How to Get a Student Visa for Germany?

Many international students choose Germany as their free education location. You will not need a German student visa if you come from an EU/EEA nation. If you are from a non-EU?EEA country and want to study in Germany for a lengthy time, then you will have to overcome several bureaucratic hurdles before beginning your studies. One of these hurdles is the application for a German visa. Germany is the place to be for high-quality education. An admission letter from a university is necessary. You cannot apply for a student visa to Germany unless you have this. It provides all the information you need to ensure a smooth application process.

Visa Requirement Based on Nationality

1. Applicants from the European Union (Including Norway, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein): No need to obtain a study visa for Germany before entering Germany.

2. Applicants from the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Israel, Japan & South Korea: Will only need a German student visa if they plan to work before or after their degree in Germany. In this case, the applicant should apply for the visa in his/her home country via her local German embassy or consulate. Both applicants with a student visa and non-visa holders must apply for a German Residence Permit within two weeks after entry to Germany. Students from Taiwan must have a passport that includes an identity card number.

3. Applicants from the Countries of Andorra, Brazil, Honduras, El Salvador, Monaco, San Marino & Taiwan: will only need a German student visa if they plan to work before or after their degree in Germany. In this case, the applicant should apply for the visa in his/her home country via her local German embassy or consulate. Both applicants with a student visa and non-visa holders must apply for a German Residence Permit within two weeks after entry to Germany. Students from Taiwan must have a passport that includes an identity card number.

4. Applicants from the rest of the world: he/she must require a German student visa to study in Germany. He/She should apply for a German Student Visa from the local German embassy or consulate in their home country. The typical fee for a German Student visa is about €60 (~US$70).

Documents Needed for Applying for a German Student Visa

1. Completed the German visa application form

2. Passport Copy

3. Two photographs

4. Admission Letter / Acceptance Letter by University / Letter showing that any German university has accepted you.

5. Degrees and Transcripts of the academic record.

6. For Degree Programs in the German Language, you need to provide a Certificate of German language proficiency or any proof that you intend to attend a language course in Germany.

7. International Applicant must provide proof that he/she has sufficient funds to support him/herself while living in Germany (The expenses are about €8,700 per year, which is roughly US$10,250)

8. Applicant must provide the Health Insurance Certificate (Must be purchased health insurance in advance)

9. Applicant must provide the certificate / any other document of the authenticity of documents that he/she submitted

Important Note:

1. There are different requirements for each country's embassy; the applicant may need to prove that he/she has no criminal record in their home country.

2. For the proof of sufficient funds, the international applicant needs to deposit the sufficient funds according to the German Embassy requirement in the German Blocked Bank Account as a security that they have enough money/funds to support their study and cover the living expenses in Germany. The applicant can only withdraw the money after arrival in Germany.

3. If the applicant has planned to study in Germany for more than 90- days, he/she may need to apply for a national visa instead of a Schengen visa, as it only allows him to stay in Germany for three months.

4. Along with a German Student Visa, the applicant must apply for a German Residence permit on arrival.

How to Apply for a  Student Visa in Germany?

The German student visa application process can be confusing for many international students. The procedures are different from country to country, but you can have a general overview of the main steps you need to go through below:

1. Locate The Closest German Embassy or Consulate. You can use Google to search for an embassy or a consulate near you, in your country (or another country close to you) to get more information about the requirements and setting up a visa appointment. All official German missions in other countries have an official website, physical address, and contact information.

2. Review The Requirements and Procedures. Once you find the German embassy website, you go to the student visa sections to review your country's specific requirements and the procedures to set up a visa appointment. Make sure you carefully review all the information provided (especially the documents you need to have) before you set up a visa appointment.

3. Set Up A Visa Appointment. When you’re ready, you should set up a visa appointment by following the steps described on the official website of the German embassy in your country. In some countries, you should apply for your visa appointment a few weeks ahead as that particular embassy could have many visa applications, and they could take longer to get to you. Timing is important. Sometimes, all student visa interview slots can be taken, so make sure you act fast.

4. Have All Of The Visa Application Documents Ready. Once your visa appointment date is confirmed, you should double-check your documents to ensure you have everything together. You can do this yourself and don’t need to pay outside consultants or agencies to apply for you.

5. Prepare For Your Visa Interview. You should pay the visa application fee (€60.00 – €75.00) and have the payment confirmation with you at the time of your visa interview. This fee is non-refundable if your visa is rejected. You need to verify the exchange rate of your country’s currency and pay the exact amount. You should prepare yourself in advance for your interview. After the interview is done, you will get the official answer on whether your visa has been approved or rejected.

How to Get a Student Residence Permit in Germany?

1. Find your permanent house. You must find permanent accommodation in the first week of your arrival in Germany with a visa for studies.

2. Register at the Resident’s Office. Immediately after this, you must register a living address at the Resident’s Office. Upon registration, you’ll receive the confirmation on registration “Meldebescheinigung.”

Required documents to register in Germany as an international student are:

a) Your valid national passport or national ID card. It must show you have a valid visa if you’re a visa-regime citizen.

b) Rental contract.

c) Letter confirming your living address. Issued by your landlord of the place you’ve rented.

3. Enroll in studies. You have to officially enroll at the university to be able to participate in studies and get access to university resources. This has to be done within the enrollment period, within the deadline announced to you in the letter of admission.

This process, known as matriculation, is completed by submitting a list of documents at the student’s affairs office, “Studentensekretariat” of the university where you’ll be studying. Additionally, you’ll have to pay a semester fee before getting the ID and password and, lastly, the ID card as a student.

4. Apply for a residence permit for studies. As you’ve been registered in studies, you must get your visa extension by applying for a residence permit for studies as the local Foreigner’s Authority “Einwohnermeldeamt.”

Required Documents to Apply for a Residence Permit

1. Duly completed application form for a residence permit. The original name ‘Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels’.

2. Your national passport/national ID card. It must show you have a valid entry visa if you’ve entered with one.

3. Documents showing your permanent address in Germany.

4. Confirmation of registration.

5. Rental contract.

6. Letter from the landlord confirming your permanent address.

7. Recent passport-type photographs.

8. Proof of financial subsistence. (Send the same evidence you provided when applied for the visa).

9. Proof of being admitted to studies. (e.g., certificate of enrollment, confirmation of admission, or evidence of conditional admission in studies.)

10. Money to pay the application fee. The cost of applying is 56-100 euros for first-time applications and 49-96 euros for an extension of the residence permit. For Turkish students, it’s 28.8 euros.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What is the processing time of a German student visa? 
Up to 25 days

2. How much bank balance is required for a German study visa?
As of 2022, the amount you need in your blocked bank account before applying for a German student visa is €11,208.

3. When To Apply For a German Student Visa
The best time to apply for a German student visa is immediately after receiving the university letter of admission and securing the necessary funds to live and study in Germany.

4. Is IELTS required for Germany?
IELTS is required for courses taught in English in Germany. However, it is not mandatory since it is not an English-speaking country. 

5. Which university accepts 5.5 in Germany?
 | University Name | Minimum IELTS Band Score Requirement | QS Rankings 
 | Free University of Berlin | 5.5 | 127
 | Johannes Gutenberg University | 5.5 | 427
 | University of Bonn | 5.5 | 226
 | University of Duesseldorf | 5.5 | 751 800

Conclusion

International students planning to study in Germany should know the visa and residence permit requirements based on their nationality. While EU/EEA citizens have certain exemptions, non-EU/EEA students must navigate a comprehensive application process. This process involves obtaining an admission letter, applying for a student visa, and a residence permit. Detailed documentation and careful adherence to procedures are essential for a successful application. Additionally, students must meet financial and accommodation requirements, making Germany an attractive destination for high-quality education with a well-defined application process.