If you are looking forward to studying in a country with low or no tuition fees, Germany is the country for you.
Germany is the only top study destination whose universities charge no tuition fees due to a decision made in October 2014, stating that all international students attending a public university in Germany would be free from paying tuition fees but foreign students will only have to pay a few administrative costs like student contribution, student Union fee and a public transport ticket which account for around €250 per semester.
Aside from free tuition, Germany is a paradise for higher education, unlike any other country. In Germany, you will find many worldwide-ranked universities and countless courses to choose from, globally valued degrees that promise high employability to you and affordable living costs. Other perks of studying in Germany include exploring all aspects of life in Germany and the advantage of staying in Germany after your studies.
Due to these benefits, many foreign students choose Germany as their study abroad destination but depending on your country of origin, you might get an exemption requiring a visa to study in Germany, but you still need to obtain a residence permit lasting more than 90 days once you enter Germany for your studies.
Below are basic details you need to know before applying for a student visa in Germany;
Basic Requirements for Study Visa in Germany
- If you are just studying for 3 months, you need a Schengen visa, but if your study course is beyond 3 months then you need a German national visa.
- If you enter Germany on a national visa, you should extend your stay at a foreigner’s office by obtaining a German residence permit for studies. You should do this before your Visa validity expires.
Types of German Study Visas
A German study visa applies to all levels of study and degrees; Undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate studies, and even exchange programs. The study visa covers participation in pre-academic measures and non-academic German language courses.
Below are the three types of German Study Visas;
German Student Visa: This is the standard visa for international students who get admission to one of Germany’s official universities and are ready to begin their studies.
German Student Applicant Visa: You will need this visa when you have to apply for university admission in person in Germany. This Visa does not allow you to study in Germany and it is only valid for the university application process.
German Language Course Visa: This is the type of visa you need to apply for if you study a language course in Germany.
German Student Visa Requirement
To get either of the German student’s visas, you need to have the following documents;
- A national visa application for that is duly filled out and signed
- A valid national passport
- Two photocopies of your passport
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Recent passport photographs (minimum of 3)
- Photocopies of previous German residence titles (if applicable)
- Proof of funds
- Deposit confirmation of €11,208 at German blocked bank account.
- “Verpflichtungserklärung” letter from a German resident that will be presented to the Alien registration office, which will cover your expenses during your studies.
- Certificate of scholarship which states the amount of money it covers if you were being given a scholarship.
- Bank assurance: This must be issued by a well-known German bank.
- Proof of university admission
All You Need to Know About Your Proof of University Admission
Admission of studies confirmation also known as “Zulassungsbescheid” is issued by the university you are applying to in Germany, indicating your start date of studies and instruction language.
Proof of conditional admission also known as “Bedingter Zulassungbescheid” and confirmation of “intensive Sprachkurs” (an intensive course). The letter must demonstrate that you are conditioned and confirmed to participate in an intensive language course before receiving final university admission. The course duration must be at least 6 months and include 18 hours of instruction per week.
Evidence of Conditional University Admission
- Letter from “uni-assist.”
- Document with applicant name stating admission confirmation.
- Communication with the University regarding final admission conditions
- Proof of payment for language course accompanied by a confirmed course place.
- Payment must cover 3 months
- Confirmation admission to “Studienkolleg” (admission to university preparatory course:
- Evidence of your previous education
- Original high school diploma
- Certificate of graduation
(For Masters or Ph.D. program)
- Student health insurance is available
- Qualification for university admission
- German or English Language Proficiency Certificate
Steps To Applying For A German Study Visa
This procedure varies by country, but here is a general overview of the main steps you will need to apply for a study visa in Germany;
- Visit the German Embassy or Consulate nearest to you
- Examine the pre-requisites and procedures
- Make a visa appointment
- Prepare your application documents
- Get ready for your visa interview
Germany Student Visa Processing Time
A German student visa application process can take up to 25 days to be completed. The processing time might vary according to the country or embassy you are applying to. The processing of other German study visa applications is within three months.
Final Thoughts
Studying in Germany or other countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and other European countries, should not be a hard process and that is why we are here to help. Book a consultation call to talk with an expert who will guide you through the steps.
Also, gain access to our monthly webinars and updates by joining our community on Telegram. You can also join our scholarship mentorship with Mundus where you will get your documents reviewed, access document samples, a step-by-step guide to getting a scholarship approved, links to scholarship registration, and a lot more.
To join our scholarship mentorship program, contact us through the mail; at office@mundusconsult.com or call 07069537752.