German Student Visa
Contents
A German Student Visa is necessary for many international students that are coming from non-EU or non-EEA countries.
There are three types of visas: a standard Student Visa, a Student Applicant Visa, and a Language Course Visa. It is important to understand everything that is required to get the national visa before you begin your application, which is what we will discuss in this article.
Learn more about the required documents, the visa fee, and the processing time.
What is a German Student Visa?
Learn everything you need to know about the Student Visa for Germany.
A German Student Visa is necessary for all international students who wish to study in Germany, with the exception of 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 the duration of 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.
It’s important to understand that there are three types of student visa:
- The main German Student Visa (Visum Zur Studienzwecken) which 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), which is for those who haven’t chosen their course yet or who are still awaiting confirmation of acceptance.
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Step-by-step guide to apply for your visa
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Important documents you'll need
How much is a German student visa fee?
The student visa fee is €75 euros.
Is IELTS necessary for a German student visa?
Those undertaking a degree course that is taught in English may need to prove they have a sufficient level of English via an IELTS English language test.
If you are undertaking a German-taught degree course, then it is possible to apply for a Germany student visa without IELTS, but instead you may need proof of sufficient German via a TestDaf score.
Thinking About Studying in English? Find Out All the Requirements Here.
How long does it take to get a student visa for Germany?
The German student visa processing time is typically around 6 to 12 weeks, although it can take up to 4 months in some instances.
Student Applicant Visa
The Student Applicant Visa is necessary for those who have still not decided on the course they want to apply for or have still not received confirmation of their place, but in either case, they are ready to move to Germany.
Sometimes referred to as the Prospective Student Visa, this visa allows students applying to German universities to enter and stay in Germany. Unlike a student visa, which may be granted for up to four years, a Student Applicant Visa is valid for three months, but it can be extended to up to nine months. If you haven’t been accepted onto a course after nine months, you will need to return home.
Once you have been accepted onto a course, it’s important to make your application for a Student Visa. You do not need to leave Germany to apply for the Student Visa.
Get your student visa step by step
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Health Insurance
Everyone who comes to Germany for work or studies needs to register for Health Insurance.
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Funds
You’ll need to prove you have the funds to cover living costs for one year or the duration of your stay.
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Qualifications
You'll need to provide your high school diploma or equivalent.
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Language Skills
Depending on whether you are doing a German or English-taught course you’ll need to prove you have a grasp of the language.
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Acceptance
You’ll need to provide proof of acceptance onto your university course.
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Visa paperwork
You'll need: passport, biometric photo, certificate of enrollment, proof of: finances, Health Insurance, and residence; plus the visa application filled out.
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Requirements for a German Student Visa
To apply for a German Visa, you will need the following documents:
- Proof of your acceptance on the course
- Evidence of existing qualifications (high school diploma)
- Valid passport, and photocopies of your passport
- Current biometric photo
- Proof of funds (via a Blocked Account) or proof that your costs will be covered by your parents or by a scholarship
- Proof of Health Insurance
Make sure you have considered the living costs and that you have found a way to cover them (i.e., from parents) or are able to deposit the amount to cover you for one year in a blocked account. You may be able to get additional funds through a scholarship from your home country or possibly even a student loan.
It is mandatory by law for all residents in Germany to have health insurance, and you will need proof that you have registered for healthcare insurance before you apply for your Student Visa.
The type of coverage you need for your stay in Germany will depend on your individual situation. Our Health Insurance package ensures you get the right type of protection with some of the best providers in the German market: TK, ottonova, and DR-WALTER.
We can help you register for healthcare cover with TK before you make your visa application. You can find out more about this below and on our Health insurance for International Students page.
Health Insurance for International Students
German Health Insurance for international students is essential for being granted a student visa
Students aged under 30 can register with the public or private healthcare system. Students pay a discounted rate for their Health Insurance. You will need to provide proof of health insurance for a German Student Visa.
At Expatrio, we partner with Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), one of Germany’s largest public healthcare providers, and the one with the most international members. We also partner with ottonova and DR-WALTER for private cover. See our Health Insurance service page to find out how you can begin the sign-up process.
Those attending a Student Visa interview without proof of healthcare cover will be refused a visa at that point. It may take up to another four months to arrange a second interview and wait for the visa to be processed.
You can find out more on our Health Insurance for Foreign Students page.
Application Process
How can I get a student visa for Germany?
You need to begin your student visa 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 the 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.
1. Make an appointment with the German consulate
You will need to attend an interview at the German consulate in your home country in order to be accepted for a student visa. Because these appointments get booked up in advance, you need to do this in good time. After you have made the appointment, go through the following steps and ensure they are all completed by the time you attend the interview.
2. Set up a Blocked Account
A Blocked Account is a type of German bank account for international students to prove they have the funds to cover their costs of living during their studies. In 2024, the amount you need to prove to the German authorities that you have enough funds to live in Germany is €992 per month. See Expatrio’s Blocked Account page to start the process of setting up an account quickly, easily, and safely online.
3. Apply for Health Insurance
Make sure you are registered for Health Insurance and have proof of this cover that is valid in Germany (in almost all cases, this will have to be with a German provider). You can start the registration process with one of Germany’s top providers, on our Health Insurance page today. Better yet - to combine your Blocked Account and Health Insurance, plus receive cashback, you can choose the Expatrio Value Package!
4. Fill in the application form
This can be downloaded from your nearest German consulate’s website. When you fill the application form out, take care to check you have included everything that is asked. Ask a friend or family member to go over it for you to check you haven’t missed anything. An incomplete form can result in a refusal of the visa.
5. Check you have all the documents ready
Ahead of your appointment with the consulate, ensure you now have all documents ready with a Germany Student Visa checklist. This includes your Health Insurance, passport, copies of passport, passport photos, high school certificate, course acceptance letter, birth certificate, proof of blocked account or funds, and the correctly filled out application form itself.
Tips for your student visa application
To sum up, here are some tips for you
- It’s often worth seeking expert advice when it comes to applying for a student visa. Expatrio can offer support and advice to those applying for a German Student Visas. Expatrio can also help you with registering with your Health Insurance, setting up a Blocked Account and your everyday German Bank Account.
- Check if your passport has enough validity on it. You will not be granted a visa if your passport is going to run out during the course of your studies. It may, therefore, be necessary to renew your passport before you apply for your visa, even if it still has two years left on it.
- Access our comprehensive Study in Germany Checklist to ensure you have all the required documents and stay on top of key deadlines. With our checklist, you’re far less likely to overlook important details, increasing the likelihood that your visa application will be accepted. Missing or incorrect documents are among the most common causes of visa processing delays.
- Do not confuse having a student visa with having a resident’s permit (Aufenthaltstitel). If a residency permit is what you need, check our German Permanent Residency Permit page.
- UK residents need to apply for a student visa to study in Germany if they plan to stay in the country for more than 90 days.
Find Out How to Apply for a Student Residence Permit in Germany.
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