German student visa

What is a German student visa?

A German student visa is necessary for all international students who wish to pursue studies at German universities. However, students from the European Union (EU) and that of the European Economic Area (EEA) are exempted from it. The visa usually allows you to stay in Germany for the duration of your course. The number of people choosing Germany as their abroad study destination is rising exponentially each year. One can apply for a German student visa at a German consulate in their country before stepping foot in Germany.

Do you need a visa?

1. You need a Schengen visa for studies that last up to 3 months.
2. You need a German national visa for studies that lasts longer than 3 months.

In case you have a National visa, you need to extend your stay by getting a residence permit from the Foreigner’s office. The first thing to take into account is the type of visa you will need depending on the duration and nature of your study course.

Types of German study visas

There are mostly 3 major types of visas meant for people intending to study in Germany:

1. German Student Visa (Visum Zur Studienzwecken)- For those who got admission to a German university and are ready to start their academic journey.
2. Language Course Visa (Visa for Language Learning) – This applies to those students who wish to learn the German language by participating in short courses that last from 3 months to 1 year.
3. Student Applicant Visa (Visum Zur Studienbewerbung) – It mainly applies to those candidates who haven’t chosen a course yet or are awaiting their acceptance letter.

Where and How to apply?

The right place for applying is the German embassy or consulate of your respective country. Meanwhile, you need to schedule an appointment for a visa interview. Apart from that, one must be thoroughly prepared to tackle the interview questions presented by the consular officer. Keep all the documents in handy! Moreover, the officer may ask questions on the application and may throw in a few personal ones! However, you need to make sure that your answers are genuine and honest.

Student visa fee

The German student visa application fee for adults is 75EUR, while that of minors is 37,50EUR. Students need to pay the fee at the end of their visa appointment via a demand draft. Moreover, the money order must be in the name of the consulate or embassy of your home country. However, it must not be older than 2months. On the other hand, the visa fee is non-refundable irrespective of your application status.

How long does it take to process a German student visa?

The German student visa processing time for a long-stay study visa is typically around 6-12 weeks from the date of application. While the short-stay visas take around 15-30 days time frame.

Requirements for a German student visa

Proof of University Admission

You need to submit the original and 2 copies of the same. In addition to that, the letter must include the language of instruction for the course. Moreover, you can arrange the letter from the uni-assist or confirmation of admission.

Evidence of earlier education

For undergraduate students, keep your original school-leaving certificate ready, along with a few photocopies. However, for those students who wish to pursue a master’s, keep your degree certificate handy!

Valid passport

Your valid national passport along with 2 photocopies will be needed. Moreover, your passport must be valid for at least a year from the date of your application. Furthermore, it must possess at least two empty visa pages.

Current biometric photo

You must carry 3 biometric visa pictures along with you. The photos must be on a white background with a 35mm x 45mm(width x length) dimension.

Proof of funds

You need to deposit an amount of 11,208EUR at a German blocked bank account. Apart from that, you can also provide proof of your parent’s income records and financial assets. In the case of scholarships, it must reveal the amount it can cover.  Meanwhile, one can also provide a bank guarantee issued by a recognized German bank.

APS certificate

Started in November 2022, the APS certificate serves as a verification document of academic credentials issued by Indian institutions. It also further outlines the requirements that German universities must meet before granting admission to students.

Proof of health insurance

Whether a student opts for public or private healthcare, regardless, bringing its proof at visa interview is imperative. Students under 30yrs of age must register for public health care while those above 30yrs can avail of private ones.

How to apply for a German student visa?

• Locate the nearest German embassy/consulate and make an appointment

You can search for an embassy or consulate through google near you. Also, you can get a vivid idea of the requirements for visa application. Book an appointment at the consulate office for your interview. You need to book an appointment well in advance to be on the safe side.

• Set up a blocked account

A blocked account basically is a kind of German bank account for international students to prove that they have sufficient funds to survive in the country over their study duration. Since the average living costs round up to 934EUR/month hence an amount of 11,208EUR (for 12 months) must be present in the account. This serves as the year’s living cost.

• Apply for health insurance

You need to register with health insurance, be it private or public.  Students below 30yrs of age are required to have public insurance. Furthermore, they are permitted to pay a discounted rate of 80EUR/month. It encompasses both medical and nursing care insurance. However, those above 30 yrs are barred from this discounted rate. They can apply for any private healthcare cover.

• Fill in the application form

The application form can be downloaded from the nearest consulate’s website. Make sure to fill it without any error. Don’t miss anything, as an incomplete form will render in visa refusal.

• Keep all visa application documents ready

Prior to your appointment, make sure you have ticked everything from your visa requirement checklist. This covers a lot of important documents such as birth certificate, proof of blocked account, high school certificate/degree certificate, health insurance, copies of passport, course acceptance letter, and a properly filled out application form.

• Prepare for your visa interview

The last and final stage includes payment of the visa application fee and keeping the payment confirmation handy! However, the fee is non-refundable in case your visa is rejected. Prepare to face a few personal questions as well! Try to answer carefully and honestly. You will get the status of your application within a few days.

Don’t just sit back and dream, it’s high time to turn them into reality. The process is quite simple and you need not wait indefinitely. Mostly, visa applications don’t take up more than 3 months. Book an appointment and set your dream of studying in Germany in motion!