Germany Work VISA

How to Get a Student Visa for Germany?

Every year the number of students choosing Germany to pursue higher education is escalating. The German consulate in their respective home countries is the authority to grant visas to students who have been admitted to study in Germany. A residence permit is a must for all nationals to reside in Germany for the duration of the study course. 

 

The requirement of a student visa in Germany:

 

• For a course that lasts up to 3 months, students need to obtain a Schengen visa.

• For a course that lasts more than 3 months, one must apply for a German national visa.

 

If a student arrives and enters Germany with a national visa, it is mandatory to extend the stay by obtaining a residence permit from a foreigner’s office to continue with the study course. This has to be done before the entry visa expires.

International students must find out what type of visa do they need to complete their academic program in Germany considering the length of stay and plan of the program.

 

Types of Student’s visas in Germany:

 

A German student visa is issued for a wide range of study programs at all levels of education (Bachelors to Post-Doctoral courses). It also allows you to take up pre-academic courses or participation in German language training (non-academic). 

 

There are 3 types of student visas issued by Germany to international students:

1. German Student Visa: For international students, this is a standard visa who have been accepted by a German university and are ready to pursue a full-time program in Germany.

2. German Student Application Visa: If a university or an educational institution requires you to be present in Germany in person while taking admission or during the enrolment process for a particular course at that institution, you can apply for this visa. It is to be remembered that this visa does not allow you to study in Germany. It is for the purpose of completing the admission process.

3. German Language Training Visa: This visa is issued to those who want to take up and study a German language course in Germany.

Documents required to apply for a German Visa: 

 

• A valid passport

• Visa application form duly filled

• Photographs in the required format

• Birth Certificate

• Proof of adequate finances to support your stay and study in Germany for the whole duration of the course

• Scholarships if awarded any

• Proof of University admission/ Acceptance letter/ confirmation of admission, etc.

• Visa application fees 

• Student health insurance

• Proof of Germany Language Proficiency

• Educational Certificates and experience letters from employers

• Confirmation of accommodation in Germany (if acquired)

• Other documents as required by the Consulate office

 

Application Procedure

 

Applying for a student’s visa can be a confusing task for any international student especially who has never applied for a visa before. Every country has a different procedure but there a few common steps that you must follow as given below:

 

1. Know the nearest German consulate office or embassy in your region: 

You can research the requirements for the visa needed for fulfilling your purpose of going to Germany. All Consulate offices provide addresses and contact information on their websites. Depending on your location, you might have to travel to another state, city or country to reach the German embassy that would be the nearest embassy to you. 

2. Study the requirements and process: 

Please pull out all information pertaining to the student’s visa you need. Note down all the preparation that is required on your part for the visa application to avoid last-minute complications and delays.

3. Scheduling a visa appointment: 

Once all the valid documents are updated and ready to be submitted you must set up a visa appointment with the embassy. The date and time will be allotted to you depending on the slots available on their calendar. Apply for a date which is weeks ahead of time as you will get more time to prepare and also do all the final checks. 

4.  Preparing for the visa interview: 

After paying the non-refundable visa fees and getting the payment confirmation. Take professional guidance in this matter. Talk to someone who has witnessed the same interview recently. Know the frequently asked questions and prepare yourself accordingly. Mock interviews help a great deal. 

 

Once the interview is done, you can expect a revert from the consulate office in approximately 25 days for a student’s visa. Sometimes the visa application processing time is long. All visas usually are processed within 3 months unless your visa application is rejected, in which case, you will be notified the same in a reasonable time.

 

Process for obtaining a residence permit in Germany:

 

In the week of arriving in Germany, students must find accommodation. Once done, immediately register at the resident’s office the address of your new accommodation. The resident’s office will verify your details, information, documents, and address and issue a confirmation on registration known as “Meldebescheinigung”.

 

The next thing you are required to do is contact the university you are going to join and enroll at the university campus to get access to other resources. This should be done before the deadline to enroll which will be mentioned in your admission letter. This process called the matriculation also involves submitting all the relevant documents to the “Studentensekretariat” which means the student’s affairs office of the university. You may also be asked to pay semester fees if you have not paid that before. The final step is receiving a student ID and other credentials that make you an active and valid student.

 

If you are a Whizstorm student, and you are being recruited by any university or college for your higher education abroad, our experts will provide you with the latest information and at all times keep you updated about your visa application process and status. They will help you locate and gather all the documents required by the authorities. They will assist you to prepare for the visa interview and make you feel confident before you take the interview. You can take a mock interview that takes away all the nervousness about the interview. Whizstorm experts will ensure that your visa process is hassle-free and eliminate the risk of any complications.