Did you know that Germany is one of the countries where many students around the world go to study? The educational system in Germany is one of the best and it offers many options. You can find universities about almost every possible degree that you might want to pursue.
If you are looking forward to studying in Germany one day then you might also require a Germany student visa. In this article, we will cover up everything you need to know about German student visas.
Who needs a Germany student visa?
Most citizens from countries around the world would need a visa in order to travel to Germany, however, there are also countries that are visa-exempt that do not need one.
Such countries are:
- EEA countries
- EU countries
- Australia
- Andorra
- Brazil
- Canada
- El Salvador
- Honduras
- Israel
- Japan
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- San Marino
- Switzerland
- United States
- South Korea
Germany student visa types
There are two types of German student visas, depending on your purpose.
They are:
- Germany student applicant visa
- Germany student visa
Germany student applicant visa
You must register for a Germany Applicant Visa if you have enrolled in a program and received a confirmation but have not yet obtained formal acceptance.
This visa is suitable for people who need to undertake admission examinations for universities in Germany to which they have applied. The validity of this visa is three months and can be extended for another six months. You should apply at your country’s German Consulate or Embassy.
Germany student visa
You should request for a German student visa if you’ve already obtained your admission form from the educational institution where you applied.
You will not be able to acquire a German Student Visa if you have not been accepted to any institution
The validity of this visa is usually more than three months. If you need to remain for a longer period of time, you should request for a Germany Student Residence Permit.
When should I apply for a student visa in Germany?
To minimize any potential complications, the Germany Student Visa application, including all required papers, must be filed at least eight weeks prior to the date of travel to Germany.
Where Do I Submit My Application for a Student Visa in Germany?
A Germany Student visa must be applied for at the Germany Embassy or Consulate in your country. Throughout the visa application procedure, your passport will be kept at the Embassy or Consulate where you applied.
Germany student visa application
The procedures you should take step by step in order to apply for a student visa in Germany are:
- Completion of the visa form
- Submission of the documents
- Scheduling and attending an interview
- German student visa fee
- Biometric data submission
- Processing time
Completion of the visa form
To begin the application process you must complete the application form of Germany student visa which can be found online at the official website. Make sure to answer every question sincerely. Lying in the answers will easily be detected and your application can get rejected so don’t do that.
Submission of the documents
The second step after completing the application form is submitting the required documents.
The general documents that are required are:
- Application form of the visa
- A valid travel document (passport)
- Civil status evidence – It can be a certificate of marriage, of birth or a ration card
- At least 2 passport size photos
- If you have had any other visas in the past then you must include those too
- Evidence of accommodation – It can a hotel reservation or evidence that you are staying at a relative
- Evidence that your health insurance is covered for the duration of your stay
- A letter of encouragement if you request a language course visa
- Your CV – It must include previous employment
- Evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses
For a Student applicant visa you will also need the following:
- Certificates of Completion from a Recognized School
- Verification of the application’s status
- A letter of acceptance into a preparatory program
- A school-leaving certificate known as “Abitur”
- German and English language proficiency evidence
- Evidence of previous education is required
- For a Germany student visa you will need:
- Acceptance letter
- Certifications of previous education
- A cover letter which should state why you choose that specific institution and program as well as studying schedule, and how these studies will help you advance your profession in the future
- If you are an international student then you will need to submit a TestDaf or DSH score for German programs while for English TOEFL or IELTS scores.
Scheduling and attending an interview
An important element that should not be skipped is the visa interview. To schedule one you should contact the embassy or consulate in your country. Remember to not be late for your interview.
When you attend it you will be asked a series of questions such as your travel intent and more. You will also need to submit every required document.
German student visa fee
All data will be uploaded into the German consulate’s online platform after the officials have verified your application.
A copy of the application will be sent to you. This procedure typically takes ten minutes on average. Please double-check that all of the information on the printed form is accurate before signing it.
A cost of €75 is required to obtain a student visa in Germany. You would be given a receipt after paying the money, which you must save in order to obtain your approved request.
Biometric data submission
Once you have finished everything then the last step is to provide your biometric data. Meaning that you will need to provide your fingerprints which will be scanned with a digital device.
Processing time
Now, all you have to do is be patient for the application to be processed. This can take a maximum of 12 weeks. Do know that during this period you might be asked to submit extra documentation.
Is it Possible to Work in Germany with German Study Visa?
If you hold a German study visa then you are permitted to work during your studies, although the amount of hours you can work is limited.
During the school year, residents of EU, EEA states and Switzerland are permitted to work in Germany for a total of 20 hrs per week.
Students from several other nations are also permitted to work, but only for a total of 120 full days or 240 partial days per year. It is not possible to carry over unused days to the following year.
Foreign students that have a residence permit and want to continue working in Germany after finishing their studies may extend their visa for up to 18 months if they find jobs in their profession.
