HOW TO APPLY FOR A STUDENT VISA IN GERMANY AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT

Germany has emerged as a popular study destination for international students who are looking for high-quality education and an incredible cultural experience. Many international students are choosing to study abroad in Germany because the German education system is one of the best in the world. As an international student, you get access to excellent universities, affordable tuition, and a plethora of opportunities for personal and professional growth. One of the many benefits of studying in Germany as an international student is the freedom to travel within the Schengen Area which includes countries like Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Netherlands, Norway and more. 

However, if you’re reading this then you probably know many of the benefits of studying in Germany as an international student. This means the reason you’re here is that you would like to explore and learn about the key requirements and steps for applying for a German student visa. The good news is you’re in the right place so let’s explore how you can apply for a German student visa:

WHO CAN APPLY FOR A STUDENT VISA IN GERMANY?

Applying for a visa in Germany can be quite daunting. If you don’t know the right procedures, you might end up ruining your application and this could be a disaster because you may be prevented from applying in the future. However, before you start your application process, it is important to know that studying in Germany does not require a visa for citizens of some countries. 

Germany allows citizens from EU member states to study and/or enter Germany without needing to apply for a German student visa. These countries are:

EU Countries:
Norway,
Iceland,
Liechtenstein,
or Switzerland

Other Countries: 
Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the USA, the UK, Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco, and San Marino 

If you are an international student from any of the countries listed above, the good news is that you do NOT need a student visa to study in Germany. You can enter Germany with your national ID and are not required to apply for a student or any other type of visa before moving to Germany. However, you must register your address with the Resident Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) after you arrive in Germany.

If you don’t have citizenship from any of the countries listed above, you have to apply for a German student visa if you wish to study in Germany.

APPLYING FOR A STUDENT VISA IN GERMANY
There are various requirements you must fulfil as an international student if you want to study in Germany. Here is a step-by-step guide to getting a student visa for Germany if you are an international student, starting with:

GAIN ADMISSION TO A SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY IN GERMANY

As an international student who wishes to study in Germany, you must first obtain a German university admission as this will serve as the first step in applying for a student visa. You can only move on to the next steps if you have applied for and obtained admission into an educational institution in Germany. To study at a German university, international students must first gain admission to their desired program. This typically involves submitting an application that includes your:

CV/Resume
Copies of your high school and college transcripts and certificates
Proof of English proficiency (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test)
Letter of Motivation
Work Experience  (usually applies to Master  programs)

Please note that admission requirements can vary between universities and programs, so be sure to research the specific criteria for your field of study. Or you can simply schedule a free consultation with your educational consultant so they can help you pick the right school and course.

GATHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

This is a very important part of your student visa application. Here is a list of documents international students are required to provide if they wish to study in Germany:

• Complete visa application form: You can find the form on the website of the responsible German Embassy/Consulate near you
  
• Passport: Valid passport and a proper copy of your bio-data page.
• 2x Recent biometric photos: The size of the photo should be 35(W) x 45(H). Your face in this photo should be visible and must occupy 70-80% of the picture. Our team can assist you with this. 
• Acceptance letter from a German university or college: A letter of acceptance, or Zulassungsbescheid in German, is a document that you receive from the university you applied to. It states that your application was successful and that you are offered a place in the program.
• Diploma: Highschool and College (if applicable)
• Proof of financial resources: This is proof that you can finance your living costs while in Germany
  - Declaration of Commitment or “Verpflichtungserklärung” by a resident of Germany
  - OR proof of a Blocked Account in your name 
       - FINTIBA BLOCKED ACCOUNT   /  EXPATRIO BLOCKED ACCOUNT
             
  For more details on living expenses, contact your educational consultant for updated information.
• Letter of Motivation/Statement of Purpose: A Statement of Purpose is called a “Letter of Motivation (LOM)” in Germany. This is a mandatory application document requested by all local German Embassies/Consulates in which you need to make a formal request for your German visa. Just like SOP for Australia or Canada etc, you will need to write a letter that demonstrates your motivation for why you’re seeking a study permit in Germany.
• Curriculum Vitae/Résumé: Curriculum vitae (CV) or Résumé is another compulsory document where you should provide information regarding your academic background, work experience (including internships), extracurricular activities and skills. 
  Please note that your CV has to be submitted according to the German Tabular style. Your educational consultant can help you out with this.
• Proof of health insurance: Every international student who wishes to study in Germany must obtain preliminary health insurance that covers the first 3 months of their study in the country. In this case, you might use your travel insurance, however, once you arrive in Germany, you are required to get an insurance plan with one of the private or public providers to cover the rest of your stay.
• English language proficiency: Although you will be studying in Germany, international students are required to know how to speak English since most lessons/classes will be taught using English. If the program is taught in English, then English Proficiency is required such as TOEFL or IELTS and in some cases, Duolingo is accepted. 
  This varies from school to school so please contact your educational consultant for more info.

APPLYING FOR A GERMAN STUDENT VISA

This is the next step and the current German student visa application fee is 75 Euros. The embassy or consulate will give you all the information you need and process your application. 

To hand in your documents and apply, you must reserve an appointment beforehand. This can often be done online. Our education consultants can assist you with this. You can prepare for your visa interview by ensuring you have all your documents organized and ready. During the interview, you may be asked about your study plans, financial status, and future goals. It is vital that you are honest and clear. 

STATUS OF YOUR VISA APPLICATION

The processing time for a German student visa can vary, but it typically takes between 6 to 12 weeks. It’s advisable to apply well in advance of your intended departure date. Once your visa is approved, you can start preparing for your move to Germany but make sure you know your ultimate study abroad packing guide so you won’t be caught off guard when you arrive. 

SECRET TIP

Studying in Germany is a fantastic opportunity that offers access to world-class education, rich cultural experiences, and numerous professional opportunities. The application process should be meticulous, proper preparation and organization can make the journey much smoother. 

The truth is that many international students who wish to apply for a German student visa make mistakes or errors during this step and this leads to their visa being rejected. This is because there are so many documents you need to submit to get your German student visa. Additionally, the requirements change occasionally, and some international students use outdated information which leads to errors. 

The German visa requirements are very important. The secret tip we have is for you to let an experienced study-abroad agency assist you during this step. One of the benefits of choosing a study abroad agency is to avoid mistakes and ruin your chances of studying in Germany. Schedule a free consultation with us below. 

Disclaimer: Having an education consultant to assist you does not guarantee in any way a visa approval but it does help you prepare the right documents promptly.