- Do I need visa?
- What is a Student Visa?
- How can I get a visa?
- Success rate
- Visa requirements
- Fees
- Processing time
- When should I apply?
- How long is the visa valid?
- Can I work with a student visa?
Video Course
How To Get Your German Student Visa Application Done — Quickly and Stress-Free
27 videos
incl. Checklist + PDF + Template
Let us get straight to the point: if you want to study in Germany and you are from outside of Europe, you will most probably need a visa! We know that many students are extremely worried about this procedure, as it involves a lot of bureaucracy. That is why we decided to provide you with the answers to the key questions regarding German student visas that we often receive from you. And our answers are as simple and concise as possible!
It is our goal to inform you honestly and accurately, therefore, we need to add a DISCLAIMER:
You should use this text as a general guide, but it cannot be a legal consultation. The visa regulations are made and executed by the Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt), Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), and the local Foreigners’ Offices (Ausländerbehörde). Please be aware: Some rules and procedures can vary from embassy/consulate to embassy/consulate (even within one country), and from Ausländerbehörde to Ausländerbehörde in Germany. That is why we highly recommend you also consult the German representation abroad near you, and the local Foreigners’ Office in Germany (which Ausländerbehörde is responsible for you depends on your residence in Germany) for information that applies to your case.
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Who needs a visa to study in Germany?
Whether you need a student visa or not depends on your citizenship. Actually, the countries are divided into three groups based on the need for a visa to study in Germany. Those groups are:
1
EU member states, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland
Citizens of EU member states, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland do NOT need any visa. Students from these countries can enter Germany with their national IDs and do not have to go through any visa application process prior to their move to Germany. The only bureaucratic step you will have to do is register your address with the Resident Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) after your arrival in Germany.
2
Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the USA, the UK, Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco, and San Marino
Citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the USA, the UK, Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco, and San Marino do NOT need a visa to enter Germany and do not have to go through any visa application process prior to their move to Germany. Students from these countries simply have to register their address with the Resident Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) and apply for a residence permit within 90 days after their arrival in Germany. In order to apply for the residence permit, they will probably need to have all documents that are usually required for a student visa, including the blocked account.
3
All other countries
Citizens of the remaining countries need a visa to enter Germany. If this applies to you, you have to apply for a visa in your country of residence. After your arrival in Germany, you additionally have to register your address with the Resident Registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) and get your residence permit.
Note: Click here to find the most up-to-date information.
Thereby, if you fall into the first category, you do not need a visa to study in Germany. The same is true for the second category, with the exception that, in this case, you still need to apply for a residence permit after arrival to Germany. As for the third category, if it applies to you, then you will always need a student visa.
|
Group 1 |
Group 2 |
Group 3 |
|
No visa or residence permit needed |
No visa needed, but residence permit (after arrival) |
Always need a student visa |
What is a German Student Visa?
A student visa for Germany is a type of visa which you can get if you have applied to a study program at a German university and received a letter of admission (also known as a letter of acceptance) from that program. The study course that entitles you to a German student visa might be offered by various types of higher education institutions in Germany, like Universities, Universities of Applied Sciences and Academies of Arts, Music, and Film.
How can I get a German student visa?
The procedure for applying for a study visa for Germany may vary slightly from country to country. Despite this, you have to know about SEVEN simple steps to get a German student visa:
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Find the German Embassy/Consulate responsible for your student visa application. You can find the German mission near you here
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Visit the website of the Embassy/Consulate, go to "National Visa"/"Long Term Visa" section, click on the "student visa" category and familiarize yourself with all of the requirements
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Book a visa appointment
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Submit the required documents. On your appointment day, take all of the documents to the embassy/consulate and submit them
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Pay the visa fee
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Go through the interview process
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Wait for the response (approval or rejection)
Germany Student Visa: Success Rate
Actually, it is quite easy to get a German student visa. As per our research conducted in 2022, the German student visa success rate is around 95%. In other words, approximately 95 out of 100 students succeed in their German student visa application. Thus, it is very unlikely that your application for the study visa will be rejected. All you need to do is to complete the seven basic steps correctly. After you do that, your chances of getting a visa to study in Germany are very high.
Germany student visa requirements
Keep in mind that the documents that you will need for your student visa application may vary from country to country. Here is the list of the core documents that you usually need to submit to apply for a German study visa:
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Completed application form
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Valid Passport and copy of its data page
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Recent biometric photos
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Acceptance letter from German university
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Proof of financial resources (e.g. blocked account* 💰)
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CV
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Proof of preliminary health insurance that covers the first 3 months in Germany. At this point, travel insurance usually suffices. In Germany, you will have to get an insurance plan with one of the private or public providers that cover the rest of your stay
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Proof of language skills: present a language certificate or proof that you plan to attend a language course in Germany before starting your studies (in English or German)
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Certificates of past academic achievements, e.g. Bachelor’s degree, secondary school degree.
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Note: All of the documents should be submitted as originals with two attached copies.
Once again: it is crucial to check the websites of the embassies/consulates as the requirements might vary. For example, the German Embassy in Georgia requires two biometric photos not older than a year, while the German Embassy in India requires three photos not older than half a year.
Advice Box
It is always a good idea to create a checklist for the required documents so that you do not miss any one of them during your visa application. Why? Because if the requested documentation package is not complete, your application might be rejected.
How much does a German visa cost?
A German student visa costs 75€ (37.5€ for minors, i.e. those who are less than 18 years old). Students have to pay the money in the local currency. As for the payment methods, these vary from country to country. In some cases, you will need to pay in cash only, in other cases with a credit card, yet in other cases, only a demand draft might be acceptable. In general, if your application is rejected, you cannot get your money back. Put another way, the visa fee is non-refundable.
Interestingly, in some countries, students who have a scholarship from a German public institution (e.g. DAAD) do not have to pay any visa processing fees.
Advice Box
As you need to pay the fee in the local currency, we suggest you check the up-to-date exchange rates before visiting the embassy/consulate.
Germany student visa: Processing time
Processing time for a German student visa might take around 2-3 months. In some countries, the processing time for students who have a scholarship from a German public institution (e.g. DAAD) is significantly reduced! Keep in mind that there is no universal processing time that applies to all cases. In some countries, German student visa processing time takes 4 weeks, in others, it might take 8 weeks, yet in others, it can even be 12 weeks. Thus, it is of utmost importance to apply for the visa as soon as possible in order to be in Germany on time!
Click here to check out our table, where you can find the exact processing time required for specific countries.
When should I apply for a German student visa?
You should apply for a German student visa as soon as possible! Do not wait until you receive your admission letter. Book an appointment at the embassy/consulate soon after you apply for the study program. Why? Because in some countries, it is extremely challenging to get an appointment soon enough to arrive in Germany on time. And Covid-19 made it even more challenging.
Hence, in addition to the long processing time, getting a visa appointment also takes quite a lot of time! This, in turn, means that it might take several months before you have the visa in your hands. Thereby, to increase your chances of arriving in Germany before the start of the semester, you need to act swiftly.
Advice Box
Check out the possibility of applying for the Student Applicant Visa. Get in touch with the German embassy/consulate responsible for your visa application and ask them whether they can issue this type of visa. If the answer is positive, then it is very unlikely that you will miss the start of the semester!
How long is the German student visa valid?
The study visa for Germany is usually issued for 3 months (and occasionally for 6 months). During this period of time, the student has to arrive in Germany and complete the necessary bureaucratic procedures. Among them, to apply for a residence permit. You can convert your 3-months visa to a residence permit, which is valid for the duration of your studies (i.e. usually one to three years). If you do not manage to finalize your studies within the standard period of time, you can also extend your residence permit.
Can I work in Germany with a student visa?
Yes, you can work in Germany with a student visa! Your study visa allows you to work in Germany, but this permission comes with some limitations. According to German law, international students can work in Germany for 280 days per year part-time or 140 days per year full-time.
Note: before March 1, 2024, foreign students were allowed to work 240 days per year part-time or 120 days per year full-time.
Summary Box
- If you come from outside of Europe, most probably you need a German student visa;
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Always check the website of the local German Embassy/Consulate to find out about the country-specific procedures and requirements;
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German student visa success rate is around 95%;
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You have to pay 75€ for the German study visa;
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The processing time is approximately between 4 to 12 weeks;
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You should apply for the student visa as soon as possible;
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You convert your student visa to a residence permit, which is valid for the duration of your studies;
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You can work in Germany with your student visa.
