Student visa Germany: What do I need to know for the visa application?

More and more young people from abroad are coming to Germany for studies. German thinkers shaped philosophy centuries ago, and German mechanical engineering is an international export hit! German universities are renowned worldwide – they are good and affordable! Furthermore, many young people come to Germany to take a language course. But what should you keep in mind if you are not from the Schengen Area and want to apply for a student visa for Germany? Make sure to choose the right visa category for your studies in Germany! We will explain it to you!

What is a student visa?

If you come from a non-Schengen country and need a visa, you will need a visa for Germany for your studies or language course. However, the length of your stay is crucial: for example, if your language course at a university lasts less than three months, you only need a Schengen visa Type C. If your study stay is longer, you will need a Schengen visa Type D, also known as a national visa.

What options are there to apply for a student visa for Germany?

As mentioned, there are three options depending on the duration of your stay in Germany:

• German language course visa: If you are coming to Germany for a language course or for several weeks of research and will be staying for up to three months, the regular Schengen Visa C is sufficient.
• German student visa: If you are coming to Germany for more than three months to attend a semester or even a full study program at a German university, you will need a Schengen Visa D. It is a national visa and the standard student visa for international students.
• German prospective student visa: This student visa allows you to stay in Germany to apply for university admission in person, wait for admission, or learn about study opportunities in Germany.

Good to know: The prospective student visa only allows participation in the application process, not studying!

Language course in Germany: What should you consider for stays under three months?

If your language course or the multi-week research lasts less than three months, the Schengen Visa C for your educational stay in Germany will suffice. What is especially important here is to clearly state your purpose of travel in the application for your Schengen visa and apply for the visa well in advance. The Schengen visa C can be applied for three to six months before the planned stay. Make sure to take advantage of this period and ensure that you have your Schengen visa C in hand in time so that nothing will stand in the way of your study stay!

Good to know: Be honest about the purpose of your trip to the Schengen Area. If your trip is for study purposes, you should apply for a student visa for Germany, not a tourist visa!

Where can I apply for a student visa for Germany?

Whether you are applying for a Schengen visa or the national visa as a student visa for Germany, in both cases, the German diplomatic mission in your country is your point of contact. In countries such as Russia, China, or Turkey, the German diplomatic missions work with an official service provider to facilitate quick processing of the applications.

For your visa application, you must schedule an appointment with the respective diplomatic mission or with the partner agency. A personal appearance is required because your fingerprints will be taken for the visa application. Bring all necessary documents to your appointment. Make sure to inform yourself in advance about how to apply for a Schengen visa.

Good to know: The approval of a student visa for Germany takes several weeks, sometimes even longer, so you should apply for your visa well in advance!

What are the requirements for a student visa?

In addition to the regular application documents for a Schengen visa, the proof of financial means, the proof of university admission, and a proof of your previous education play an important role for the student visa for Germany. You must also prove that you will leave the country!

1. Proof of financial means

When applying for a student visa for Germany, it is essential to prove that you can afford your stay in Germany. Therefore, you must always provide proof of sufficient financial means for the student visa application, as you will be staying in Germany for several months! This is done in the form of a blocked account. You set up a blocked account with a bank provider and deposit 10,236 euros. The deposit confirmation of the amount on the blocked account serves as proof that you can finance your long-term stay. You are allowed to withdraw 853 euros per month.

2. Proof of university admission

This refers to the admission confirmation from a German university. This also means that you must have the equivalent of university entrance qualifications in your country to apply for a student visa for Germany. You must provide proof of your original school diploma and completed university courses. Depending on the course of study, you may also need to provide proof of your German or English language skills.

What other documents do I need for a student visa for Germany?

In addition to the additional proof of university admission and sufficient financial means, you will need the following regular documents for a visa application at a German diplomatic mission.

Checklist for your student visa for Germany:

• The completed visa application form
• A valid passport that is valid for at least three months after leaving Germany and has at least two blank pages for the visa
• Two biometric passport photos
• A copy of the biometric data of your passport (fingerprints)
• A proof of accommodation during your studies in Germany
• A health insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros for medical emergencies and hospital stays

How long can a foreign student study in Germany?

If you come to Germany for your studies and will stay longer than three months, you should apply for the Schengen Visa Type D, the national visa. The special thing about this visa is that it is extendable and can be converted into a residence permit. In this case, you can stay in Germany for your entire course of study as a foreign student.

How can AXA help me with my visa application?

The AXA Schengen Health Insurance offers different travel insurance options that are recognized by all consulates and embassies of Schengen countries. There is a low-cost insurance starting from 22 euros per week, a Europe health insurance “Europe Travel” with additional services for 33 euros per travel week, and an annual AXA Schengen “Multi Trip” insurance for frequent travelers. The low-cost and Europe Travel travel health insurances can be purchased for up to 180 days within the Schengen Area and meet the requirements for Schengen visas.

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FAQ: Student Visa for Germany

Where can I apply for a student visa for Germany?

You can apply for the student visa directly at the German diplomatic missions. In some countries, embassies and consulates also work with official partners to speed up the visa application process.

What is a student visa?

There are three types of student visas in Germany. The student visa for Germany is the standard visa for international students who have been admitted to a German university and will pursue a full-time degree.

What is a blocked account for the student visa in Germany?

If you are staying long-term in Germany as an international student, you must be able to prove sufficient financial resources. For this purpose, you need to set up a blocked account and deposit 10,236 euros. The deposit confirmation serves as proof.