Requirements, documents, and tips for your German student visa application

• Foreign student who is a citizen of the European Union, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland: You don't need a visa or other documents to go and study in Germany. However, you must register with the local residents' registration office upon your arrival in Germany.

• Foreign student who is a citizen of a country that doesn't require a visa to enter: To find out if your home country is among those that don't need an entry visa, check the website of the Federal Foreign Office. These countries are currently listed (last updated May 2019):

• Andorra
• Australia
• Brazil
• El Salvador
• Israel
• Japan
• Canada
• Monaco
• San Marino
• South Korea
• United States

Students from the above-mentioned countries must register with the Ausländerbehörde (foreigners' registration office) and apply for a residence permit in Germany if they plan to study in Germany for more than three months.

However, we advise you to check with the German Diplomatic Mission in your home country well before your departure, as there are special rules, for example if you want to work directly after your studies in Germany. Finally, you also need to meet other conditions regarding documents or registration.

• Foreign student who is a citizen of a country subject to visa requirements for studying: All students from other countries need a visa. It's essential to apply for a visa in your home country, and we strongly recommend doing so as early as possible, because obtaining a visa can take several months.

For more information, contact the German embassy or consulate in your country. On the official website of the German Federal Foreign Office, you'll find the addresses of German diplomatic missions.

Documents Required for the Visa Application

There are 3 types of German student visas:

1. Language course visa: With this type of visa, you can apply to take language courses in Germany. However, you can't continue your studies in Germany after this course. If you plan to continue your studies in Germany, you must leave Germany before this visa expires and apply for a new student visa in your home country.

2. German visa for prospective students: This visa applies if you're not yet admitted to a German higher education institution, but you need to come to Germany to fulfill other admission conditions, i.e., take an exam, attend an interview, etc. This type of visa is only available in certain countries. So you must check if you can apply for this visa in your home country.

3. German student visa: If you intend to study in Germany, this is the standard student visa for all international students. The prerequisite is that you're admitted to a full-time study program at a German university (or "Hochschule" in German).

There are also students whose language level doesn't meet the requirements for studying at German universities, or students who plan to do their master's in Germany but whose bachelor's program was different from German universities. However, it's still possible to study in Germany. These students can also apply for the standard German student visa, but other certificates are required. The prerequisite is always the same: they must first be admitted to German higher education institutions. They also need to take certain specific exams and obtain the required certificates, with which they can enroll at German universities.

Visa Application Procedure

Step 1: Prepare the required documents for the visa application at least 6 weeks before the enrollment deadline at your German university.

To obtain the required documents, you should go to the German embassy or consulate in your country. These documents generally include, but are not limited to:

• Completed and signed national visa application form
• Your passport
• Your marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Your child's birth certificate (if applicable)
• Recent passport photos (up to 3)
• CV (curriculum vitae)
• Cover letter (why do you want to study in Germany?)
• Copies of previous German residence permits (if existing)
• A previous Schengen visa (if existing)
• A previous German residence permit (if existing)
• Proof of your educational background
• High school diploma
• Bachelor's or undergraduate degree (if you're applying for a master's or doctoral program)
• University entrance qualifications from your home country
• German or English language proficiency certificate
• A health insurance certificate
• One of the following proof of admission documents:
  • University admission proof: confirmation of admission to a higher education preparatory class "Studienkolleg".
  • Conditional admission confirmed (bedingter Zulassungsbescheid) and intensive language course (Intensiv-Sprachkurs)
  • Proof of payment for the language course
  • Confirmation of your participation from the language institution
• One of the following proof of financial resources documents:
  • Confirmation of a blocked account of 11,208€ for one year
  • Proof of relationship and proof of parents' income and financial resources
  • Letter of commitment/declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a person residing in Germany who will cover your expenses during your studies
  • A scholarship certificate: the amount of living expenses covered by your scholarship must be indicated
  • A bank guarantee issued by a recognized German bank

Step 2: Make an appointment online or by phone at the German embassy in your home country.

Step 3: Prepare for and attend the visa interview

Step 4: Obtain your German visa and book your flight to Germany!

We hope this article will be useful to everyone! If you have other questions regarding German student visas, don't hesitate to contact us! We're here to help, as always.

Conclusion

Applying for a German student visa isn't easy, because there are many steps and things to pay attention to. But we hope this article will help you fulfill all the requirements for obtaining a student visa and prepare well!