Germany is the best choice for ambitious students who are searching for good and affordable bachelor’s and master’s degrees from all over the world. The globally reputed public University system and the best research institutes in the world backed by the government support provide every student with an opportunity to think big and innovate. This is the reasoning for good innovation and highly competitive labor supply coming from Germany. Due to the highest standard of education, no tuition fees, modern technology, developed country, rich culture, Germany is highly popular among students from all over the world.
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Germany is the best choice for ambitious students who are searching for good and affordable bachelor’s and master’s degrees from all over the world. The globally reputed public University system and the best research institutes in the world backed by the government support provide every student with an opportunity to think big and innovate. This is the reasoning for good innovation and highly competitive labor supply coming from Germany. Due to the highest standard of education, no tuition fees, modern technology, developed country, rich culture, Germany is highly popular among students from all over the world.
Each year, the number of foreign people choosing Germany for their studies from abroad is growing. Before they can come to Germany to study, most international students will probably need to get a German student visa at the German consulate in their country.
You may be excluded from the requirement for a visa to study in Germany, based on the location you come from, but you are still expected to obtain a residency permit for studies lasting longer than 90 days, once you have arrived in Germany.
Do you need a Student visa to Study in Germany ?
You need to have a Schengen visa during studies which last for up to 3 months.
You need a German national visa for studies those last upwards of 3 months.
If you reach Germany on a national visa, you must prolong your stay by obtaining a study permit from the Foreign Office in Germany. You can do this when it is still valid for your entry visa.
The very first step you have to do is figure out if you need a visa as an international student to study in Germany, and when you do, what kind of visa you will need apply for, taking into account the duration and scope of your expected studies.
Different Types of Study Visas in Germany?
For a number of study levels and degrees, applicants will be given a German student visa. It encompasses undergraduate, internship, Bachelors, or Master studies. This often requires enrollment in a pre-academic course or a non-academic language course in German.
Mainly there are 3 types of Germany student visa you can apply to Germany
Study Visa Requirements for a Student
The important documents and requirements for your Germany student visa process are as follows :
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Visa Application Documents.
- Signed Application and declaration forms.
- Passport valid for more than 6 months.
- 2 copies of your passport.
- Proof of residence if your passport address and present place of residence is different.
- Your marriage certificate. (If applicable).
- Your child’s certificate of birth. (If applicable).
- Your recent passport-style photographs, Biometric Photos. (3 Nos).
- Previous Schengen visa.(IF applicable).
- Previous German resident permit.
Proof of Financial Resources “Finanzierungsnachweis”.
(You can give any one of the following)
- €10,236 deposit confirmation at a German blocked bank account.
We are collaborating with Expatrio and we can guide you in this regard, they are one of the best service providers. Inbox us for any information regarding Blocked account opening. - Letter of sponsorship by a German resident “Verpflichtungserklärung”. This document is given from the Alien’s Registration Office, by the person who is staying in Germany.
- Scholarship certificate or Award Certificates . It should cover your costs for study or you must have another document to cover the rest of the cost. This can be again any from the list given.
- Bank guarantee. Given from a recognised German Institution or a firm in Germany.
Important Tip: To Highly Increase Your Chances of Getting Your Student Visa You Should Use a Blocked Account as Proof of Financial Resources.
A blocked account is a type of bank account for international students who wants to study in Germany, it helps you to prove you have enough funds to live in Germany for one year during your studies. (12 Months)
As of 2020, it is estimated that a foreign student in Germany will spend an average of €863 euros per month at a minimum for living expenses. So, you need to have €10,356 in your bank account before applying for a German student visa. `
Proof of Admission from a University in Germany.
- Proof of admission “Zulassungsbescheid”. Acceptance by a recognized educational institution in Germany, which proves your study dates and entry requirement to Germany.
- Proof of conditional admission “Bedingter Zulassungsbescheid” and a confirmed committed intensive course “Intensiv-Sprachkurs”. The letter must show you’re asked to participate compulsory in an intensive language course before getting an university admission. The course must last for more than 6 months, with not less than 18 hours of lessons in a week.
Proof of conditional university admission.
- Letter from “uni-assist”.
- Proof of admission as an applicant.
- Letter from university regarding conditions for final admission.
– Proof of having paid the language course. Accompanied by a confirmed place in the course at the language school. The payment must cover at least the initial 3 months.
Confirmation of admission in a university preparatory course “Studienkolleg”.
– Proof of conditional university admission.
- Letter from “uni-assist”.
- Proof of admission as an applicant.
- Letter from the university, regarding conditions for final admission.
– Proof of having been admitted as a participant in the course.
– Evidence of your earlier education.
- Original school-leaving certificate 12th or 13th year as per requirement.
- Degree certificate. (If you’re entering Master or PhD studies).
1. Student Health Insurance
Germany requires all students in Germany to have insurance
For students in Germany the government wants all students including foreign students, guest researchers, and language course students to be insured with public or private insurance companies in Germany. Proof of health insurance is also an important requirement during your student visa and university enrolment process in Germany.
International students in Germany enrolled in a degree programme in most cases are eligible to obtain low-cost public insurance, if they are below 30 years old. For people above 30 years old while being a student they will have to take private insurance and if they are planning to do work during vacation they can obtain a Public insurance if the firm is taking them for full time work during their holiday period.
Health Insurance For Students From abroad In Germany
Students coming to Germany, who are mainly outside European union are asked to have health insurance during their studies in the university, it is instructed by German law. You need proof of health insurance to get enrolled at a Germany university and to get your student visa status updated. Students can get either the public insurance or private health insurance.
Public Insurance – No need to pay anything at Hospital, you can use your insurance card for almost all your urgent needs.
Private Insurance – Less cost but you need to pay initially for treatment and then re-impasse the amount later.
There are two types of health insurance in Germany:
- The compulsory health insurance (public)
- Private health insurance.
The students who are coming to Germany are instructed to have in one of the above depending on the place you are coming from. The best companies would be BARMER insurance and TK if you are opting for Public Insurance in Germany.
Health Insurance For Students in Language courses
If you are planning to learn the language in Germany then again the German law requires you to have health insurance that covers you from Germany.
Lots of students choose Germany as the country to learn the German language because it’s the language’s origin country and also it helps them to join a lot of bachelor and master programs in German language which are really good and free of cost. The only barrier between them and a great future is the Language and hence the demand for this area is huge.
Many top language schools offer language learning courses and programs that require you to stay from weeks to months in Germany, and while your stay in Germany you need to be insured under German insurance by law.
Health Insurance Students in Preparatory courses
Many universities give you admission to start a preparatory course in German then once you pass that you get admitted to the main course. Depending on your performance and conditions for admission You may or may not need the preparatory course. This completely depends on your former education and conditions on your visa.
If you are under this condition and doing your study in Germany, again by law you need to be enrolled under a German insurance scheme. Depending upon your need you can either take a Public insurance or a private insurance.
Health insurance is mandatory by legislation in Germany. This legislation states that all citizens of Germany, including foreign students, are expected to obtain medical insurance irrespective of their income.
When seeking health insurance, it is also very important to acknowledge the company and the way things are done. You should consider a realistic representation of every health care plan provided to you in order for you to really get the best possible deal.
A list of present public sector owned German health insurances for students:
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| Health Insurance | Health insurance premium per month |
| AOK Baden Württemberg | 107,29 € |
| Barmer GEK | 108,77 € |
| DAK – Gesundheit | 111,75 € |
| KKH – Kaufmännische Krankenkasse | 111,75 € |
| TK – Techniker Krankenkasse | 105,80 € |
2. Higher Education Entrance Qualification Requirement for GERMANY
What Is the German Higher Education Entrance Qualification?
For obtaining a position with other requirements the applicants may need to produce an entrance qualification for entry to studies, it is referred as Higher education entrance qualification. It is called Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB) in German.
For example in India it can be the secondary school certificate. In almost all Asian countries it is the Higher secondary school leaving certificate or the diploma certificate. ( Government recognized).
HZB usually consists of certificates from school leaving, such as graduation certificates, along with a list of all subjects / grades completed / attained in the previous studies. It may also be a certificate of higher education degree (i.e. a certificate granting a bachelor’s degree) followed by other educational certificates indicating the overall progress in studies , i.e. Grades transcripts.
HZB Types
These are the entitlements to take up higher education studies in Germany, depending on the previous study form and the state where you have completed those studies:
- General university admission “Allgemeine Hochschulreife” commonly referred to as General HZB.
- Subject-specific university admission “Fachgebundene Hochschulreife” commonly referred to as subject-specific HZB.
- Combined studies. If you’ve completed up to 2-year academic studies in a foreign country.
If the German authority does not accept your international university qualification, you will have to take part in a 1-year “Studienkolleg” foundation course as a preparation to take the “Feststellungsprüfung” university entrance test for acceptance. To be able to participate in the course and continue your studies in Germany, you must have a B1 level CEFR German language command.
If you are having a university entrance certificate from abroad, which is accepted in Germany for academic studies.
You have to provide the following documentation to show that your international university entrance qualification is accepted in Germany for further academic studies:
- Recognised or certified copies of your school-leaving certificate.
- Proof of equivalence of your foreign certificate with German standards (Anabin)
Normal Higher Education Qualification from a German School in your country.
This takes account of all school-leaving certificates taken from German schools operating in foreign countries.
These certificates are equally recognized as school-leaving certificates taken from German schools operating in Germany.
3. Proof of Language
German Language / English Language proficiency
When applying for an admission in German higher education, why do I need to prove my foreign language skills?
A Good form of German language and, or English language is an main element for your overall success in your academic studies in Germany.
International academic studies are also available, which are intended to cover lessons in the English language due to their international format. These services, however, mostly come in conjunction with teaching in the language of German or another foreign language at times.
That is why higher education providers in Germany still need applicants from abroad to prove that they have a recognised language certificate to prove their competence in those foreign languages. To fully integrate into the German society and learn about the country we would suggest that German language is an integral part of the system and we will ask each and every person wishing to come to Germany to start learning the language.
In Germany, what are the German language criteria for university studies?
You can not take part in an academic study course in Germany without a proper command of German, given that such a study course covers lessons taught entirely or partially in the native language of the country.
In order to prove your competency in the German language, you need to show a certificate for passing a recognised German language exam for certain academic studies. If not, you must be taught in such a language with an educational certificate to complete a recognised study program.
Compared to other study courses, a foreign study program in Germany usually includes a very simple command of the German language or no command at all. This is because the English language, as a language of instruction, occupies most of the study courses in English language.
What are German Language Skills for Bachelor’s Degree Studies?
To enroll in a Bachelor’s degree programme in Germany, which is taught in German, you must certify that you have a minimum C1 standard of CEFR or DSH II language skills.
What are German Language Skills for Master’s Degree Studies ?
Joining a Master’s German study programme requires knowledge of the German language of a DSH I or DSH II level or you will have to start as a language student at the university then join the master studies.
What are the German Language Skills for Doctoral Degree Studies?
As a foreign candidate for a doctoral degree in Germany, there are no special German language criteria.
The German language criteria for the start of a doctoral course in Germany are completely controlled by the admission departments of the University.
What certificates are approved to show German language proficiency for university studies in Germany?
Top Recognized Certificates by German Higher Education Institutions, as a Proof of German Language Proficiency of c1 Level of CEFR Are:
- DSH Certificate (Level 2-above).
- TestDaF Certificate (Minimum 4 points in 4 of its sections).
- GDS Certificate (C2 Level-above).
- Language Certificate of the Education Ministers’ Conference (Level 2 with C2 in each of its sections).
- Further Recognized Certificates as a Proof of German Language Are:
- German University Entrance Qualification “Abitur”.
- The Assessment Exam Certificate “Feststellungsprüfungszeugnis”.
Certificate of a Goethe-Institute Test. Proof of passing any of the following Goethe-Institute tests:
– New Goethe Certificate C2 Examination: Major German Language – Diploma.
– Any Previous Minor/Major German Language Tests.
– Goethe Institute Central Advanced Language Test (until 2011).
– Goethe-Zertifikat C2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom Examination (since 2012). - telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule Certification (which is equivalent to TestDaF).
- telc Deutch B1 Certification (accepted only by colleges of arts and music).
Österreichisches Sprachdiplom (ÖSD Zertifikat C1). - Certificates of Completing an Academic Study Degree in Germany Abroad (accepted not by all German higher education institutions).
Accepted Language Certificates for a Study Course Requiring a German Language of Level DSH I Are:
- DSH Certificate (Level 1-above).
- TestDaF Certificate (Minimum total 14 points).
- GDS Certificate (C1 Level-above).
- Certificate of passing the telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule.
- UNIcert III.
- Language Certificate of the Education Ministers’ Conference (Level 2 with C1 in each of its sections).
What are the conditions or requirements for university studies in English language?
Studying in Germany for an international university research programme implies a very strong command of the English language, a person who has done the studies in his home country in English can also use that as a proof of English proficiency.
Each higher education institution in Germany has its own criteria with respect to the English language proficiency of non-English speakers or students.
In Germany, a German language based study program typically requires a very simple command of English, or only German.
Recognized English Language Certificates for University Studies in Germany
Commonly accepted English language certificates as a proof of your proficiency in English language for academic studies in Germany are:
- Educational Certificate of an English-Speaking School. You must have completed at least 5 (B1) /6 (B2) schooling years in a school whose main language of instruction was English.
- IELTS Scores. You must have scored in the IELTS at least 4.5 (B1) or 5.0 (B2).
- Cambridge English Certificates. Any of the following, depending on the higher education institution’s requirement:
1. B1 Preliminary (rarely).
2. B2 First.
3. C1 Advanced.
4. C2 Proficiency. - TOEFL Scores. Evidence of having scored 450 (B1)/500 (B2) points in the PbT – paper based test, 130 (B1)/170 (B2) in CbT- computer based test, and 60 (B1)/80 (B2) in IbT-internet based test, when passing TOEFL.
- UNIcert® minimum I (B1) or II (B2).
- TOEIC certificate.
- University Entrance Qualifications obtained in an English-speaking country.
- University Degree obtained with a higher education of an English-speaking country.
When Should I Apply For a German Student Visa?
The best time to apply for a German student visa is shortly after the university letter of acceptance has been issued and the requisite funds for living and studying in Germany have been obtained.
This other important thing you must take care of is that you need to have evidence of financial resources through other means, such as getting the funds deposited in a blocked German account, if you have not been given an official scholarship.
How to apply for a German student Visa ?
You can apply for a student visa at your nearest German embassy once you have completed collecting all the necessary documents for submission.
When Should i Apply For a German Student Visa ?
The best time to apply for a German student visa is shortly after the university letter of acceptance has been issued and the requisite funds for living and studying in Germany have been obtained.
This other important thing you must take care of is that you need to have evidence of financial resources through other means, such as getting the funds deposited in a blocked German account, if you have not been given an official scholarship.
Student visa processing time for Germany?
On average, it takes around 4 weeks to 6 weeks for your German student visa application to be processed via German embassy. The processing time varies depending on the country and the submission of your documents.
All other German visa applications for study purpose are normally processed within 3 months.
German Student Application visa for applying at universities?
If you are preparing to go to Germany to apply for university admission in person, a German student applicant visa is the visa to apply for.
This visa is initially provided for a period of three months, but can, if necessary, be extended for a further six months upon your arrival in Germany.
If you receive an anticipated letter of admission to a full-time university study program or university preparatory step within six months, you will be able to transfer to a German student visa or student residence permit.
Steps to Get Your Student Residence Permit in Germany after Coming to Germany
1. Find a Place to stay. After your arrival or before from your home country find a suitable place of stay near your university. Many student hostels are available near your university but at times they may only be free in small numbers. So try other small renting companies nearby.
Register at the City Resident’s Office: Once you get your accommodation you need to register yourself at your nearest Local city resident office, Upon registration, you’ll be receiving the confirmation on registration “Meldebescheinigung”. This is your local id number that can be used for bank account opening and other government related things in Germany.
What are the required documents to register in Germany as an international student?
- Passport or national ID card.
- Rental contract.
- Filled form for submitting at the city office.
2. Finish the enrollment procedure at University. To be able to engage in studies further and get access to university services, you have to formally enroll at the university. This must be achieved within the time of graduation, within the time given to you in the letter of admission.
This procedure is called matriculation and is completed by submitting a list of documents to the student’s affairs office “Studentensekretariat” of your university. Also your first semester fees must be paid and you will receive the student card for travelling in and around the university.
The documents needed to finish the enrollment at the university as an international student are:
- Passport/national ID Card.
- Letter of admission in studies.
- University Entrance Qualification.
- Recent passport-sized photographs.
- Health Insurance
4. Application for resident permit for Students
You have to get your visa extension as a local Foreigner’s Authority “Einwohnermeldeamt” as you have been enrolled in studies by applying for a residency permit for studies.
Required documents to apply for a residence permit for studies in Germany:
- Duly completed application form for a residence permit. Germann name is ‘Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels’.
- Passport – with your present visa from German embassy
- Anmeldung Document showing your Permanent address in Germany.
- Health Insurance from Germany.
- Document from landlord confirming your permanent address.
- Passport size photographs (Biometric Photos).
- Proof of financial subsistence. – Same that you had given at the German embassy for Interview.
- Admission letter if Enrollment is yet to be finished. (e.g. certificate of enrollment, confirmation of admission, or evidence of conditional admission in studies.)
- Money to pay the application fee. – Between 60 to 75 Euros Approx.