Germany is a higher education paradise for national as well as international students. From the University of Munich and Heidelberg University to the University of Berlin and the University of Freiburg, Germany has some of the most prestigious & sought out universities in the world. Every year lakhs of students from around the world choose Germany to pursue their higher education. To study in Germany, one must need to obtain a Germany student visa. In the following article, we shall let you everything you need to know before applying for the Germany student visa.
Eligibility:
If your study lasts for up to 3 months, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa. It is a short term visa that allows its holder to circulate in the Schengen area only.
And if your study lasts for more than 3 months, you will have to apply for a German student visa.
There are three types of Germany student visas. They are as follows:
- German Student Visa: It is the standard student visa for international students who are looking forward to studying full-time courses in accredited German Universities.
- German Student Applicant Visa: If you need to be in Germany to apply for the university admission in person, then you will have to apply for the applicant visa.
- German Language Course Visa: You will need this to study for a German language course in Germany.
Depending upon your case, you will have to apply for your Germany student visa.
Other eligibility criteria are as follows:
- You must have a valid passport.
- You must have enough funds to cover your living expenses & pay for tuition fees.
- You must have been accepted by an accredited German University.
- You must have proof of English or German language proficiency.
- You must not have any criminal charges against you.
- You promise to obey all the laws of the country.
Required Documents:
You will need the following documents to apply for the Germany student visa:
1. Valid Passport
2. Birth Certificate
3. Proof of Financial Resources
4. Proof of Acceptance
5. Evidence of Earlier Education
6. Certificate of German or English Language Proficiency
7. Student Health Insurance Cover
The details of all these documents are given below:
1. Valid Passport:
You must have a valid passport before you begin to apply for the Germany student visa. A valid passport is one of the most important requirements before applying for an international visa for any country. You must also have up to 3 colored passport size photographs in a required format.
2. Birth Certificate:
You must have your birth certificate with you. Or if you are married or have children, then you must also provide your marriage certificate & the birth certificate of your children.
3. Proof of Financial Resources:
You must provide proof of financial resources by any of the following ways:
- €10,236 deposit confirmation at a German blocked bank account.
- Scholarships awarding certificate/letter.
- Bank guarantee issued by a recognized German bank.
- Letter of commitment & evidence of your parent’s income records & financial assets.
Please note that to increase your chances of getting the Germany student visa, you should use a blocked account as proof of financial resources.
4. Proof of Acceptance:
You must provide proof of acceptance into an accredited school or university in Germany. Without this document, you can not apply for a Germany student visa.
5. Evidence of Earlier Education:
You must also provide proof of your earlier education by submitting the copies of all the educational programs that you have taken so far. It may include transcripts, certificates, results, etc.
6. Certificate of German or English Language Proficiency:
If the school asks you to have a basic level proficiency in German to be eligible to apply for the program, you must submit the relevant score.
In general, almost every international student is required to submit an English Language Test, such as IELTS & TOEFL to prove their command over the English language.
7. Student Health Insurance Fee:
Germany requires all the students in the country to have health insurance, including foreign nationals. It is also one of the major requirements to enroll for any program in any German university.
How to apply?
The Application Process for the Germany student visa is different from state to state. However, below you can find a general overview of the same.
Step 1: Locate your closest German embassy or consulate. The offices are generally available in the major cities. In India, the German Embassy is in New Delhi & consulate offices are in Chennai, Goa, Mumbai, & Calcutta.
Step 2: Go to the German Embassy website & carefully review all the information, documents required, eligibility requirements, & other such things.
Step 3: Once cleared, set up a visa appointment.
Step 4: Get all the documents ready. Double-check all the documents. Please be sure that you have everything which is required to apply for hire Germany student visa.
Step 5: Pay a non-refundable application fee of €60-75.
What happens after you apply?
After you apply for your Germany student visa, you are required to appear for an interview in your nearest embassy or consulate office.
The interview questions are based on the following matter:
- Knowledge about Germany.
- Choosing Germany as your study destination.
- Current & Future Financial status.
- Plans post your study.
- Common information about the study field.
- Accommodation in Germany.
- Relationship with people you will be living in Germany.
Your interview plays a very crucial role in deciding whether you will be granted a Germany student visa or not. So make sure you prepare well.
At the end of the interview, the interviewer will tell you the official answer, whether you have been accepted or rejected for the Germany student visa.
The visa processing time on an average is 25 days. But it is recommended you apply right after you receive your confirmation of acceptance from your designated learning institution.
Arriving in Germany:
After your visa is processed, you can schedule your visit to Germany. After you land in the airport, you will have to pass through the immigration clearance. The border officers will check all your documents again, so make sure you carry all of them in your carry-on baggage.
If satisfied, they will approve & stamp your passport. You’re then free to enter Germany.
Also, make sure that you apply for your residence permit within 7 days of landing in Germany. For this, you will have to find a permanent house where you will be staying. Then you will have to register your living address at the local resident’s office.
Germany is among the most popular educational destinations for international students. With the finest quality of education and an opportunity to improve academically during and after the studies, studying from Germany will give you an excellent prospect on the Global labor market.
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