Germany Student Visa

What Type of Visa Do I Need to Study in Germany?

Depending on the purpose of your visit, you need to apply for the appropriate visa to Germany. If the purpose of your visit to Germany is educational and long-term, you are not entitled to the Short-term/Schengen visa (C Visa). However, you will have to apply for the Germany National Visa (D Visa), which is long-term.

In addition, depending on the circumstances of your study programme, you should keep in mind that there are three types of German Student Visa:

Language Course Visa. German Language Courses lasting from 3 months to 1 year.

Student Applicant Visa. If you still haven’t gotten a formal admission letter from the university you applied to or you need to enter entrance examinations offered by the university. It is valid for 3 months with the possibility of extending to 6 months.

Student Visa. This is a long-term visa if you have been accepted to a German university. Keep in mind to register with the Alien Registration Office in the German city you’re residing in within two weeks of your arrival so you can obtain your Residence Permit.

Which Are the German Student Visa Requirements?

In order to obtain a German student visa, you must meet the following requirements:

Two filled out and signed national visa forms.
Your valid national passport.
Two photocopies of your passport.
Birth certificate.
Marriage certificate (if married).
Child’s certificate (if you have children).
Two recently taken biometric portrait photographs.
Photocopies of previous German residence titles. (If you have been to Germany before).
Previous Schengen Visa.
Previous Resident Permit.
Proof of Financial Resources. You should meet the financial requirements in order to be granted your German student visa. Depending on your circumstances, you should have one of the following:
Blocked Bank Account. You can open a blocked bank account online through Fintiba, accepted by German Embassies and Consulates throughout the world.
Letter of commitment. You can get this from a person living in Germany who shows they will be covering your accommodation or other living costs.
Letter of declaration. Through this, your parents show they will be providing you with financial support during your stay.
Scholarship certificate. If you have a scholarship award, the certificate should show what the scholarship will cover and that you are the receiver of that financial coverage.
Proof of Admission (it can be one of the following).
University admission letter.
Letter of admission in foundation/propaedeutic/German language course.
Original certificates of previous education.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Motivational Letter. Explain why you have chosen this degree programme as well as your future plans.
Travel Health Insurance. (covering the period from your departure to the date of enrolment at the German university – approx. 3 months).
Students aged 29 and younger can benefit from free travel health insurance for up to 31 days, offered by German Student Insurance, as of March 5, 2020.
Students aged 30 and older, Language Students, Interns as well as Doctoral Students should take EDUCARE24 by DR-WALTER. The health insurance product EDUCARE24 is both affordable and qualitative, and it is recognized by German Embassies and Consulates worldwide.
Proof you have paid the visa application fee.
Proof of German language proficiency. (For German or mixed-language programmes).
Proof of English language proficiency. (For English or mixed-language programmes).
* Please note that the German Embassies and Consulates reserve the right to ask for additional documents or the verification of certificates.