Germany is among the developed nations that provide great infrastructure and opportunities to international students. Germany has many world-class universities, lively cities packed with art galleries, vibrant nightlife, and much eye-catching scenic beauty. Education at a public university in Germany is affordable as they do not charge tuition fees to both domestic and international students. And, in order to study in Germany, one needs a Germany study visa.
If you are someone looking forward to studying in Germany, you are at the right place. This article will make you acquainted with the minutest details of applying for German student visa, including Germany student visa requirements, processing time, cost, process, etc.
Let’s dive right into the insights!
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Who Needs a German Student Visa?
Most international students need to get a Germany study visa from one of the top German universities to which they have applied. Be sure to apply for the appropriate German student visa as early as prior to 3 months before the start of your planned studies at the Embassy or German Consulate in your home country.
Depending on the country you come from, you might be exempt from needing a visa to study in Germany, but you are still required to obtain a residence permit for studies lasting more than 90 days once you arrive in Germany.
Types of German Student Visa
You would be required to apply for German student visa for undergraduate, exchange, graduate, or postgraduate courses along with any non-academic course. There are three types of student visa to study in Germany, which have been tabulated below:
German Student Visa |
German Student Applicant Visa |
German Language Course Visa |
Standard student visa is given to students who are ready to start their studies in Germany at a full-time university. |
You will get this visa when you apply for university admission in person in Germany. |
German Language Visa is required only when you want to study for a German language course in Germany. |
When the university accepts your application, you have to wait for your letter of acceptance or complete an entrance examination. During this period, you can apply for German student visa.
Prospective student visas are valid for three months and can be extended by six months if you are accepted to a higher education institution or enrolled in a foundation course or a preparatory German language course within this period. |
Read: Visa Regulations in Germany
What are Germany Student Visa Requirements?
Now coming to the most important part, i.e. getting to know about the Germany student visa requirements. The important documents required to start the Germany student visa process are:
- Valid passport
- Proof of health insurance: at least 30,000 EUR/ INR 23,86,000 coverage, with a validity for at least 3 months
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Academic transcripts
- CV or Resume
- English language requirements for Germany education visa: IELTS score of 5.5-6.0, TOEFL score of 550
- Germany study visa requirements include health certificate
- Two recently taken biometric portrait photographs
- Letter of Acceptance from a German university
- Proof of having paid the German student visa application fee
Germany Student Visa Update: As of 2022,10,332 EUR (8,82,965 INR) is the bank balance required by the German Embassy/Consulate to be deposited into the blocked bank account when applying for a Germany student visa. |
Read: Part-time Jobs for Students in Germany
Now you know what are the requirements for student visa in Germany. Next, let’s explore how to apply student visa for Germany from India.
How to Apply for Germany Student Visa?
So, answering the next most important question—how to apply student visa for Germany?
Applying for a Germany student visa application is not a tedious task. A German visa for Indian students can be easy to get hold of, provided all the required documents are available and the eligibility is fulfilled. So first, ensure to fulfil the Germany study visa requirements for Indian students.
Next, let us move forward to understand the steps to apply for German student visa:
- Locate the nearest German Embassy or Consulate—for German Visa for Indian students, you can make an appointment at the German Embassy in New Delhi, the German Consulate in Mumbai, the German Consulate in Chennai, the German Consulate General Bangalore, and the German Consulate in Kolkata. etc.
- Go through the requirements and procedures, and set your visa appointment when you are done reviewing the requirements pertaining to German visas for Indian students.
- Set up a Visa appointment and plan ahead for a few weeks as it takes time.
- Prepare for the German student visa interview till then.
Read: How about Studying in Germany?
Next, let’s explore how much cost for student visa to Germany.
Germany Study Visa Fees
The German student visa application cost is 75 EUR. Students have to pay the fees through cheque. Credit card and debit card payments are not accepted. The money order should be in the name of the Embassy or the Consulate of Germany in your home country and should be done within two months. Also, the student visa for Germany from India cost around 5,965 INR.
Note: In case your application is rejected, the money is refunded back.
Suggested: Living Cost in Germany
Germany Student Visa Processing Time
The Germany student visa application process takes about 6-12 weeks for a long-stay visa. And for the short-stay visa usually takes around 15-30 days.
The Germany student visa processing time can be expected to be around 1-2 months, depending on the type of Germany education visa applied.
Applying for a Residence Permit in Germany
Depending on the purpose and length of stay, one can have a German Residence permit. The temporary residence permit is given to students completing an undergraduate, graduate, or vocational degree in Germany. They usually get the permit according to the length of the program.
A permanent residence permit in Germany is mostly given to an individual who already has a temporary permit for certain years. You will need a similar set of documents that you required for the Germany study visa:
- Proof of financial capabilities
- Letter of acceptance from the university
- Valid passport
- Health insurance
- Your Germany student visa
- Residence Permit fee
Read: Germany Student Visa Rejection Reasons
Germany Student Visa Interview
Post the Germany student visa application process, you will have to give the Germany student visa interview, which is quite an important part of the entire process. The questions asked in the interview usually consist of generic questions, including personal and university-based questions. The interview is extremely essential in order to get acceptance for the Germany study visa.
“How to get student visa for Germany from India?” is a very broad question. The application process for a Germany student visa is not a tedious task if you have all the required documents. After completing the application process, your main aim should be acing the German student visa interview. You can even connect with our counsellors to know more about the Germany study visa fees, requirements, process, etc, by subscribing to Yocket premium.
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