How To Get A Student Visa In Germany

Today we’re chatting about how to get a student visa in Germany. As you may or may not know, I recently moved from Canada to Germany to finish my last year of university abroad.  

Have you ever wondered how to get a student visa in Germany? If you are looking to study in Germany, you’re not alone. Studying abroad is a dream for many people. However, there are a few things that every student visa applicant needs to keep in mind. This article will guide you through the process.

American students looking to study abroad face a variety of visa options. However, not everyone is familiar with all of the details surrounding how to get a student visa in Germany. Here is some information that can help you if you are thinking about pursuing an education in Germany:

It’s possible that you came to Germany without an insight into how to get a student visa. And if this is the case, it’s a good idea to apply for such a visa as soon as possible. If you want to study at a German language center or a university, or in any other form of tertiary education, you’ll probably need such a visa.

After going to university and receiving your degree, you now want to go to Germany. The highest level of German education is Diplom (Bachelor), which will give you a license or a qualification for an occupation; after that, you can continue with a Master’s program. A study in Germany will be an unforgettable experience, especially if you decide to study abroad.

How To Get A Student Visa In Germany

You may get a German student visa if you’re a foreigner and have received a letter of complete admission for studying at a German university, equally recognized institution, university of applied sciences, college of arts and music or other equally recognized higher education institution. The studies you can do with a German student visa are either full-time university studies or preparatory measures before such studies, i.e. Foundation course.

Which Are the Study Types You Can Follow With a German Student Visa?

A German student visa can be granted to you if you’re expecting to attend any of the following study types:

• Full-time academic studies.
• German language courses for studies.
• State preparatory college ‘Studienkolleg’. A course you’ll have to undertake as a foreigner whose school-leaving certificate isn’t recognized in Germany. Once completing the course, you’ll be sitting the test “Feststellungsprüfung”. If you succeed in passing the test, you will get a certificate known as a university entrance qualification. With that on your hand, you’ll be able to apply for university admission in Germany.
• Propaedeutic course
• Mandatory preliminary internship.

Requirements to Apply For a German Student Visa

Apply for a German student visa at the German embassy or consulate or other intermediating application agencies in your country. The decision about your application is based on the information and the supporting documents you provide. Therefore, these documents have to be sent as originals, accompanied by two photocopies of each.

Here is a checklist of the required documents to apply for a German student visa:

• Two duly completed national visa application forms.
• Valid national passport. (Read passport requirements)
• Two recently taken biometric portrait photographs. (Strict requirements, read our photo requirements page).
• Proof of admission at a German education institution. (Send any of the following).
  • University admission letter “Zulassungsbescheinigung”.
  • Letter of admission in a foundation course. Issued by a Studienkolleg.
  • Letter of admission in the propaedeutic course.
  • Letter of admission in a preparatory German language course.
• Proof of German language proficiency. (For German-only and mixed-language study programs).
  • German Language University Entrance Examination for International Applicants (DSH).
  • Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF).
  • Goethe Institute German Language Diploma (GDS).
  • German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs, Level II (DSD).
• Proof of English language proficiency. (For English and mixed-language study programs).
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Accepted results are PbT (paper-based test) 550 Points, CbT (computer-based test) 213 Points and IbT (internet-based test) 79-80 Points.
  • The International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Accepted scores by German universities are 5 – 6.5.
• Authenticated certificates of earlier education.
  • German university entrance qualification “Abitur”. If you’ve studied in a German education provider abroad. (If not, send the following documents).
  • Recognized foreign academic qualification. It must show you have a qualification equally recognized as the German Abitur.
  • Academic records or transcript.
• Curriculum vitae. It has to be accompanied with evidence of previous and current internship and work experiences if any.