If you are a foreigner, and have been granted a letter of admission, you may be eligible for a German student visa. You can study at a German university full-time or in preparatory courses before you apply for a student visa. Foundation course.
What are the study types you can follow with a German student visa?
If you are planning to study any of these types of studies, a German student visa may be granted.
- Study full-time in academic fields
- German language courses are available for students.
- The state preparatory college "Studienkolleg" You will need to take this course if your school-leaving certificate doesn't recognize Germany. Once completing the course, you'll be sitting the test "Feststellungsprufung". You will receive a certificate, also known as an university entrance qualification, if you pass the test. You will be eligible to apply for university admissions in Germany with this certificate.
- Propaedeutic course
- Prerequisite internship
How to apply for a German Student Visa
You can apply for a German student visa in your country at the German consulate, embassy, or other intermediary application agencies. Your application will be evaluated based on your information and any supporting documents. These documents must be sent in originals along with two photocopies.
Below is a list of documents required to apply for a German Student Visa.
- Two completed forms for national visa applications.
- Valid passport. (Read passport requirements)
- Two recent biometric portrait photos. (Please refer to our photo requirements page for more information.
- You must provide proof of admission to a German educational institution. (Send any one of the following).
- University admission letter "Zulassungsbescheinigung".
- A letter of admission to a foundation course. A Studienkolleg issues the letter.
- Let me know if you are interested in taking the propaedeutics course.
- Admission letter to a preparatory German Language Course
- German proficiency certificate. For German-only or mixed-language programs
- Entrance Examination for International Applicants to German Language Universities (DSH).
- Test of German as Foreign Language (TestDaF)
- Goethe Institute German Language Diploma
- German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs Level II (DSD).
- Documentation proving proficiency in English language. (For English- and mixed-language studies programs)
- TOEFL Test of English as an Foreign Language. Accepted results include PbT (paper-based) 550 points, CbT (213 Points) 213 Points, and IbT (77-90 Points).
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) German universities accept scores between 5 and 6.5.
- Certificates of education from the past that have been authenticated.
- German university admission qualification "Abitur" If you have studied abroad in Germany, please send the following documents. If not, please send the following documents.
- Recognize foreign academic qualifications. You must prove that you hold a German Abitur-qualifying qualification.
- Academic transcripts or records.
- Curriculum vitae. If possible, it should be accompanied by evidence of past and current internships and work experiences.
- Means of subsistence "Finanzieruungsnachweis". You must provide evidence that you have sufficient money to pay for living expenses, accommodation, and tuition. (Send any one of the following).
- Bank account blocked. Expatrio is the fastest and easiest way to open a German blocked account. Expatrio's blocked account is accepted by all German consulates and embassies around the globe. Learn how to open an Expatrio block account.
- Letter of commitment by a resident "Verpflichtungserklarung". Person living in Germany who has indicated that they will cover your accommodation and/or other living expenses while you are here.
- A parent must sign a letter of declaration. It must show that they will support you financially during your time here. You must also include the most recent 6 month bank statements.
- Scholarship awarding certificate. It should show your status as a recipient and the financial coverage you were granted by this scholarship.
- Student insurance. It must provide coverage of at least 30,000 EUR and be valid for at most 3 months. All German consulates around the world accept the tariff EDUCARE24 from DR-WALTER.
- Motivational letter. The reason you chose the university or program. Also, mention your plans and what these studies will do for your career.
- Certificate of marriage. If you are married, send this. If you are related, send this along with the birth certificate of any child.
- You must show proof that you have paid the German student visa application fees.
What is the minimum amount of bank balance required for a Germany student visa?
The amount that the German Embassy/Consulate requires to be deposited in the blocked bank account to apply for a student visa is EUR10332.
Is it possible to get a German student visa without a blocked account?
You can apply for a German study visa and receive it without having a bank account blocked.
- Submit documents from your parents to confirm their financial assets and income.
- A friend or family with a permanent home in Germany can guarantee that your living expenses will be covered.
- Presenting a notification of a scholarship award from a recognized institution.
If you do not meet any of these requirements, the blocked account will become a mandatory condition for obtaining a visa to study in Germany.
Germany Study Visa Fees
Students from abroad applying for a German student Visa are subject to certain fees. See the table below.
|
Category |
Visa Fee (Euro) |
|
Under 18-year-old applicants |
37.50 |
|
Candidates over 18 years of age |
75 |
What you can and cannot do with a valid German student visa?
You can travel to Germany as a student visa holder
- Request a student residence permit extension. If you have not completed your planned studies during the visa period, this is possible. You'll complete them in a reasonable amount of time.
- Part-time work is possible. Even if you work part-time at an academic institution, you can still work up to 120 days per year. Your studies should not be interrupted by your work.
- After graduation, you can apply for a residence permit to work. Only those who have completed their studies in Germany will be eligible for this type of residence permit. You can search for work or become self-employed for up to six months with this residence permit. While you search for a permanent job, you may be offered a temporary position.
You cannot enter Germany as a student visa holder.
- Find a job that is full-time. A job that requires you work 240 days per year is not possible. You cannot apply for a work permit as a student, despite this fact.
- Abandon study lessons. Failure to take part in study lessons could result in your eligibility being canceled to stay in Germany.
What is the maximum length of stay you can make in Germany with a student visa?
A German student visa will allow you to stay in Germany for 3 months. You will need to apply for a residence visa to study during this time. A residence permit will allow you to stay for a maximum of 2 years. Depending on how long your studies are, you may also extend your residence permit.
Steps to follow after arriving in Germany with a student visa
Before you can start your studies in Germany, there are a few things that you will need to do.
1. Permanent accommodation in Germany
You can find permanent accommodation in Germany soon after you arrive. A student residence, flatshare or apartment you rent on your own may be available. For many other occasions, proof of permanent residence will be required.
2. Get yourself covered by German health insurance 'Krankenversicherung'.
A health insurance policy is mandatory for all residents of the United States.
You don't need to have German statutory insurance if you are a citizen of a country that has an European Health Insurance Card. This account is for EU citizens and citizens of Bosnia-Herzegovina (Island, Israel, Liechtenstein), Morocco, North Macedonia (North Macedonia), Norway, Switzerland and Tunisia. The EHIC also covers all medical treatment in Germany.
German insurance companies that cater to students are top-notch and can meet their needs. German insurance companies like DR-WALTER are well-known and highly recommended by international students. They are affordable and have tailored student packages like the EDUCARE24 tariff, which is a favorite among international students.
It is not possible to enrol at a German university without proof of insurance, private or public.
3. To get the certificate of enrollment, you must be a matriculated student.
Once you have found permanent housing, the next step is to enroll or matriculate in your studies at the student services office. Remember to complete this process within the timeframe set out in your admission letter. You won't be allowed to take the study exams or access the university's services if you don't have enrollment. A certificate of enrollment is also required for registration, application for a residence permit, or to receive discounts on leisure activities.
These documents are required to enrol in a German university for a foreigner.
- Valid passport. You must have a valid student visa.
- Let us know if you are interested in admission.
- Few people have taken passport photos in recent years.
- Students can get health insurance.
Applying does not automatically make you officially enrolled. A certificate of enrollment is issued initially as a temporary student identification until you receive your official student ID card. After receiving your student ID card via post, the process is complete when you have paid your semester contribution and any study fees. The semester contribution average is 250 euros and covers social services as well as the semester ticket to use the local public transport system.
Your Student ID card will include a unique ID account, an e-mail address and a password that can be used to log in to the education provider's server. This information will allow you to access the internal electronic materials as well as library resources of the same provider.
Notice: Each semester you will need to re-enrol. You will be exmatriculated and removed from the student list if you do not comply with this requirement.
4. A German bank can open a current account.
Next, you will need to open a Girokonto, a current bank account with a German bank. This is required in many situations, including paying rent, tuition fees, registration fee, or other bills. You will also need it to receive any salary or subsidy. It is usually free to open a bank account.
These documents are required to open a German student bank account.
- Valid passport for national.
- Confirmation of registration 'Meldebescheinigung'.
- Documentation proving student status in Germany (Any one of the following).
- Student registration certificate 'Immatrikulationsbescheinigung'.
- Let us know if you are interested in admission.
- Visa for students
5. Register your German living address at the "Einwohnermeldeamt". You will receive confirmation of your registration at the 'Meldebestatigung.
After you have found permanent housing, register your address at the Resident's Registration Office ("Einwohnermeldeamt") or at Citizen's Bureau ("Burgeramt") within one week. After completing the application you will receive the confirmation of registration "Meldebestatigung".
>> These are the documents that you will need to register your address in Germany for international students.
Notice: This process will be repeated each time you change your residence address in Germany.
6. To study at the Auslanderbehorde, you will need a residence permit.
Once you have received confirmation of registration, it is time to apply for a residence visa for your studies. You must have a valid student visa to apply for this residence permit.
