Not everyone needs a German Student Visa to study in Germany. Residents of the following countries are entitled to visa-free travel to Germany for study purposes:

• EEA/EU citizens
• Australia
• Andorra
• Brazil
• Canada
• El Salvador
• Honduras
• Israel
• Japan
• Monaco
• New Zealand
• San Marino
• Switzerland
• United States
• South Korea

If your country of residence is not mentioned above, then you will need a visa to study in Germany.

Depending on the purpose of your visit, you need to apply for the appropriate visa to Germany. If the purpose of your visit to Germany is educational and long-term, you are not entitled to the Short-term/Schengen visa (C Visa). However, you will have to apply for the Germany National Visa (D Visa), which is long-term.

In addition, depending on the circumstances of your study programme, you should keep in mind that there are three types of German Student Visa:

• Language Course Visa. German Language Courses lasting from 3 months to 1 year.
• Student Applicant Visa. If you still haven’t gotten a formal admission letter from the university you applied to or you need to enter entrance examinations offered by the university. It is valid for 3 months with the possibility of extending to 6 months.
• Student Visa. This is a long-term visa if you have been accepted to a German university. Keep in mind to register with the Alien Registration Office in the German city you’re residing within two weeks of your arrival so you can obtain your Residence Permit.

Which Are the German Student Visa Requirements?

In order to obtain a German student visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• Two filled out and signed national visa forms.
• Your valid national passport.
• Two photocopies of your passport.
• Birth certificate.
• Marriage certificate (if married).
• Child’s certificate (if you have children).
• Two recently taken biometric portrait photographs.
• Photocopies of previous German residence titles. (If you have been to Germany before).
• Previous Schengen Visa.
• Previous Resident Permit.
• Proof of Financial Resources. You should meet the financial requirements in order to be granted your German student visa. Depending on your circumstances, you should have one of the following:
  • Blocked Bank Account. You can open a blocked bank account online through Fintiba, accepted by German Embassies and Consulates throughout the world.
  • Letter of commitment. You can get this by a person living in Germany who shows they will be covering your accommodation or other living costs.
  • Letter of declaration. Through this your parents show they will be providing you with financial support during your stay.
  • Scholarship certificate. If you have a scholarship award, the certificate should show what the scholarship will cover and that you are the receiver of that financial coverage.
• Proof of Admission (it can be one of the following).
  • University admission letter.
  • Letter of admission in foundation/propaedeutic/German language course.
• Original certificates of previous education.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Motivational Letter. Explain why you have chosen this degree programme as well as your future plans.
• Travel Health Insurance. (covering the period from your departure to the date of enrolment at the German university – approx. 3 months).
• Proof you have paid the visa application fee.
• Proof of German language proficiency. (For German or mixed-language programmes).
• Proof of English language proficiency. (For English or mixed-language programmes).

* Please note that the German Embassies and Consulates reserve the right to ask for additional documents or the verification of certificates.

How to Apply for the Germany Student Visa?

The application process is pretty simple if you have all the required documents. However, you should make sure to go prepared.

Here’s how to apply for the Germany Student Visa:

• Go to the German Embassy or Consulate in your country. Locate the German Embassy in your country and go there to submit your application. You should go there and ask for more information on the application process and set up an appointment.

If there is no German Embassy in your country, then go to the German Embassy/Consulate in a neighbouring country or application centre that the German authorities have outsourced the visa applications to.

• Review all the required documents. Before you go to your appointment, make sure you have all the documents ready. You can find specific document requirements for your country in the official websites of German Embassies.
• Prepare for the visa interview. Make sure you prepare for the German student visa interview by looking up common interview questions online. In addition, you should have the visa application fee payment confirmation with you at the time of the interview.

What’s the Processing Time for a German Student Visa?

The processing time for a German student visa can usually take up to 25 days. However, it also depends on the German Embassy as well as the country you’re applying from. In some instances, it may also take up to 6-12 weeks, with the longest processing time being 3 months.

When Should I Apply for My German Student Visa?

You should apply for your German student visa as early as possible. However, you should first get acquainted with the following rule of the German Embassy:

Up until recently, you could submit an application as early as 3 months before you’re set to travel to Germany. As of the first Sunday of February 2020, you can submit your application 6 months in advance of a trip.

So, with this much time at your disposal, make sure you apply as soon as possible, since there can be no interview slots left and you don’t want to miss your trip.

How Much Is the German Student Visa Fee?

The German student visa fee is €75 and must be paid by a bank transfer. Cheques or credit cards are not accepted. The money order must be in the name of the German Embassy/Consulate in your home country and not older than two months.

Keep in mind, however, that you will not get reimbursed if your visa gets rejected.

How to Get My Student Residence Permit in Germany Once I Arrive?

Getting your Student Residence Permit is an essential step once you arrive in Germany. Make sure to go through the following steps carefully:

• Register your address in Germany. Register your address with the local residents registration office closest to your home in Germany. Afterwards, you’ll receive the confirmation of registration “Meldebescheinigung”.
• Set an appointment with the Immigration Authorities closest to you. When you go to set an appointment, you should acquire an application form.
• Bring the necessary documents on the day of the interview. The documents you will be needing on the day of the interview are:
  • Standard required documents for a student residence permit. (Including the filled out application form and registration confirmation letter).
  • Proof of admission/enrollment in your study programme.
  • Original certificates of earlier education.
  • Registered address in Germany.
  • Proof of Health insurance.
  • Proof of financial means (any of the following):
    • Blocked bank account
    • Letter of Commitment
    • Scholarship Award.
  • Proof of English/German proficiency (Depending on your degree programme).
  • Confirmation you have paid the German Residence Permit in Germany fee.

What Am I Allowed to Do With My Temporary Student Residence Permit?

As an undergraduate, graduate, or vocational degree student, there are a few things you should know when it comes to what the student residence permit entitles you to do.

Here’s what you are eligible to do with regards to your student residence permit:

• Extend your student residence permit. German authorities usually give student residence permits for the duration of your study programme. However, if you find it necessary to extend it due to your study programme taking longer, you should apply for an extension before your permit expires. The extension fees are usually lower in comparison to when you first apply.
• Work during your study programme. You are allowed to work full time for 120 days or part-time for 240 days for the duration of your programme. However, you are not allowed to sign long-term contracts.
• Stay in Germany after you finish your programme. You can apply to extend your permit after you finish your programme for up to 18 months. This should be done if you want to find a job in Germany during that period. If you do find a job, you must apply for a German Employment Residence Permit.