Germany Student Visa- Once you have agreed to obtain admission in one of the prestigious universities in Germany, the next step is to apply for a student visa. Many international students need to acquire a student visa in order to Study in Germany. This includes applicants within the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco, San Marino and Taiwan. The applicants would have to obtain a residence permit before entering the country. It is advisable to check the German Government website for more details.
Types of Germany Student Visa:
Students from the rest of the world including India and China need to obtain a student visa before entering Germany. There are two types of Student Visas to study in Germany:
- National Visa: If you have been accepted by one of the universities in Germany and wish to stay in the country for more than 90 days, you should apply for a National visa.
- Student Applicant Visa: If you have not yet been accepted into a program in a university in Germany or are still searching for a suitable program in Germany, you can apply for a student applicant visa which is valid for 3 months. Once you have been enrolled into a program, you can apply for the National visa.
- Language Course Visa: This type of visa is suitable for those students who wish to learn German in Germany.
In addition to one of these Germany Student Visa, you will have to obtain a residence permit in order to study in Germany.
Residence Permit
Once you have entered the country, you will have to register with the nearest Alien Registration Office and apply for a residence permit within two weeks of your arrival. The residence permit has a validity period of 2 years and can be extended if required. The cost of a residence permit is €110 or US$120. If you need to renew the permit, you will have to pay about €80 or US$ 87.
The documents required for a residence permit are similar to those needed for the visa. Here is a checklist of documents required for the residence permit:
- Private or public health insurance details
- Offer letter/Certificate of Enrolment (COE) from a German University
- Proof of adequate funds
- Valid passport
- Current visa, if you possess one
- Health certificate, if applicable
- Rent agreement, if applicable
- Residence permit fee (check the official website for updated figures)
- Proof of language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS scores for English medium courses and TestDaf or DSH scores for courses taught in German)
Required Documents for Germany Student Visa Application
Here is a checklist of documents required for the Germany Student Visa application process. Some of them may also be required for the residence permit:
- Completely filled and signed application form
- Valid passport
- Two recent photographs
- Certificate of Enrolment (COE)/Offer letter from a German university
- Transcripts or documents as proof of academic records
- Certificate of German language proficiency, if you wish to study a course with German as the medium of instruction
- Proof of adequate funds to convince the officials that you can support yourself during your stay in Germany (€8,700 or approximately US$9,390 per the calendar year)
- Health Insurance Certificate
- Declaration stating that the submitted documents are authentic and valid
When to Apply?
While applying for a Germany student visa to study in Germany, it is advisable to apply in advance to avoid last minute problems or hassles. You can apply for the student visa three months before entering the country by contacting the nearest German Embassy or consulate in your country of origin (in which you reside).
Language Requirements
Most degree programs in Germany are taught in German. Hence, if you wish to apply for a degree course in Germany, you will have to submit scores of German language proficiency such as the TestDaF (Test of German as a Foreign Language) or DSH (German Language University Entrance Examination for Foreign Applicants). You can take the TestDaF in your country of origin before you move to Germany. This test is offered in more than 90 countries in the world and is administered 6 times throughout the year. Kindly visit the TestDaF website for more details regarding fees, testing centres, application procedures, etc.
The DSH exam can only be taken in Germany. Several universities in Germany offer this exam. For more details about this exam, check with the International Office at your university.
In case you have enrolled for an international degree or wish to pursue a Master’s degree, you will not have to show proof of your proficiency in German. Instead, you might be required to show your IELTS or TOEFL scores.
Financial Tips
In order to study in Germany, you will have to prove that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself during your stay in Germany. Here are a few tips to aid you in this process:
- Your parents can sponsor you and they would have to submit relevant documents as proof of their income and financial assets.
- A relative or friend who is a citizen of Germany can act as a guarantor and cover your educational expenses.
- You could deposit a security payment into a blocked account to ensure that you have the required financial resources.
- You could show your scholarship notification received from a German university.