Posted by : Tubai Paul
Author Designation : Marketing & PR (Kolkata)
All about German Student Visa
In Germany, visa and residence permit requirements depend on your nationality. Some students skip both, some only need a residence permit, while most require both a visa and a residence permit. Discover which category you fall into and learn how to secure your visa by reading further.
Germany Student Visa: Indian students who are looking to study in Germany for more than 90 days would be required to apply for a German Student Visa. And once they have entered the country they would be required to get a residence permit. Students would need to prove to the German visa officer that they have finances for one year. The amount would be €934 per month or €11,208 per annum (approx) kept in a Blocked Account. A residence permit issued to students is valid for a maximum of two years. It needs to be renewed if the duration of the course is longer than the stated two years.
As we have already established, two types of visas allow you to study in Germany: the Schengen visa (C visa) for short courses lasting up to three months, and the national visa (D visa) for courses lasting more than three months.
There are three types of German national visa (D visa) issued to students that you can apply for depending on your circumstances:
- German Student Visa. If you have been admitted to a German higher education institution and are ready to start your studies in a higher education program.
- German Student Applicant Visa. If you have applied to a state-approved higher education institution/state-approved provider of preparatory courses and have a good chance of getting admitted, but do not yet have a certificate of admission or confirmation of application.
- German Language Course Visa. If you want to attend intensive German language courses in Germany without pursuing university studies.
Cost of Germany Student Visa
Germany Student Visa would cost students around €75. The processing time could take up to 25 days if all your documents are in order. A lot of times applicants are required to provide more/additional documents. For such cases, the processing time for the Germany Student Visa could go up to 12 weeks. Candidates looking to apply for a Residence Permit on arrival to Germany would have to pay up to €110. It can take a long time to be issued, which is anywhere between 8 to 12 weeks. Since this roughly translates to 3 months, international students are advised to apply as early as possible.
Visa Application Documents
- Duly filled out and signed national visa application form.
- Valid passport.
- Two photocopies of your passport.
- Birth certificate.
- Marriage certificate (if applicable).
- Your child’s birth certificate (if applicable).
- Recent passport-style photographs (up to 3). You can obtain biometric photos conveniently from MyBiometricPhotos.com.
- Photocopies of previous German residence titles (if applicable).
Proof of Financial Resources
You can submit one of the following to prove your financial resources:
- €11,208 deposit confirmation at a German blocked bank account (Sperrkonto).
- Sufficient proof of your parent’s income records and financial assets.
- Scholarship awarding certificate specifying coverage amount.
- Letter of commitment by a German resident (Verpflichtungserklärung) who can cover your expenses during your studies.
- Bank guarantee issued to you by a recognized bank.
- Confirmation of admission (Zulassungsbescheid) – issued from a recognized German educational institution, indicating your program start date and language of instruction.
- Confirmation of admission in a university preparatory course (Studienkolleg) – it can be a letter from uni-assist, confirmation of admission as an applicant, communication with the university regarding conditions for final admission, or proof of having been confirmed as a participant in the course.
- Proof of conditional admission (Bedingter Zulassungsbescheid) and confirmation of enrollment in a long-term intensive language course (Intensiv-Sprachkurs) lasting over 6 months with a minimum of 18 weekly hours – it can be proof of conditional university admission (letter from uni-assist, confirmation of admission as an applicant, communication with the university regarding conditions for final admission), or proof of payment for the first three months of the course with a confirmed spot.
Proof of Purpose of Stay
Evidence of Previous Qualifications
Submit official documents and notarized copies of the academic qualifications that apply to you. Include your original school-leaving certificate and, if applicable, your degree certificate for Master’s or PhD studies.
Health Insurance
Health insurance is mandatory for studying in Germany. If you’re from an EU/EEA country or have an agreement with Germany, you may use your existing insurance with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or other form of health insurance. Otherwise, you must get German health insurance for your student visa and enrollment.
Many providers offer digital registration before arriving in Germany, with final details to be submitted upon arrival.
Proof of German or English Proficiency
To obtain a national student visa in Germany, you must prove your proficiency in the language of instruction for your chosen study program. Typically, a minimum B2 level in German and/or English is required for student visas, which can be demonstrated through language exams.
Visa Processing Fee
The visa processing fee for a German national student visa is €75, and minors (applicants under 18) pay a reduced fee of €37.50. You should bring this exact cash amount in the local currency when you submit your application. Some recipients of scholarships issued by a public institution may be exempt from this fee, so check with your local German embassy or consulate for specific details. There are no refunds if your visa is denied.
Required Bank Balance for a German Study Visa
As of 2024, you must have a minimum of €11,208 in your blocked bank account when applying for a German student visa. Be aware that you can withdraw a maximum of €934 monthly from your blocked account.
Process of German Student Visa
Once you make sure you fulfill all requirements, you can begin the German Student Visa application process. The steps you need to go through vary depending on your country, but here’s a general overview of what you’ll need to do:
- Locate the closest German embassy or consulate. You can use this list or Google to search for an embassy or consulate in your country or a nearby country to gather more details about visa requirements and scheduling a visa appointment. All official German missions in different countries have an official website with their physical address and contact information available online.
- Review the requirements and procedures. Visit the German embassy website and navigate to the student visa section to examine your country’s specific requirements and appointment procedures. Make sure you carefully review all the information provided (especially the documents you need to have) before you set up a visa appointment.
- Set up a visa appointment. Once prepared, schedule a visa appointment through your country’s German embassy website. Some embassies may have a high volume of applications, so applying a few weeks in advance is advisable.
- Prepare and double-check documents. Once your visa appointment date is confirmed, you should double-check all of your documents to ensure everything is in order. If you follow all instructions, you can do this yourself without needing to pay any outside consultants or agencies to apply for you.
- Prepare for your visa interview. Before your visa interview, pay the non-refundable visa processing fee (€75, €35.50 for minors) and keep the payment confirmation. Prepare for the interview in advance by reviewing common student visa questions. After the interview, you’ll need to wait for the official decision on your visa status.
Germany Student Visa Processing Time
On average, it takes up to 25 days for your German student visa application to be processed. The processing time varies depending on the country and the German embassy you apply to. All other German visa applications for studies are normally processed within 3 months.
How To Get a Student Residence Permit in Germany
A student residence permit in Germany is essential for anyone who plans to study in the country for longer than 90 days and is not an EU/EEA citizen. It allows you to live and study in Germany, and you can work for a limited number of hours per year.
Here are the steps to getting a student residence permit in Germany:
Find Your Permanent Accommodation
During your first two weeks in Germany with a study visa, you should arrange for long-term accommodation if you haven’t already done so.
Register at the Local Resident’s Office
After securing long-term housing, register at the local Resident’s Office (Anmeldung). This is a mandatory step for those staying over three months, where you will get an address registration certificate (Anmeldebestätigung).
Documents needed for registration in Germany as an international student include:
- Valid passport or national ID (with a valid visa if applicable)
- Rental contract
- A confirmation letter from your landlord specifying your address
Enroll in Your Chosen Academic Program
To begin your studies, you must officially enroll at the university during the specified enrollment period mentioned in your admission letter. This process, known as matriculation, involves submitting necessary documents to the student affairs office at your university. You’ll also need to pay the semester fee before receiving your student ID, password, and your student ID card.
Here’s a list of the documents you’ll need to enroll as an international student in Germany:
- Application for enrollment (online or printed)
- National passport/national ID card with a valid visa (if applicable)
- Letter of acceptance from your university
- Proof of statutory health insurance in Germany
- German University Entrance Qualification or equivalent recognized qualification
Note: Your university’s International Office can offer the most up-to-date information for both academic and residence-related inquiries.
Apply for a Residence Permit for Studies
You will have to apply for a residence permit for students before your visa expires (if applicable). To do so, you will have to make an appointment at the local Foreigner’s Office and start preparing your application documents.
Requirements to Apply for a Student Residence Permit in Germany
To apply for a residence permit, you will need to provide the documents above:
- Duly completed application form for a residence permit.
- Your national passport/national ID card. It has to show you have a valid entry visa if you’ve entered with a visa.
- Documents showing your permanent address in Germany.
- Confirmation of registration to the city. The Meldebescheinigung confirms that you have registered at the local Resident’s Office.
- Proof of residence certificate. It must be signed and filled by your landlord.
- Recent passport-type photographs.
- Proof of being admitted to studies. (e.g. certificate of enrollment, confirmation of admission, or evidence of conditional admission in studies.)
- Proof of financial subsistence. (Send the same evidence you provided when/if you applied for the visa).
- Money to pay the application fee. You’ll need to cover the application fee for a German residence permit, with costs varying by location and circumstances. For adults, the first issuance fee is around 100 euros, while it’s 50 euros for minors. Extending your residence permit usually costs 93-97 euros for adults and half that for minors.
Summing up, this is everything that you need to know as a student visa applicant. We hope that by now you are well-equipped with the mandatory application steps and post-arrival procedures.
Remember, thorough research and timely actions are vital to ensure a smooth switch to student life in Germany. If you need expert guidance and support throughout your university and visa application process, then VIDYAXCEL is at your service in person and virtually. With the right resources and assistance, going to study in abroad, particularly in Germany can soon become a reality. So, connect with our team today!
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