German Student Visa Requirements, Process, Types, Cost

German students visa requirements

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German Student Visa Requirements, Process, Types & Cost

Germany has become the first choice of the students from all corners of the world due to the presence of excellent universities. Indian students make up the second-largest group of international students entering the country for educational purposes. In the winter semester of 2020, German Universities received nearly 60,000 applications from Indian students. However, certain requirements must be met to enter the country. Depending on the country of origin of the student, he has to fulfill the criteria to be eligible to study in Germany. This article summarizes the requirements for German student visas and the process of applying for admission to a German university. Not everyone needs to go through the process of a visa to study in Germany. Some countries are exempted from the standard and a person can travel visa-free to Germany for study purposes. They are EEA/EU citizens, from Australia, Andorra, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Switzerland, United States, and South Korea. If you are a resident of these countries then you can travel to Germany without a visa. But if you are a non-resident then go through the article to have a clear-cut idea of the visa requirements and the application process

TYPES OF VISAS TO STUDY IN GERMANY

It all depends on the needs of the students and their long-term goals. If he is planning a short course or has a long-term educational plan, there are different visas for different purposes. Three types of student visas are:
LANGUAGE COURSE VISA where a student lives in Germany to learn a language with a duration of 90 days to 1 year.
STUDENT APPLICATION VISA is needed when you are awaiting a formal confirmation letter or a clearance of the entrance exam from the university for your enrollment. This visa lasts up to 3 months and can be extended to 6 months.
STUDENT VISA is a long-term visa that is given after your acceptance as a student of a German University. But one thing has to be kept in mind that one should immediately register with Alien Registration Office in the German city to obtain a residence permit.

GERMANY VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

Applying for the Schengen visa includes a series of steps to be followed. The step-by-step guide to the German visa application process is as follows:
1. Request the embassy for a checklist of the necessary documents for the visa type you wish to apply for.
2. Complete the application form with accurate information and get the required documents for your visa.
3. Schedule an interview six months before the trip at the German embassy in your country of residence.
4. Disburse the visa fee and keep the receipt to provide evidence for it later to the consular officer during the interview.
5. Be on time at the embassy for your meeting with all the vital documents arranged in the given order. The meeting will last around ten minutes, during which the consular officer will look at your paperwork and ask you some questions about your background and the purpose of your trip to Germany.

GERMAN STUDENT VISA REQUIREMENTS

The following documents are required for a German student visa:

  • Two completed and signed national visa forms.
  • Valid Indian passport.
  • Two copies of your passport.
  • Birth certificate.
  • Marriage certificate (if you are married).
  • Child certificate (if you have children).
  • Two recent biometric portraits.
  • A copy of the previous German residence permit.
  • Previous Schengen Visa.
  •  Previous Resident Permit.
  • Financial Resources Proof- You ought to meet the financial requirements to be granted your German student visa.
  • You must have one of the following:
  •  A blocked Bank Account: A German blocked account can be opened online through Fintiba, which is accepted by German Embassies and Consulates around the world.
  •  Letter of commitment. This can be obtained from a person living in Germany who shows they will be covering your accommodation or other living costs.
  •  Letter of declaration. It is the declaration made by your parents to show that they will be providing you with financial support during your stay.
  • Scholarship certificate. It is the certificate that is the proof of your scholarship award that would show what the scholarship will cover and that you are the receiver of that financial coverage.
  • Proof of Admission
  •  Original certificates of previous education.
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Letter of Motivational explaining why you have opted for this course and your plans.
  • Travel Health Insurance. (Period from your departure to the date of admission to a German university – about 3 months).   
    • Students below 29 years 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 above 30 years and older, Language Students, Interns as well as Doctoral Students should take EDUCARE24 by DR-WALTER. The health insurance product EDUCARE24 is both reasonably priced and qualitative, and it is acknowledged by German Embassies and Consulates worldwide.
  •  Proof that shows that you have paid the visa application fee.
  • German language proficiency proof.
  •  English language proficiency proof.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A GERMAN STUDENT VISA

 Once you have all the documents ready, then it is as simple as making a paper boat. Here is the itinerary to be followed for a German visa for Indian student:
1. Visit the German embassy or consulate in your country- submit your application  to YES German Education Consultant in India here and ask for an appointment to carry out further activities.
2. Make sure to go through the list of documents provided on the official websites of the German Embassies.
3. Be ready for the visa interview. You can look at the frequently asked question and prepare yourself accordingly.
The German student visa processing time usually takes 25 days but in some cases, it might take 6 weeks to 12 weeks to materialize. The maximum processing time for the visa application is 3 months. The German student visa validity is initially valid for 3 months. In the meantime, you must apply for a residence permit to study and it is valid for 2 years. This permit can be extended depending on the study period.

GERMAN STUDENT VISA RULES

The rules and regulations depend on the home country.

  • Indian students need to follow a set of rules to have a visa before heading to Germany.
  • National visas are issued for a period of three months to twelve months.
  • As soon as the student enters the country, he should apply for a residence permit.
  • The visa allows the students to live while waiting for a residence permit application to be processed.

This is a compulsory document that needs to be presented if a student wishes to stay in Germany for more than 90 days. During your stay, the German Government May permits you to work for 120 hours a year or 240 half a day a year. These part-time jobs can be voluntary work or self-employment. The visa can be extended only in case of exceptional situations like a natural calamity. If a person supplies a valid reason for the visa extensions then he will have to pay additional 30 Euros to qualify for a longer stay.

GERMAN STUDENT VISA COST

The German visa fee is non-refundable in case of rejection too. But if the candidate is deemed appropriate, the fees can be exempted. The student has to pay 75 Euros or INR 6494 if he is an adult. In the case of a minor, that is if the age of the applicant is between 0 to 17 years, he has to pay 37.50 Euros or INR 3247. The visa fee has to be paid in Indian Rupees through a Demand Draft at the end of the visa appointment.

GERMANY STUDENT VISA PROCESSING TIME

German embassies around the world, the only authority to review the applications, generally process a German visa application in about 10 to 15 working days.
There may be delays depending on the number of applications and situation of the applicant.

 

German Student Visa Requirements, Process, Types, Cost
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