student visa in germany requirements - Lomelono Travel Solutions

If you have ever considered going to study in Germany, you probably looked at the requirements for a German student visa. Below is a summary of the requirements based on my personal experience and the experiences of other friends that have studied in Germany.

For someone looking for information about what is required to get a student visa in Germany, it can be confusing and frustrating. The requirements and process are different from other types of visas. Since most students are from the U.S., the visa requirements to study in Germany are not always clear when reading them. This article aims to clarify for the American student what is required for the German student visa (de) and how long it takes.

Processing of student visa in germany requirements has been improved now and it’s easy to get student visa in germany requirements. But, when you visit german embassy for this purpose, you must have to follow all the things which are mentioned by embassy officer.

Germany is a hub for students from around the world. If you’re planning to study in Germany, it’s important to know what you’ll need to do to apply for your student visa.

First, you’ll need to find a school in Germany that will accept your application and offer you a spot in their program. You can search for schools on our website, touriago.com, or use sites like StudyInGermany.de and GoAbroad.com. Once you’ve applied and been accepted into a program, it’s time to start working on the paperwork!

The first thing you’ll need is proof of enrollment—this means your acceptance letter from the school itself and any information about tuition fees or housing arrangements if they are included in your tuition fees. This also includes proof of funding if you have been awarded any scholarships or grants by organizations outside of Germany (like the government).

If you’re under 18 years old, there are additional documents required by German authorities: parental consent forms signed by both parents (if applicable) and birth certificates for each child traveling with their parents or guardians (if applicable).

Once all of these things have been received by German officials at least three months before your departure date, they will issue an approval letter which lets

Student Visa in Germany Requirements

Going to study in Germany is a great opportunity for anyone, but it does require a little bit of work to get set up. The first step is getting your student visa. There are a few different ways to get one, but the most common way is through an institution of higher education.

The easiest way to figure out what steps you need to take is by checking with the school you plan on attending. If they don’t have information on their website, then they may be able to provide it over the phone or in person. It’s important that you speak with an admissions officer or someone in charge of international relations at the school before applying for a student visa so that you can make sure all your bases are covered and nothing falls through the cracks when it comes time for your paperwork.

If you’re planning on attending school in Germany, there are certain requirements that must be met before you can start classes at the university or college of your choice:

You must be able to prove that

Apply for a German student visa at the German embassy or consulate or other intermediating application agencies in your country. The decision about your application is based on the information and the supporting documents you provide. Therefore, these documents have to be sent as originals, accompanied by two photocopies of each.

Here is a checklist of the required documents to apply for a German student visa:

Two duly completed national visa application forms.
Valid national passport. (Read passport requirements)
Two recently taken biometric portrait photographs. (Strict requirements, read our photo requirements page).
Proof of admission at a German education institution. (Send any of the following).
- University admission letter “Zulassungsbescheinigung”.
- Letter of admission in a foundation course. Issued by a Studienkolleg.
- Letter of admission in the propaedeutic course.
- Letter of admission in a preparatory German language course.
Proof of German language proficiency. (For German-only and mixed-language study programs).
- German Language University Entrance Examination for International Applicants (DSH).
- Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF).
- Goethe Institute German Language Diploma (GDS).
- German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs, Level II (DSD).
Proof of English language proficiency. (For English and mixed-language study programs).
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Accepted results are PbT (paper-based test) 550 Points, CbT (computer-based test) 213 Points and IbT (internet-based test) 79-80 Points.
- The International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Accepted scores by German universities are 5 – 6.5.
Authenticated certificates of earlier education.
- German university entrance qualification “Abitur”. If you’ve studied in a German education provider abroad. (If not, send the following documents).
- Recognized foreign academic qualification. It must show you have a qualification equally recognized as the German Abitur.
- Academic records or transcript.
Curriculum vitae. It has to be accompanied with evidence of previous and current internship and work experiences if any.
Means of subsistence “Finanzieruungsnachweis”. The evidence you provide must show you have enough money to cover living, accommodation and study costs. (Send any of the following).
- Blocked bank account. One of the easiest and fastest ways to open a German Blocked Account is through Fintiba/Sutor Bank. The blocked account provided by Fintiba is accepted by German embassies/consulates all around the world. Learn how to open a Fintiba blocked account.
- Letter of commitment by a resident “Verpflichtungserklärung“. A person living in Germany, showing they’ll be covering your accommodation and/or other living costs while you’ll be here.
- Letter of a declaration by a parent. It has to show their commitment to support you financially during your stay here. It must be supplemented by their bank statements of the latest 6 months.
- Scholarship awarding certificate. It must show you as a receiver and the amount of financial coverage granted to you by this scholarship.
Student health insurance. It must have at least 30,000 EUR coverage, and it must be valid for at least 3 months. The tariff EDUCARE24 by DR-WALTER meets all the requirements and is accepted by all German consulates worldwide.
Motivational letter. You’ll have to express the reason for choosing the specific university, study program. Mention also your study and plans and how these studies will be improving your career and life.
Marriage certificate. (Send this if you’re married). Support that with a birth certificate of any child (If related).
Proof of having paid the German student visa application fee.

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How Much Bank Balance Is Required for Germany Student Visa?

As of 2021, the amount required by the German Embassy/Consulate to be deposited into the blocked bank account when applying for a student visa to Germany is €10,332.

Is It Possible to Get a German Student Visa Without a Blocked Account?

It is possible to apply and get a German study visa without a blocked bank account by fulfilling one of the following requirements:

Submitting your parent’s documents certifying their income and financial assets.
A friend or a relative with a permanent residence in Germany can guarantee to cover your living expenses (Verpflichtungserklärung).
Presenting a scholarship award notification from a recognised institution (e.g., DAAD, Max Planck).

If you cannot fulfil any of the requirements above, then the blocked account becomes a mandatory prerequisite for the visa to study in Germany.

Germany Study Visa Fees

International students applying for a German student visa are charged certain fees, as shown in the table below:

Category	Visa Fee (Euro)
Applicants under 18 years old	37.50
Applicants over 18 years old	75

What You Can and Cannot Do While Having a Valid German Student Visa?

As a holder of a German student visa, you can:

Apply for an extension of the student residence permit. This is possible if you haven’t yet completed your planned studies within the visa period, and you’ll be completing them in a reasonable time.
Get a part-time job. You may work for up to 120 working days/year, even if you’re already working part-time in an academic institution where you are studying. However, your work must not interfere with your study progress.
Apply for a residence permit for job-seeking after graduation. You’ll be eligible to apply for a residence permit of this type only if you’ve completed your studies in Germany. With such a residence permit, for up to 6 months after graduation, you’ll be able to search for a job or to get self-employed. You may get a temporary job while searching for a permanent job that directly matches your received academic qualification.

As a holder of a German student visa, you cannot:

Get a full-time job. You cannot get a job that requires you to engage 240 working days per year. Despite this, you don’t qualify to apply for a work permit while being a student.
Abandon study lessons. Failing to participate in study lessons may lead to the cancellation of your eligibility to remain in Germany.

For How Long You Can Stay in Germany With a Student Visa?

With a German student visa, you’ll be able to remain in Germany for the initial 3 months. Within this period, you’ll be required to apply for a residence permit to study. The maximum period you’ll be receiving through such a residence permit is 2 years. You’ll also be allowed to extend the residence permit, depending on the length of your studies.

Steps to Follow After Arriving in Germany With a Student Visa

There are few steps you’ll have to go through before beginning your studies in Germany.

1. Find permanent accommodation in Germany.

Soon after arriving here, get yourself permanent accommodation in Germany. You may get accommodated in a student residence, flatshare, or an apartment rented on your own. The evidence of permanent address will be necessary on many future occasions.

2. Get yourself covered by German health insurance ‘Krankenversicherung’.

Get yourself covered with a health insurance policy, as this is a mandatory requirement for everyone living here.

If you’re a citizen of a country issuing a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you’ll not need to get German statutory health insurance. This accounts for EU people and citizens of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Morocco, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, Switzerland, Serbia, Tunisia and Turkey. In addition, the EHIC covers any medicinal treatment in Germany.

There are great German health insurance companies targeting students and meeting their needs. German insurance companies such as DR-WALTER have been in the industry for many years and are preferred by international students. Not only are they affordable, but their tailored student packages such as the tariff EDUCARE24 are favourites amongst international students in Germany.

Without proof of health insurance (public or private), enrolment at a German university is impossible.

3. Matriculate in studies to get the certificate of enrollment.

As you’ve found your permanent housing here, next to come is the enrollment or matriculation in studies at the student service office. But, again, do this within the enrollment period within dates announced in your letter of admission. If lacking enrollment, you’ll not be able to participate in study courses, sit the study exams, neither access the university’s services nor get the study degree. The certificate of enrollment will, likewise, is required when registering your address, applying for a residence permit, and getting discounts on leisure activities.

To enrol at a German university as a foreigner, these are the documents needed:

Valid national passport. It must show your valid student visa within.
Letter of admission.
Few recently taken passport photographs.
Student health insurance.

You’ll not be officially enrolled just by applying. Initially, a certificate of enrollment will be issued as a temporary student ID until you get the official student ID card. The process is completed when you pay the semester contribution and study fees (if any) right after receiving your student ID card by post. The average semester contribution is 250 Euros, and it covers social and other university services, counting the semester ticket for using the local public transportation.

The Student ID card sent to you will be accompanied by a unique ID account, e-mail and password on the server of the education provider. You’ll use this information to access internal electronic materials and library resources of the same provider.

Note: You’ll need to re-enrol yourself at the beginning of each new semester. If you don’t do that, you’ll be exmatriculated, removed from the student register.

4. Open a current bank account from a recognized German bank.

The next thing you’ll need to do is getting yourself a current bank account, ‘Girokonto’, with a recognized German bank. You’ll that in many cases, such as paying the rent, enrollment, other study-related fees, registration fee, and other bills. It is likewise needed for receiving any subsidy or your salary. Opening a bank account is normally free of charge service.

To open a student bank account in Germany, these are needed documents:

Valid national passport.
Confirmation of registration ‘Meldebescheinigung’.
Evidence of student status in Germany. (Any of the following).
- Student registration certificate ‘Immatrikulationsbescheinigung’.
- Letter of admission.
- Student visa.

5. Register your living address in Germany at the ‘Einwohnermeldeamt’. Get confirmation of registration ‘Meldebestätigung’.

In one week from having found your permanent housing, register your living address at the Resident’s Registration Office “Einwohnermeldeamt” or at Citizen’s Bureau ‘Bürgeramt’. Once completing the application, you’ll receive the confirmation of registration ‘Meldebestätigung’.

>> The documents you need for registering your address in Germany as an international student.

Note: You’ll have to repeat the process each time changing your living address in Germany.

6. Apply for a residence permit to study at the ‘Ausländerbehörde’.

As soon you receive the confirmation of registration, you’ll have to apply for a residence permit for your studies. This must be done while having a valid student visa.

Conclusion

Germany is attracting students from all corners of the world towards its excellent universities. However, just like any other country, Germany also has its own requirements when it comes to deciding who enters the country. Additionally, depending on where you come from, you may need a student visa in order to enter Germany and pursue your qualification.