Germany is continually increasing its fame among overseas students specifically after the nation eliminated tuition fees for higher studies. Many of the aspiring study abroad candidates are evidently keen to find out the Germany Student Visa requirements.
You will receive a Letter of Acceptance after you are accepted at a University in Germany. After receiving this letter you can start your Germany Student Visa Application Process.
Germany Student Visa Categories
The Germany Study Visa has 3 major categories:
Student Applicant Visa
You will require the Student Applicant Visa for arriving in Germany if you are yet to be accepted by a University. This Visa is suitable for you if you wish to visit campuses in Germany and check out study programs.
The validity of the Student Applicant Visa is 3 months and its processing requires a couple of months. It can be extended for a maximum of 6 months which is optional.
Student Visa
You will require the Germany Student Visa if you have been accepted for a Degree Program or Foundation Course in Germany. The validity of this Visa is also 3 months after arrival in Germany. After 3 months you must apply for the Residence Permit for continuing your studies. It is the most popular category of Study Visas in Germany.
Language Course Visa
If you wish to arrive in Germany for taking a course in the German language, you will require this Visa. The maximum validity of the Language Course Visa is 1 year.
Where and When to apply for the Germany Student Visa?
You must submit an application for the Germany Student Visa at the nearest Consulate or Embassy of Germany in your nation. You have to first confirm the dates available on the website of the Embassy in your nation. Later, you have to accordingly book an appointment for the Visa Interview.
It is advisable that you file an application for the German Student Visa a minimum of 3 months prior to your date of departure. The processing times for the Visa application can extend for up to 25 days.
Once you provide the necessary documents, they will be sent for approval to your University’s Immigration Office. The documents will then be returned to the Consulate or Embassy in your nation.
Visa Application Tips:
- You have the chance to extend your Residence Permit for up to 3 years after completion of your study program in Germany. You can search for jobs in your area of study to work in Germany during this period.
- You will also have to demonstrate your skills in the German language and obtain health insurance. Before your arrival in Germany, you will have to begin to learn German specifically because in all cities in Germany English is not the widely spoken language.
Language requirements
You will require a minimum of basic skills in the German language if you are applying for a long-term Visa. Thus, you will have to offer results from any of the following tests:
- Goethe Institute’s A1 certificate
- KNEC’s KCSE certificate
- Test DAF
The test results must not be older than 48 months.
Documents essential for a German Student Visa
You will have to provide the following documents along with your Germany Study Visa application:
- A Certificate that specified your coverage for health insurance which is also required while enrolling at the University.
- Evidence of monetary resources for supporting your education which is roughly Euros 10, 236 annually
- Transcript of certificates that specify your previous qualifications, achievements, and academic background
- Certificate for proficiency in the German language if you are enrolling in a program with German as a medium of instruction
- Completely filled Visa application form
- An authentic passport
- Fee for Visa application
- 2 Photographs
- Admission Letter from the University
- Authenticity declaration for all the documents
The above list is not exhaustive. You may require additional documents based on your citizenship and the Visa category for which you are applying.
German Residence Permit Application Conditions
You will require the Residence Permit after arriving in Germany. Citizens of EEA/EU, Lichtenstein, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland do not require a Residence Permit. Citizens of all other nations who wish to study in Germany for more than 3 months must apply for the Residence Permit.
Some of the documents that are needed for the Residence Permit in Germany are as follows:
- Registration confirmation from the Registration Office for Residents
- Confirmation of coverage for health insurance
- ID for students from the University in Germany
