A bank guarantee from a well-known German bank in your name

The process to apply for a German student visa

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

Step #1: Locate the German Consulate or Embassy in your area:

To learn more about the criteria and arrange a visa appointment, use Google Map to locate a nearby embassy or consulate in your country (or another nearby country). All official German missions in foreign countries have an official website in addition to their physical address and contact information.

Step #2 – Review the Procedures and Requirements in Step 2:

When you’ve discovered the German embassy’s website, go to the student visa section to learn about your country’s specific requirements and how to make a visa appointment. Check all of the materials provided (especially the paperwork you’ll need) completely before booking a visa appointment.

Step 3: Schedule a visa appointment:

When you’re ready, schedule a visa interview by visiting the German embassy’s official website in your country and following the instructions. You should apply for your visa appointment a few weeks ahead of time. It’s critical to act quickly because all student visa interview slots may be filled at any time.

Step #4 – Gather all required visa application documents:

Double-check all of your papers once you’ve gotten confirmation of your visa appointment date to ensure you have all you need. You don’t need to pay any outside consultants or companies to help you with the application because you can do it yourself.

Step #5: Double-check that you’re prepared for your visa interview:

During the visa interview process, the applicant must answer general, personal, and specific questions and enquiries about their future plans after completing their studies in Germany. You will be notified whether your visa has been approved or rejected after the interview.

Cost of German Student Visa

The application fee for a German student visa is approximately 75€ EUR. If the visa application is refused, the amount paid is non-refundable.

Application Processing Time

The average processing time for a German student visa application is 25 days. The time it takes to process your application varies depending on which country you apply to and which German embassy you apply to.

Visas for Dependents of Students

While you are a student in Germany, non-EU/EEA/Swiss students’ dependents (spouse and children) may be permitted to join you. This is achievable if you have a legal residence permit, adequate funds, health insurance, and a place to live, validated by your educational institution. You’ll need to prove your relationships, and they’ll need to apply for visas accordingly.

Steps to take if Visa Application is Refused

It is very unlikely that your application will be rejected if you thoroughly complete it and provide all related documents. However, if your application is turned down, and your rejection was due to an incomplete form or missing papers, simply reapply, ensuring that any errors have been remedied.

If you believe your application was denied unfairly, you have a month to challenge the German visa refusal by filing a notice with the Berlin Administrative Court.