There are two types of Visas for students who wish to study in Germany:

• Prospective Student Visa: This Visa is for students still waiting to receive a university admission notification. It is valid for three months to allow you to meet the requirements for admission to a German Institution
• Student Visa: This Visa is for students who have received a notification of admission to a university. Student Visas are usually valid for three months, and students must apply for an extended residence permit at the Alien Registration Office in your university town.

After enrolling in a German university, students must check if they are eligible for a German student visa. Depending on their country of origin, not all students will require a visa to study in Germany but just a residence permit. A German student visa must be applied for at least three months before entering Germany through a German embassy or consulate.

Documents required for a student visa in Germany. 

• Completed application form
• Valid passport
• Two photographs
• Student’s acceptance letter to a German University
• Transcript of academic record
• Certificate of German language proficiency or proof that student intends to attend a language course in Germany (if studying in German)
• Proof of sufficient funds to support oneself while living in Germany
• A certificate of proof of purchased health insurance
• Declaration of the authenticity of documents submitted

German student Visa types:

Students who wish to travel to Germany to study are required to apply for an appropriate German visa depending on the purpose of the trip and the length of stay. There are three types of visas meant for students intending to pursue educational activities in Germany:

• Language Course Visa (Visa for Language Learning) – for educational activities lasting from 3 months up to 1 year to participate in short German language courses.
• Student Applicant Visa (Visum Zu Studienbewerbung) – for students who want to study in Germany but are still trying to find the right program or those who are still waiting for a confirmation letter from the university.
• Student Visa (Visum Zu Studienzwecken) – for students who have already been accepted to a German university.

German student visa fee

The application fee for a German student visa is €75. Applicants must pay the fee by bank transfer, as cheques or credit cards are not accepted. The money order must be in the name of the embassy/consulate and must be no more than two months old.

Student visa with dependants

A German visa for families is a residence permit that gives the student’s family members the right to stay in Germany during their studies under German residence permit. The following families can visit and live with them during their studies. However, only the following family members have the eligibility:

• Spouse (husband, wife)
• Minor child
• Parent