Visa Requirements for Germany

Are you planning to pursue an MBA in Germany? Not sure how to apply for a German visa? Do not worry! In this article, we have listed the visa requirements for Germany and how you can register for the same. However, before you delve into the visa requirements for Germany, let us take a look at why studying in Germany can be beneficial. 

Benefits of Studying in Germany

There are various reasons why studying in Germany can prove to be beneficial, let us take a look at some of them.

No Tuition Fees 

Most public universities in Germany offer bachelor and master programs free of cost. This means you do not have to worry about tuition fees. However, you will have to pay an administrative and registration fee, which won’t cost you a lot. Hence, studying at a public university in Germany means you only have to worry about the cost of living and other miscellaneous costs.

International Recognition

Over the years, Germany has been known for its top-notch quality of education and incredible infrastructure. They have curated their programs to mimic a unified structure that universities all over the world follow, that is a two-year masters program and a three-year bachelor program. Additionally, German universities have been able to curate courses and modules that have gained recognition internationally.

Excellent Job Opportunities

Germany is a well-developed country with a strong economy, hence, it goes without saying that diverse job opportunities will be offered to you. Additionally, most German universities have partnered with popular, reputed companies and brands to offer internships and future job opportunities to their students once they graduate.

Visa Extension  

In most countries, once you complete your degree, your student visa expires and you are offered a search visa if you wish to stay back. Similarly, in Germany you are offered a visa extension as well, however, you are offered a visa extension for 18 months for you to look for a job and secure a visa. This is an ample amount of time to find a good job.

Visa Requirements for Germany 

Now, that you are aware of the benefits of studying in Germany, we will delve into the visa requirements for Germany.  

A German visa is a requirement for every international student who wishes to pursue an undergraduate or graduate program in Germany. There are two kinds of student visas based on your duration of stay — a Schengen visa and a German national visa. The Schengen visa is a short-stay visa and is recommended for those who wish to stay for 3 months and the German national visa is a long-term visa and is recommended for you if you choose to stay beyond 3 months. However, there are three kinds of German national visas. Let us take a look at each one of them to understand which is the right fit for you. 

Types of German National Visa 

The German national visa is offered for various degrees and at various stages of your program. Let us take a  look at the types of German national visas to understand which one you should ideally opt for. 

German Student Visa or Visum Zur Studienzwecken: This is a standard student visa for international students who have applied for a full-time program at a German university and have been accepted to pursue the same in Germany.

German Student Applicant Visa or Visum Zur Studienbewerbung: This kind of visa is for those who need to be present in person for the university application process. The German student applicant visa only lets you reside in the country for the application process and does not let you study. Hence, once you are admitted into your preferred university, you will have to apply for a German student visa separately. 

German Language Course Visa: This visa is issued to those who want to pursue a German language course within the duration of three months to a year.  

German Student Visa: What to do Upon Arrival in Germany?

The German student visa lets you reside in the country for 90 days, after which you will have to apply for a resident permit. You need to apply for the resident permit before the period of 90 days comes to an end. The resident permit is issued for a maximum of two years, however, you can apply to extend it if the duration of your course lasts longer than that. Once you have a resident permit, you can pursue your course with no legal limitations.

German Student Visa: Cost

The cost of a German student visa is 75 euros and visa applicants have to pay this fee through a bank transfer. No other mode of payment such as credit card, debit card, or cheque will be accepted. The payment needs to be made to the embassy or consulate in the country you reside in or are a citizen of. It is important to note that in a scenario wherein your visa application is rejected, the fee paid will not be refunded. Hence, it is imperative that you submit all the necessary documents and within the deadline to avoid your visa from being rejected. 

German Student Visa: Visa Requirements 

The German student visa requires you to submit some documents, which upon verification the embassy or consulate will decide if you are eligible for the visa. The following are the visa requirements for a German student visa: 

• A visa application form filled with the correct details
• A cover letter explaining your choice of program and university, the duration of your course and stay, and the purpose of your stay
• A valid passport and two photocopies of your passport
• Birth Certificate
• Health Insurance
• Acceptance letter from the University 
• Proof of Payment
• Documents from school or college such as certificates indicating you have completed your higher education or degree 
•  Transcripts from school and college
• Proof of Finances, indicating that your stay in Germany will be fully supported 
• Travel Health Insurance 
• German Language Proficiency test ( this is only applicable if you are pursuing a course that is taught in the German language)

A few other things to note is that the health insurance you avail should cover up to 30,000 euros and should be valid for the duration of your program. If you have received a scholarship, you should attach a scholarship certificate indicating that you are the receiver of the scholarship and indicating the amount awarded. 

German Student Visa: When to Apply?

You must be wondering when is the right time to apply for the German student visa. While there is no ‘right’ time to apply for the German student visa, you can apply for it once you receive your acceptance letter and you are confident of your finances. The visa takes around 15 to 25 days to arrive once you have applied and submitted all the necessary documents. Additionally, you will also be required to attend student orientation before your program starts for which you will have to arrive at least a week or two ahead before classes begin. Hence, keeping in mind all these factors, plan when to apply for the visa accordingly.

So these are the visa requirements for Germany if you are applying for a German visa. So, don’t delay further and begin your visa application process now!