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Last Updated: December 17, 2023

Germany Student Visa

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

Choosing a Course

Universities in Germany offer a lot of courses and degrees. The students can choose from the following options:

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: It is very important to apply for the right type of visa. In case the 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. To study in the country, students from all other nations require a visa.

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 TypeFee
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 and it is important that they 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 move forward with their application process. This is the most tedious part of the application process and the most time-consuming one.

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 to be able 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:

Financial resources to cover up the costs

An international student needs to show that they have adequate financial support to be able 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 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 needs to get health insurance in Germany. They can choose between public health insurance and private health insurance based on eligibility. The coverage should be good for the duration of the course. One of the most popular private health insurance plans in Germany is EDUCARE24 by the health insurance company DR- WALTER.

English language proficiency

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

Applying for the German Visa

After completing the above steps and collecting the required documents mentioned below, non-EU and non-EEA international students can apply for a German student visa by visiting their local German 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, needs to be filled in its entirety and submitted with all the documents at the time of 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 3 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. It is required of applicants 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: Following the interview, the consular officer will determine whether or not the applicant satisfies 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 have the right to contest it for good cause. If approved, they could arrange to go to Germany.

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

Steps to be Taken to Extend the Stay in Germany

The Germany Student Visa is valid only for 3 months. To stay in Germany for more than the allotted 3 months, the international student has to apply for a Residence Permit. The international student cannot stay beyond the expiry of the Student Visa. The Residence Permit should be obtained by the student before the Student Visa expires. The cost of residence permit issuance is €110. Steps needed to receive a residence permit in Germany:

Working While Studying in Germany

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

After completion of the course, international students can choose to stay and work in Germany by applying for a work permit. They will have to apply to the Federal Employment Agency and the Foreigners' Authority to get a work visa which is usually valid for 3 years.

Some Things to Remember




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