Germany student visa process
Moving into Germany as a student is one of the easiest routes to take if you’re looking forward to relocating to Germany. Germany offers different visa pathways for eligible immigrants and the student visa is one of them. PacknPass blog is here to show you the process to acquire a student visa to Germany from any part of the world after receiving an acceptance from any German university or college.
For studies lasting three months, you need a Schengen visa, and for studies exceeding three months, you need a German national visa.
The process for acquiring a German student visa isn’t daunting, it only requires the applicant’s patience in putting the required documents together and preparing extensively for the interview.
You can receive a Germany student visa if you’re looking to follow any of the following study types:
- Full time academic courses.
- State preparatory college ‘studienkolleg’.
- Mandatory preliminary internship.
- Propaedeutic course.
Note: The studienkolleg is a required course if your school leaving certificate is not recognized by the German government. After which you’ll be mandated to take a test ‘Feststellungsprüfung‘ upon passing this test, you’ll receive a certificate known as University entrance qualification which would enable you to apply to a university in Germany.
Step by step process
Advisors recommend initiating the application for your study visa months before your planned travel. You should start your Schengen student application by booking an appointment at the German Embassy consulate in your country. See here to know the available dates for visa appointment in your country.
Visa interview
A visa interview is an important meeting that gives you an opportunity to meet with the consulate officer as applicant. Present all the required documents for processing your application in an orderly manner. The consulate officer would also ask several questions to know the intent of your relocation. Advisors recommend answering these questions truthfully. Don’t fidget.
Documents required for study visa application
- Valid passport
- Proof of funds/blocked account
- Motivational letter
- Language proficiency certificate
- Two completed visa forms
- Acceptance letter from German university
- Letter of confirmation
- visa fee
- Confirmation of registration
- Academic records and transcripts
- Birth certificate
- Proof of accommodation in Germany
- Completed declaration
The German study visa costs 75 EUR, and only payment made by bank transfer is accepted. The payment order must be in the name of the Embassy/Consulate in your country and not older than two months.
Please note that you there will be no reimbursement of the visa fee if your application for a student visa gets denied.
Duration of a Germany student visa process
The processing time for a Germany long-stay study visa may take from 6-12 weeks from the application day. The German missions abroad typically decide on short-stay study visas for Germany within 15-30 days.