A visa needed is the authorizing official document required to permit a non-German national to enter and stay in the territory of Germany for the purpose of studying, for a specific intended period. In this post, you’ll learn about how you can get German Study Visa.
Germany is a place to be when it comes to the quality of higher education, research infrastructure, teaching methodology, low-cost studies, and career prospects. However, not every foreign student is able to pursue such a dream, right away. This is because several nationalities are NOT allowed to enter and stay in the territory of Germany without enjoying the appropriate German Visa.
You will need to apply for the appropriate German Study VISA at the Embassy or Consulate of Germany in your country to enter and stay for the intended period in Germany, especially if you come from one of these countries.
When Should You Start Applying For the German Visa?
Speaking of the appropriate time, there is no fixed period where you should make the visa application, but it is highly suggested to do it early enough in advance from your planned travel to Germany.
Typically, 3 (three) months before the start of planned studies, worked suitably for many who already went through the same experience.
Do You Need A Blocked Account to Apply for German Study Visa?
To highly increase your chances of getting your student visa, you should use a blocked account as proof of financial resources.
A blocked account is a special type of bank account for international students in Germany, to prove you have enough funds to live in Germany for one year during your studies.
As of 2018, it is estimated that a foreign student in Germany spends an average of €720 euros per month at minimum. So, you need to have €8640 in your bank account before applying for a German student visa.
Learn more about the German Blocked Account at Fintiba
German Visa Types for Study Purposes
As we explained earlier, whenever you want to travel to Germany for study purposes, you have to apply for the appropriate German Visa, related to the purpose of your travel and stay there – studying.
There are three types of visas meant for people intending to pursue educational activities in Germany:
- Language Course Visa (Visa for Language Learning)– for educational activities lasting from 3 months up to 1 year, for the purpose of participating in short German language courses.
- Student Applicant Visa (Visum Zur Studienbewerbung)– if you want to study in Germany, but are still trying to find the right program or you still haven’t got the confirmation letter from your University
- Student Visa (Visum Zu Studienzwecken)– if you have already been accepted to a German university.
Where and How to Apply for a Germany Study Visa?
You should apply for your visa at the German Embassy or Consulate in your country.
First, you need to schedule an appointment for a visa interview. On the day of the interview, you should offer your visa application documents.
Additionally, you will need to respond to the interview questions that the consular officer prepares in order to closely examine you as a potential visa candidate.
Leave A Visa Appointment Soon ENOUGH!
Before doing anything else, in order to apply for the Student Visa, you need to set up a visa appointment at the German Embassy or Consulate in your country!
Check up for the available dates and make the appointment in the online system on the website of the German Embassy or Consulate in your country, soon after you will be able to plan your departure time.
Visa Interview
Visa interview is the moment where you meet with the consular officer directly as a visa applicant. The same time you need to present all the visa required documents, as your consular officer asks for them orderly. During a visa appointment, the officer also asks you questions about the application, as well as personal ones which you have to answer carefully and truthfully.
Registration at the Resident’s Registration Office
- Foreigners who seek to remain in Germany for more than 2 MONTHS must get the Confirmation on Registration “Meldebestätigung”. To get such a confirmation a foreigner must apply at the local Resident’s Registration Office or “Einwohnermeldeamt”.
- Foreigners who seek to remain in Germany for more than 90 DAYS or 3 MONTHS need to possess the proper residence title (Residence Permit). “Aufenthaltsgenehmigung” is the appropriate title, intended for study purposes. A residence permit will be issued only upon the application of the visa holder at the Alien Registration Office “Ausländerbehörde“ in the city where your university is located.
Important Things To Know as a German Visa applicant and/or Holder
- Additional documents can be required by the visa officer upon the visa interview.
- Appear in person in the visa interview.
- Be cautious about your passport validity- it needs to be valid for your entire period of stay, including the expected extended period.
- Bear in mind that the incomplete visa application can be refused
- Do not stick your photographs in the visa application form
- Don’t take anyone with you to the Embassy or Consulate during a visa interview
- Every applicant is authorized to take legal actions against the embassy or consulate decision on her/his visa application
- Make sure for your trip to Germany to be scheduled early enough so you will have the needed time in disposition to enroll in university.
- Original documents can be required upon the arrival at the airport
- The application form can be downloaded freely on the website of the Embassy or Consulate in your country
- The passport remains at the Embassy / Consulate during the entire process of visa proceeding
- Visa appointments should be made only through the online system (not by phone, e-mail, fax or in person)
- Visa Fee will not be reimbursed in case of visa refusal.
Documents You Need for Your visa Application
Preparing documents early is essential for applying for a Student Visa or Student Applicant visa. Check with the German embassy responsible for your application if there are any nation-specific documents or criteria that apply to you. There are some general documents that you can expect to have to turn in. These include:
- Completed visa application forms
- Valid passport and copy of its data page.
- Recent biometric photos
- For a Student Visa: Acceptance letter from German university or foundation course.
- For a Student Applicant Visa: Application Confirmation.
- Proof of financial resources
- Letter of Motivation/Statement of Purpose.
- Curriculum Vitae
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of language skills
- Certificates of past academic achievements
- Pay the visa fee
Germany Student Visa Fee
The fee for Germany student visa application is 75 EUR.
Student applicants have to pay the visa fees by a bank transfer. Cheques or credit cards are not accepted. The money order must be in the name of the Embassy/Consulate in your home country and not older than two months.
It is important to note that you will not get reimbursed the visa fee if your application for a student visa gets rejected.
How Long Does it Take to Process a German Student Visa?
The processing time for a Germany long-stay study visa may take from 6-12 weeks from the application day. While Germany short-stay study visas are usually decided within 15-30 days by the German missions abroad.
