A German Student Visa is a major requirement for all international students who wish to study in Germany, except the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), and Swiss nationals who can do so without a visa. The visa grants you the right to remain in Germany for your course. A German Student Visa is not particularly costly, but it does require you to jump some bureaucratic hurdles before it will be granted. It could also require a visit to your German consulate. The German government provides three classes of visas for international students which are :
- The main German Student Visa(Visum Zur Studienzwecken) is for those who have already been accepted onto a university course
- Language Course Visa for those accepted onto a language preparatory course that lasts between three months and one year
- Student Applicant Visa(Visum Zur Studienbewerbung): This visa is for those who have yet to choose their course or who are still awaiting confirmation of acceptance.
Requirements
Students need to prove to the German visa officer that they have finances for one year. The amount would be €992 per month or, €11,904 per annum (approx) kept in a Blocked Account. A residence permit issued to students is valid for a maximum of two years. It needs to be renewed if the duration of the course is longer than the stated two years. The German student visa success rate is approximately between 90% to 95%. However, the success of a German student visa will depend on the proper documentation and verification of the same. Aside from the financial requirement students will need to present the following before they will qualify for a GERMAN student visa.
- Copy of your passport’s information page (A4 size copy)
- Application form
- A declaration stating the information provided is true and complete information
- Cover Letter explaining the reason for your visa application. You may be required to submit a German translation of this document.
- Letter of Admission from a German University
- University Certificates and transcripts – Degree certificates and mark sheets For candidates applying for M.sc and PhD.
- Proof of Language Proficiency (German language test scores). Applicants for PhD studies and Erasmus Mundus Scholarship holders are exempt from this rule.
- Proof of funds
- 3 passport pictures according to biometric specifications, not older than 6 months
- Demand Draft for the Student Visa Fee
How to Apply for a German Student Visa
- Applicants for a German Student Visa need to begin their application around four months before the start date of your course. This should provide enough time to make an appointment, do the necessary paperwork, attend the interview, and wait 6 to 12 weeks for your visa to be processed.
- The process to obtain your visa involves liaising with the German consulate in your country, ensuring you have filled out all forms correctly, and having the necessary documents prepared.
- Upon your being successfully admitted and admission letter received from a German university please prepare the necessary documentation for your visa application mentioned above.
- Get photos that meet biometric photo requirements as specified on the official website.
- Fill out the Application form for National Visa. Print it out, sign it, and submit it along with the other documents.
- Print out the Declaration on true and complete information also found on the official website, and sign it.
- Schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the German Mission.
- Shortly before your appointment, verify the current exchange rate for your visa fee on the official German Mission website and obtain the Demand Draft.
Cost of Applying for a German Student Visa
The cost of a German Student Visa is about 75 euros, or about 120,602.82 and for minors, the fee is about 37.50 euros, or about 60,301.41 Nigerian naira.
The fee may be paid in cash, with a credit card, or other means, depending on the German embassy or consulate in the country of the applicant. For example, the Consulate General in Lagos only accepts POS payments, while the Embassy in Abuja only accepts cash payments.
WHERE TO APPLY FOR THE STUDENT GERMAN VISA.
To apply for a visa, contact the German embassy or consulate in your home country or Visit the website of the Embassy/Consulate, then go to the “National Visa”/”Long Term Visa” section, click on the “Student Visa” category and familiarize yourself with all of the requirements The application forms and any necessary documents can usually be downloaded directly from the websites of the diplomatic missions.