Germany Student Visa

Germany offers good quality education to international students. Its globally ranked universities offer various courses, degrees, and scholarships, promising high employability worldwide. Germany is also known for its rich culture and affordable cost of living and education. It is a popular destination for international students.

Types of Student Visas for International Students and their Validity

Non-EU or non-EEA students need to apply for one of the following types of German student visa depending upon the course selected by them:

• Student Visa/National Visa: It is the most popular type of German student visa for students who a German university has accepted. It is valid for the first three months, and the student will have to apply for a Residence Permit before the expiration of the Student Visa to stay for over three months.
• German Student Applicant Visa: This visa is a short-term visa for students who have not yet been granted admission to a German university. This visa allows the students to visit university campuses in person and make better judgments. The visa is only valid for three months, but upon acceptance to a German university, the student can extend their visa by six months.
• German Language Course Visa: This visa is available to international students who are looking to study a German language course from Germany. The validity of this visa is up to 1 year.
• Student Schengen Visa: This is a less popular approach for international students. This visa is only valid for three months and cannot be extended. This visa might be a good option for international students taking short-term language/art courses.

It is crucial to apply for the correct type of visa. Suppose an applicant tries to study while on a tourist visa; they will be required to leave the country as soon as their visa expires. Also, visa conversion is not a possibility while in Germany.

Who Needs to Apply for the German Student Visa?

Visas are not required for study visits to Germany in the case of citizens of the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland; Australia, Canada, Israel; Japan, New Zealand; Republic of Korea; USA, UK; Andorra; Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco, and San Marino. Students from all other nations require a visa to study in the country.

Cost of German Visas

The cost of applying for a German visa depends upon the type of visa being applied for. The cost can vary anywhere from 60 euros to 80 euros. The application fees for the various visa categories are shown in the table below:

Visa Type	Fee
Student Visa	€75
Student Applicant Visa	€60
Language Course Visa	€75
Student Schengen Visa	€80

Remember: The visa fee is non-refundable, and the applicant will not get their money back if they are denied the visa.

Steps to Applying for a German Student Visa

There are certain prerequisites to applying for a German Student Visa, which must be fulfilled before moving forward with the visa process. Below are the general steps to be followed while applying for a German visa for studying:

Applying to a German University

An international student needs to first apply for admission to a German university of their choice. Once the student receives the acceptance letter allowing them to study at a German university, they can proceed with the application process, which is the most tedious and time-consuming part of the process.

German language proficiency

German is a widely spoken language in the country. The international student is expected to have at least basic German language knowledge in order to stay in Germany. English is not a popular language in Germany, unlike many other countries. There are German proficiency tests that the student is required to take to prove their fluency in the German language. They can take either of the following certificates:

• DSH Certificate (Level 2-above).
• TestDaF Certificate (Minimum 4 points in 4 of its sections).
• GDS Certificate (C2 Level-above).
• Language Certificate of the Education Ministers’ Conference (Level 2 with C2 in each section).

Financial resources to cover up the costs

An International student needs to show that they have adequate financial support to sustain them for the duration of their course. The proof has to be included with the visa application. The best way to do this is to have a blocked bank account, although there are other ways to show proof of funds, such as by including the income documents of a family member. Students need to show that they have at least 11,208 euros in their blocked account to cover their expenses for the first year.

Applying for health insurance

Every individual in Germany must have health coverage - be it a German citizen, student, or visitor. That being said, an international student must get health insurance in Germany. Based on eligibility, they can choose between public and private health insurance. The coverage should be good for the duration of the course. One of Germany's most popular private health insurance plans is EDUCARE24 by the health insurance company DR WALTER.

English language proficiency

Although German is the widely used language in Germany, most degree courses are offered in English, which makes it important for students to prove their proficiency in English. This can be done by taking any of the popular English proficiency tests, such as the TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge English Proficiency test.

Applying for the German Visa

After completing the above steps and collecting the required documents, non-EU and non-EEA international students can apply for a German student visa by visiting their local embassy or consulate. The time and specific requirements can be checked on their specific website. The visa application, which can be obtained from the local embassy's website, must be filled in and submitted with all the documents during the interview. When applying for a visa, they must also pay the necessary visa fee.

Remember: The international students are encouraged to apply for the visa at least three months before their intended arrival in Germany because of the time taken to process the applications.

Documents Required to Apply for German Student Visa

1. Visa application form - filled out in entirety and signed
2. A valid passport
3. 2 copies of the passport - A4 size. In case the applicant has an expired passport, that needs to be submitted along with the current valid passport
4. Two recent biometric portrait photographs, with a neutral gray color as the background and 80% face area
5. Birth certificate
6. Marriage certificate/child certificate - if applicable
7. Copies of any previous German visas - if applicable
8. Copy of university acceptance letter confirming the course admission or conditional admission letter
9. Previous academic qualifications - translated if needed, which includes original school leaving certificate and college degrees (if applying for graduate courses)
10. Curriculum vitae mentioning previous internships or work experiences
11. Proof of financial resources
12. Proof of health insurance coverage
13. German Higher Education Entrance Qualification or HZB requirements fulfilled based upon the course being enrolled in
14. Motivational letter
15. Proof of German language proficiency
16. Proof of English language proficiency
17. Proof of payment of visa application fee

NOTE: The necessary documentation may change based on each person's circumstances. For further details and specific requirements, students should check with the German embassy or consulate in their nation or the official German Visa website.

Attending Visa Interview

At this point, the applicant and the consular officer meet face-to-face. Applicants are required to bring all supporting documentation to the interview. Both application- and personally-related questions may be asked. The consular officer may inquire about the following subject:

• Choice of continuing education in Germany
• Understanding of Germany
• Details regarding upcoming research projects in Germany
• Present academic standing and proficiency level
• Future and present financial situation Common knowledge regarding the area of study
• Place to Stay in Germany
• Relationships with Europeans and German residents
• Vacations and breaks from school
• Future plans

Following the interview, the consular officer will determine whether the applicant meets all requirements and is eligible to enter the nation.

Waiting for the Decision

Individuals will have to wait for the outcome of their visa application after attending the interview. If the decision is rejected, they can contest it for good cause. If approved, they could arrange to go to Germany.

Upon arrival in Germany, students must schedule an appointment and apply for a student resident permit at the residents' registration office.

Steps to be Taken to Extend the Stay in Germany

The German student visa is valid for only three months. To stay in Germany for over three months, the international student must apply for a Residence Permit. International students cannot stay beyond the expiry of their student visas. The student should obtain the Residence Permit before the Student Visa expires. The cost of residence permit issuance is €110. Steps needed to receive a residence permit in Germany:

• Looking for permanent accommodation in Germany: Upon arrival in Germany, the international student has to find a permanent residence and obtain proof of the same. It can be an apartment lease or a flatshare with the student's name on the lease.
• Open a German bank account: The international student also has to open a bank account in Germany and transfer the necessary funds there. The bank statement is used as proof of financial stability in many places.
• Registering the address at the Resident's Registration Office: The next step is to obtain the Confirmation of Registration upon registering with the Resident's Office. This process must be repeated if the student moves to a different accommodation.
• Obtain German Student Health Insurance: If a student is under 30 years old, they must obtain Public (statutory) health insurance; if they are over 30, they must obtain Private health insurance.
• Enroll at the Student's Affairs Office: The student then has to enroll in the university they had chosen and start their program to obtain an enrollment certificate. They will be required to pay their fee at this point. This enrolment is done at the individual university's Student Affairs Office.
• Apply for Temporary Residence Permit: The student can then finally apply at the Foreigner's Authority to receive their Temporary Residence Permit, which is usually valid for the duration of the course.
• Extension of the Residence Permit: In case the student is unable to complete their course before the expiration of the residence permit, they will need to apply for an extension of the Residence Permit. The student has to get the extension approved before the expiration of the current Residence Permit. It will cost €100.

Working While Studying in Germany

During the academic year, international students from EU member states such as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland can work up to 20 hours per week. International students from all other countries cannot work more than 120 full days or 240 half days a year.

After completing the course, international students can choose to stay and work in Germany by applying for a work permit. They must apply to the Federal Employment Agency and the Foreigners' Authority to get a work visa, which is usually valid for three years.

Some Things to Remember

• The international students have to ensure they have taken all the prerequisite courses as required by the German university they are choosing to study in.
• All important documents listed in the checklist must be produced during the visa interview, or else the applicant can be denied a visa.
• The visa application process needs to be started at least three months before the start of the course.
• Passports with spill marks, torn, burnt, or soiled pages will be rejected.
• The students must re-enroll in their college at the beginning of each new semester; otherwise, they will be removed from the student register.
• Time taken to process a German Student Visa can be anywhere from 1-3 months, though other short-term visas are processed much quicker, in a matter of couple weeks at the most.
• During the visa interview, there is a small round of discussion in the German language to check for German proficiency.
• If the applicant is denied a visa, they will be given a reason for denial.