As Germany is known to be a country with free education, the visa regulations and university applications can’t be very lenient. For starters, the student visa costs about €60.
Who doesn’t need a visa in Germany?
- Applicants from the European Union
- Students from US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan, South Korea. Just need to register themselves at the local Residents’ Registration Office and the Aliens’ Registration Office (Agentur für Arbeit) to obtain a residence permit.
- Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco, San Marino or Taiwan need a student visa only if they plan to work after their studies.
What are the documents needed for a German Student Visa?
- Application: If you want to study in Germany, apply for the visa at least three months in advance. You can fill the online visa application or go to the consulate, depending on where you are located.
- Documents Needed:
- Completed application form
- two photographs
- university offer letter (look at exceptions below)
- academic transcripts, German or English Language proficiency depending on language of the course
- Show proof of sufficient funds required to survive in Germany for a year (roughly €8700 of living plus university charges)
- Health insurance certificate (€80 per month)
- Declaration of the authenticity of your documents
- Show that you don’t have any criminal record
How many funds do I need to show to get the Visa?
You need to show roughly €8700 as personal expenses (rent, living, etc.), and the university fees. You need to add that up depending on which university and what your course fees is.
Do I need a separate Residence Permit once I am in Germany?
Yes, apart from your student visa, you need a residence permit for study purpose. You need the following documents for the same:
- Proof of valid health insurance (private or public)
- Offer Letter/ Certificate of enrolment from your university
- Proof of sufficient finances
- Valid passport
- Current visa, if you need to have one
- Certificate of health (if applicable)
- Your tenancy agreement (if applicable)
- Biometric passport photos (if applicable)
- Residence permit fee (€50 for staying less than a year, €60 for more than a year)
How long can I stay in Germany after graduation?
International students with a residence permit can extend their stay and seek work for up to 18 months after graduating provided that the job is related to their field of study. Graduates from EU/EEA countries can stay on to seek work without any restrictions or permits. After two years of employment in Germany, once can try applying for a permanent residency status. It is not essential but definitely beneficial to be proficient in the German language when seeking work in Germany.
