For international students, who have already received a letter of admission from their preferred German university, the next big requirement is to obtain a student visa. To apply for a visa, an aspirant will need to complete all the relevant documentation, which also involves submitting a cover letter for a German student visa. Thus, to make a cover letter for visa application Germany, students need to know the best way.
The cover letter is a very important document that every international student needs to attach with other certificates to meet the eligibility criteria. It is an important document for visa processing and students shouldn’t ignore it when applying for their visas.
Through a cover letter for student visa applications in Germany, the officials handling their visa applications get to know them better. It is true that there are other documents that need to be submitted but a cover letter conveys all the information about the aspirant that is not communicated through the documents. Thus, it is a significant step in their study abroad dream but before they draft a German student visa cover letter, they should know everything about it for a visa in Germany.
A cover letter is an important document that needs to be presented at the time of visa documentation. A cover letter sheds light on information like the purpose of visit, why an aspirant wants to study abroad in Germany, and describes the student’s choice of course. It is a formal document and has a particular format that needs to be followed. In the nutshell, a cover letter that encapsulates the purpose of the visit to Germany is described. Since the number of international students traveling abroad exceeds the number of officials for face-to-face interviews, the importance of a cover letter for student visa applications shouldn’t be undermined.
Visas applications and cover letters are not just limited to Germany. These are applicable for every foreign visit because the officials of a foreign country would be interested in knowing a few details about an individual traveling and the purpose of their journey. The main purpose of such verification is to reduce the possibility of any kind of threat from a foreign visitor. Apart from stating the purpose of their trip, they must also disclose details regarding the funding of their course in Germany. Moreover, students applying for studying at the university should state whether they have transferred € 10,356 to their German blocked account.
Why is a cover letter important?
Germany is a popular study abroad destination for international students. Every year, the German embassies receive millions of cover letters for German student visas. It is, in fact, a daunting task to conduct one-on-one interviews with such a large number of candidates. Therefore, a cover letter plays an important role in helping officials make a final decision on a student’s visa application.
What should a Cover Letter for a German Student Visa Contain?
The main purpose of a German student visa cover letter is to convince the German officials of a student’s candidature. There are some very common guidelines for drafting a cover letter for a student visa application. Have a look at everything that you must include in your cover letter for a student visa in Germany:
Introduction
Previous academic and professional background
The reason for visiting Germany for higher studies
Present financial condition
A list of documents that a student has attached with their cover letter
While drafting a cover letter for a German national visa be very formal and precise. To begin with, writing the introduction can be challenging. It can be intimidating to put the first few words on a blank paper. But keep the introduction short and interesting. This is not a part of your thesis or project, so the applicant should not elaborate much. Be concise and write simple sentences that do justice to their profile. Draft the introduction in a few lines and it should give a decent outline of their profile. In a nutshell, it is a synopsis of their intent to pursue a particular course at the German University and how equipped they are financially and academically to pursue the course.
Moreover, a cover letter for a student visa application Germany should state in a detailed manner alongside their academic achievements. Students should come across as ambitious in those few lines where they express their purpose of visit. Next comes the mention of the university and the course they are opting for. This part needs to be dealt with utmost clarity and precision. They also need to talk about their career plans in the cover letter. Be absolutely practical while discussing their career goals.
Sample Cover Letter for a Student Visa Application
Students would be in a position to draft a better cover letter for a student visa application Germany with the help of the following samples.
Sample 1:
Date: – XX/XX/XXXX
To, The Visa Officer [Name of German Embassy/Consulate] [Address of German Embassy/Consulate]
Subject: Application for a Student Visa to pursue (course) at (the desirable university)
Respected Ma’am/Sir, I, XXX, holding an Indian passport, number XXX, would like to submit my application for a German National Student Visa as I intend to pursue my (course). Upon completing (last acquired degree) (mention the percentage). I stepped into the corporate world as a Manager which helped me to enhance my managerial and critical thinking skills by working at Accenture. After successfully collaborating with other stakeholders, I received the opportunity to work with KPMG as a Senior Manager. Furthermore, after handling various verticals and receiving a plethora of accolades for achieving my targets, I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge of the subject. To realize my dream of studying (program name) at the (university), I have planned my finances. My father is a successful businessman with an income of ₹50,000 per month. I have worked meticulously for the last year to increase my savings. Furthermore, I have decided to fund my education via an education loan. To take care of my living expenses, I have a German blocked account of € 10,356.
Being a commerce student, understanding the dynamics of finance is the right career decision for me. A (course) would offer me an edge. Moreover, the course would equip me with the best know-how and hands-on experience. Choosing (university name) is a prudent choice for me as it offers a dual degree for (course). I firmly believe that the course taught by professors will provide me with an unparalleled learning experience that will help me gain cognizance of the fundamentals emphasized in the course offered by (university name).
Germany is recognized for providing foreign students with practical learning opportunities from wealthy business leaders. I will gain a chance to explore international markets while studying in Germany as I would receive hands-on experience. In addition, I would have the opportunity to converse and learn from students of an array of ethnicities.
A German degree can fulfill my goal of contributing to a part of the premium workforce. I hope the visa officer considers my candidature positively to pursue my desired program.
Sincerely, (Name)
Sample 2:
My name is XYZ, and I would like to submit my application with all the necessary documents for obtaining a student visa for two years. I plan to move to Germany to enhance my career prospects by pursuing higher education. I have been granted admission at ABC University for the Bachelor/Master program for the Fall/Winter/Summer/Spring intake in the year.
I am attaching the required documents to support my visa application-
Application form
Copy of passport
Acceptance letter from a German university
Academic transcript
Bank account statement proof for sufficient funds
Health insurance proof
Document authenticity declaration
IELTS score
German language proficiency document (if required)
Kindly consider my student visa application and grant me permission to study in Germany.
Yours sincerely, XYZ
Formatting Your Cover Letter
A cover letter for a German student visa is an official document and must follow a specific format. There is a format that the officials in embassies follow for quick scanning of the documents, and it is advised that the aspirants follow the same. If students do not format their cover letter well, it might end up looking unprofessional. So, here’s how they should format their cover letter:
The date should always be at the very top left corner.
Mention the German embassy’s name
Mention all the personal details, like name, address and passport number.
Address the official.
Mention relevant educational and professional work experience.
Write down the course name and university in Germany where they are seeking admission.
Wrap it up in a respectful manner.
Lastly, pen down their email address and contact.
Some Tips for a Formally Drafted Cover Letter:
Be precise
Keep it short and to the point. The cover letter should have all the information in a few lines. Students should write down their purpose of visit and other required information on a single cover letter page. Choose a formal tone and the right order of words.
Pay attention to the format
A formal document has an order, sequence, and format. The format is followed by the officials while checking the applications. If a student does not follow the format, their cover letter might confuse the officials while scanning their visa application.
Seek advice
Try and get help from someone who is already studying in Germany. They will help students with the basics and offer ideas to make their cover letters more persuasive.
Some Common Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid:
Mistakes in a cover letter may result in straightaway rejection of a student’s visa application. Since there is a cut-throat competition among international students who want to study in Germany, you cannot afford to commit any mistakes. There are some very common mistakes that students end up committing, and since this is going to be your first time applying for a student visa, they need to be careful.
Too personal
A formal cover letter should not be very personal and must not include requests. It should talk about their ambition of studying in Germany. Students should keep their tone formal yet polite to make sure they get a chance. Do not use informal words or phrases.
Spelling and grammatical errors
Be careful and check thoroughly for language errors before submitting the cover letter. Use simple words, and do not go for difficult vocabulary that might increase the risk of spelling mistakes. Simple and precise sentences without any careless mistakes will work best for them.
Mistake in the format
Always follow the cover letter format properly. It should be in the right order. Do not get confused with the structure of the cover letter that the German embassy officials want to be follow.
Comparison between Cover letter, Statement of Purpose, and Motivation Letter
Every document have its purpose, and even though it may confuse students, all of them are equally important and serve a unique purpose. So, if a student is applying for a visa, they should know about all three. Here’s the difference between a cover letter, statement of purpose, and motivation letter.
Cover Letter
It is an important document that every international student must attach with other certificates to meet the eligibility criteria. It is an important requirement for visa processing, and students shouldn’t ignore it when applying for their visas, until the requirement is raised. A good cover letter is enough to spark the interest of a visa officer.
It presents a student’s personality and ambitions to the admissions committee and the visa officer. There are two types of SOPs for admission purposes and the other for visa applications. An SOP is critical for a visa as it presents your intention to go to another country for studies.
Motivation Letter
As the name suggests, it is a letter that a student will have to write to the visa officer mentioning all the factors that motivated you to apply for higher education in Germany. They will have to meticulously explain how studying in Germany (or any other country) will enable them to achieve your ambitions. In this document, they will have to explain their long-term goals.
A cover letter is an important document that plays a significant role in visa application approval. With a sound understanding of what a cover letter is, its essentials, content and common mistakes, it will be easy for students to draft the right one. And once they have completed their education there, a personal covering letter for a German employment visa will make sure they explore coveted work opportunities in Germany.
A cover letter is an important document that plays a significant role in visa application approval. Now that you know what a cover letter is, its essentials, content and common mistakes, it will be easy for you to draft the right one. And once you have completed your education there, a personal covering letter for a German employment visa will make sure you explore coveted work opportunities in Germany. You can also connect with the upGrad Abroad team for the best assistance regarding a cover letter for a German student visa.
A student will have to add several paragraphs in the body of the letter, and each paragraph will discuss different aspects of their aims and profile. Please keep in mind that their Cover Letter should not be the same as your SOP or essay detailing their future objectives. It should contain the following information:
Introduction
Educational Brief
Employment History Reason for Choosing a particular course and desired university
Why Germany
Financial Standing and Brief
Concluding Paragraph
What are the chances of German student visa rejections?
Germany is well known for its tuition-free education system. Therefore, the fact that a poor financial situation is the most frequent cause of a student visa being denied may surprise many overseas students. The German government wants to make sure a student has enough financial assistance to cover other living expenditures like housing, food, transit, and other costs. The German government wants students to concentrate on achieving high academic standards rather than taking jobs to make ends meet or, worse still, engaging in criminal activity. Due to this, the primary ground for denying a student visa to Germany is a lack of sufficient financial means to support oneself there.
With over 12 years of experience in the education sector, Harjeet specializes in study abroad counseling and visa management. She has a proven ability to guide students through university applications and visa processes, ensuring strict adherence to immigration laws. Her leadership background includes managing and mentoring teams, conducting training, and overseeing recruitment. As a Visa Manager, Harjeet excels in leading teams to efficiently process visas for multiple countries, driving operational excellence, and fostering strong partnerships with visa processing vendors.