Once admission has been granted, to enter Germany, international students need to obtain a German student visa, also referred to as the National German Visa. This article will guide you through the process, the German student visa requirements, the documents needed, processing time, and other details.
Although there are plenty of reasons to study in Germany, we have narrowed it down to include the five top factors that make it an ideal study destination.
Renowned universities
Known for offering quality education, German universities are recognized globally. Some of these universities are Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Heidelberg University, Technical University of Munich, University of Bonn, and Hamburg.
Diverse study programs
The country offers a wide range of disciplines at each level of study; Bachelor’s, master and Ph.D. Some of these disciplines include Arts and Humanities, Biology and Biochemistry, Computer Science, Clinical Medicine, etc.
English-taught programs
The most significant advantage of pursuing higher studies in Germany is that not being familiar with the German language does not create a hindrance to learning. Most German universities offer English-taught programs for the ease of international students. Some of these universities are Heidelberg University, Technical University of Munich, and Free University of Berlin
Lower tuition fees
The tuition fees of German universities are comparatively lower than in other countries. Public universities offer free education where students are only required to pay the administrative fees per semester.
Scholarships
Depending on your financial situation, you can apply for scholarships to fund your studies in Germany. For international students, major scholarships in Germany are DAAD Scholarship, Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship, and Erasmus Scholarship.
Stay-back option
International graduates can stay in Germany for upto 1.5 years post degree completion to work or look for work opportunities and gain relevant experience. Due to the shortage of skilled professionals, the country has relaxed its immigration laws. Some immigrants are eligible to seek permanent residency after working for two years.
Candidates are accepted into language preparatory courses lasting three months to a year.
Student Applicant Visa
This visa is for those who have either not chosen their study program or have not received the confirmation letter from their university.
German Student Visa
Candidates who have already been accepted into a university program must obtain this visa. A German student visa costs around €75.
Requirements for Obtaining a German Student Visa
Duly filled out and signed the national visa application form
A valid national passport
Birth certificate
Minimum three recent passport-sized photographs
Proof of financial resources shows a deposit confirmation of 11,208 euros at a German blocked bank account (The amount may vary as per revised government guidelines). This account proves you have enough funds to live in Germany for one year. In case you have a scholarship that covers your living expenses, furnish the scholarship awarding certificate that shows the amount of costs it covers.
Proof of university admission. "Zulassungsbescheid" confirms enrollment in the program and states your start date for studies and the language of instruction. In case of a conditional offer letter, one needs to submit “Bedingter Zulassungsbescheid” and a confirmed intensive course “Intensiv-Sprachkurs”. The letter must show you’re conditioned and confirmed to participate in an intensive language course before getting the final university admission. You will also need a letter from ‘Uni-Assist’.
Evidence of previous education; Original school-leaving certificate, Degree certificate
You also need student health insurance. You can opt for public health insurance or choose private insurance providers. Those in language courses or over the age of 30 are not eligible for public health insurance.
University entrance qualification. The term "university entrance qualification" refers to a group of documents that demonstrate your prior academic success and grant you admission to higher education program in Germany.
English (IELTS/TOEFL) or German Language Proficiency Certificate
German law requires everyone to have health insurance, including international students. While students enrolled in degree programs are eligible to take public health insurance such as the Techniker Krankenkasse, students in preparatory or language courses and those over the age of 30 are required to get private health insurance plans. Health insurance for international students costs from €103.94 – €111.75 per month.
How to Apply for a Student Visa in Germany
Once you have been accepted to a program in Germany, you can start the process of acquiring a student visa for Germany. The steps to apply for a German student visa are as follows-
Step 1:Open a Blocked Account: This account will help you provide the proof required to establish your financial means to pursue an education in Germany as an international student. You can open a blocked account in India with Kotak Mahindra Bank, Deutsche Bank, Capital India Finance Ltd., and Drop Money. You need to deposit money amounting to 11,208 euros, which is the presumed annual requirement for living expenses in Germany.
Step 2: APS Certificates: Indian applicants need to get their academic records assessed by APS (Academic Evaluation Center) to obtain authenticity certificates before applying for a German student visa. APS certificate is typically issued within two weeks after submitting the documents and is valid indefinitely. It will cost around INR 18,000.
Step 3:Document Checklist: Ensure that all documents are handy before filling out the visa application form.
Step 4: Fill the Application: Go to the German Embassy website in India and download the visa application form. Also, download the ‘Declaration of true and complete information’ and submit it along with the required documents. Pay the visa application fee ( €75).
Step 5: Schedule an Interview: Once you submit the application, book an appointment for a visa interview. Depending on certain conditions you will need to either set up the interview through the VFS Global portal (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/deu/book-an-appointment) and visit the VFS Global center for an interview or set up an appointment with the German consulate.
You can submit the application for a visa directly at VFS Global if -
German Embassy in New Delhi or the German Consulate General in Mumbai, Chennai or Bengaluru have jurisdiction over your application, and
Want to pursue master, doctoral, post-doctorate education, and
Have an unconditional admission letter, or
Have been awarded a full scholarship by an official German Institution for higher studies in Germany
In case you want to pursue bachelor programs or language courses, submit your application directly at the relevant German Mission.
Processing Time for German Student Visa
Visa issuance can take several weeks in some cases, so it’s important to apply early on even if a university acceptance letter is awaited. Typically, it takes up to 25 days for German student visa processing.
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List of German Consulates in India
Based on your location, you can apply at the relevant German consulate. You cannot apply to a consulate outside of your assigned geographical area.
All international students must register with the local residents‘ registration office – usually within one week.
Getting a Residence Permit
For international students pursuing study in Germany for more than 90 days, they also have to go to the foreigners’ registration office (or the Ausländerbehörde) in the city to apply for a residence permit. The permit is issued in the form of an electronic card integrated chip that holds certain data, such as your passport photo and fingerprints.
Post the completion of studies, international graduates in Germany are eligible to work there. These graduates can apply for an 18-month Job Seeking Visa, popularly known as a post-study work visa. For this duration, the candidates are free to work as much as they like and pursue any job to support themselves until they find stable employment in their respective fields.
When to Apply for Your Post-Study Work Visa
One should apply for a post-study work visa before the student visa expires. Graduates should seek work during their last semester because the 18-month extended work period starts as soon as they obtain their final exam results.
With upGrad Abroad, you can study programs such as International Management and Computer Science at one of the renowned German universities, the International University of Applied Sciences (IU). The advantage of choosing upGrad Abroad as your study partner is getting an IELTS waiver. You get the flexibility to start your study program online for a specific duration and then switch to on-campus study. Apart from that, you would be eligible for a post-study work permit after graduation.
Yes, an IELTS score is recommended for a German student visa if one has enrolled in an English-taught course in Germany. The score is also recommended as part of the university application.
What is the minimum IELTS score required for a German student visa?
The minimum IELTS score for a German student visa ranges from 6 to 6.5. Undergraduate course aspirants should aim for at least IELTS 6.0 with individual module scores of at least 5.5. At the same time, the average score for postgraduate programs should be 6.0-6.5.
What is the processing time for a German student visa?
Depending on the consulate undertaking your visa application, the processing time may vary from 10 days to 10 weeks. The German Embassy in Delhi receives the most visa applications.
Can I work part-time in Germany on a German Study Visa?
Yes, you can get part-time jobs in Germany on your German Study Visa. However, you can only work for 120 full days each year or 240 half days. Additionally, there is a 20-hour/week cap for international students. The rules for international students also state that they are not allowed to be self-employed or work as freelancers. If international students need to work more to support themselves, they must seek additional permits from the Agentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) and the Ausländerbehörde (foreigners’ office). However, as an exception, academic assistants have no cap on working hours.
How much does a German student visa cost?
Indian students will have to pay the visa application fee of €75 while applying for the same. Only upon payment is the registration complete.
Is a German student visa easy to get?
As many as 90% of student visa applications from India are approved by Germany. As of 2022, around 66,000 Indian students were studying in Germany. So, if you are able to secure admission and meet all the requirements, your chances of getting a German student visa are high.
Can I get PR in Germany after study?
Yes, studying in Germany can certainly culminate in PR or permanent residency. The country allows you an 18-month stay-back option to look for employment. Securing employment and spending at least five years in Germany is one of the prerequisites of a PR.
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.
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