A suitable visa is required to pursue studies in Germany. This article emphasizes on the student visa information for entry into Germany.
Student Visa for Germany
Home to some of the world’s leading corporate houses - Mercedes, Porsche, Siemens, and BMW, Germany is a penchant for invention and innovation. The beautiful vineyards, historical architecture, and modern lifestyle give way for much more than just admiration for this charming destination. A strong economy holder on the globe, this spectacular nation has some of the best universities to gain education and knowledge. Working amongst the world-class professors and internationally acclaimed researchers, the experience of living in the ‘land of ideas’ is mesmerizing and simply unbelievable. So, if you have finally hooked your eyes on Germany as your dream study destination, you have gifted yourself a lifetime opportunity to develop and grow into an individual whose life revolves around challenges, techniques, and inspirations. Germany offers three types of visa to students, based on their course and duration of the course. As such, knowing the various types and how to obtain a German visa will be of utmost use, to simplify the whole process. Continue surfing.
Who Requires a Visa?
Entry to Germany requires a permit in the form of visa. However, citizens of countries and territories who are members of the Schengen acquis, the EU, and the EFTA do not require a visa to enter the territory of the EU member states, as long as the period of stay does not exceed 90 days. The following are the exempted countries:
Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Australia (including the Cocos Islands, Norfolk Island, Christmas Island), Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France (including French Guiana, French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, Martinique, New Caledonia, Réunion, St Pierre and Miquelon), Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand (including the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau), Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Christopher and Nevis, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain (including Spanish territories in North Africa with Ceuta and Melilla), Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (including the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Bermuda), United States of America (including Virgin Islands of the United States, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico), Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela
First Step
After you have been given the green signal from a German university for higher studies, your next step is to secure a student visa. Since applications can take about several months to process, it is advised to submit the application, along with your documents at least eight weeks before your scheduled trip to Germany. Get an application form from the German embassy and submit it duly completed to the embassy, at the earliest. Depending upon your course and length of study, you may be issued with one of the three types of visa - student applicant visa, student visa, or visa for participation in a language course.
Student Applicant Visa
If you do not have a confirmation of application or have not yet been issued a certificate of admission to higher education from a German university, the embassy will provide you with a student applicant visa. The following basic documents will be required for confirming your visa:
- Proof of previous studies in the form of transcripts and certificates
- School leaving certificate from the last institution attended
- Proof of German language skills or you plan to undertake an intensive language course in Germany for at least 20 hours per week
- Proof of sufficient funds to finance your studies and stay in Germany
- A valid passport
- 2 passport-size photographs
In such a case, you need to supply evidence of sufficient funds to cover your entire cost of studying and living in Germany, either through self-financing or nominating one or more persons covering the full costs. This can be proved through any of the following methods:
- Evidence of sufficient funds per month or a lump sum amount to cover at least one year’s study.
- If you are being financed by a sponsor in your home country, he should have a minimum monthly income of 2500 Euros and declare his willingness to cover your costs for the entire study period by producing tax receipts, bank statements, certificates of employment, pay slips, Commercial Register excerpts, and other necessary documents.
- Alternatively, if you have a sponsor in Germany to take care of your study costs, he should submit a binding declaration stating his willingness to cover your expenses during the period of study.
- Produce a letter of confirmation, if you have been awarded a scholarship.
Student Visa
A student visa is issued to applicants who can produce a confirmation of application or a certificate of admission to higher education in a German university. The following documents will be required:
- Proof of previous studies in the form of transcripts and certificates
- Certificate of admission to higher education or confirmation of application
- Proof of German language skills or your plan of undertaking an intensive language course in Germany for at least 20 hours per week
- Proof of sufficient funds to finance your studies and stay in Germany
- A valid passport
- 2 passport-size photographs
Family members can be invited to stay with you in Germany only in exceptional cases, such as on a postgraduate course or you are a scholarship holder, after a certain period of time. For this:
- You should be capable of supporting yourself and your family
- You should have sufficient accommodation for your family
- You should be registered at a German higher education institution
Visa for Participation in a Language Course
If you desire to visit Germany just to pursue a language course, you will be issued a visa for the duration of the language course. But if you intend to take up higher studies immediately after completing your language course, you can apply for a student visa or student applicant visa before you reach Germany, else you will have to leave Germany on completion of the course and re-apply for visa from your home country. Once you arrive in Germany, you cannot convert your visa for a language course into a student visa or student applicant visa. To apply for such a visa, you will need the following basic documents:
- Proof of registration for a language course, such as certificate of registration, receipt of course fees, and so on
- Proof of health insurance for the duration of the stay in Germany
- Proof of financing the stay and the course, either by personal funds or via third party
- Valid passport
- 2 passport photographs
Cost and Time Required
Examination of the visa application usually takes about 6 to 8 weeks for a language course. However, if the language course is longer than three months, the time taken for processing the application can extend up to 8 to 10 weeks. And during peak travel season, applications can be sent under the waiting period. Thus, students requiring a student visa for Germany should submit their applications well ahead of time before the commencement of the course. The visa application fee for study in Germany, irrespective of the duration of stay, is 60 Euros. Study visas are valid only for the length of the course or program.
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