The numbers of foreign people choosing to study abroad in Germany are increasingly growing each year. Most international students will likely need to get a German student visa at a German consulate in their country before they can come to Germany to study. One of the reasons why Germany is a good study destination for international students is because their government abolished tuition fees for higher education (applicable to Public universities).
If you’re from a non-EU/EEA country and you want to study a long-term degree you should apply for a German student visa:
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Visa Application Documents
- A filled out and signed national visa application form
- Your valid national passport
- Two photocopies of your passport
- Your birth certificate
- Your marriage certificate (If applicable)
- Your child’s birth certificate (If applicable)
- Your recent passport-style photographs. (Up to 3)
- Photocopies of previous German residence titles (If applicable)
- Previous Schengen visa (If applicable)
- Previous German resident permit (If applicable)
Proof of Financial Resources
You will need to provide one of the following:
- €10,236 deposit confirmation at a German blocked bank account.
- Letter of commitment and evidence of your parent’s income records and financial assets.
- Letter of commitment by a German resident “Verpflichtungserklärung”. This letter is taken at the Alien’s Registration Office, by the German resident who will cover your costs during your studies.
- Scholarship awarding certificate. It must show the amount of costs it covers.
- Bank guarantee. Issued to you by a recognized German bank.
Proof of University Admission
Confirmation of admission in studies “Zulassungsbescheid”. Issued by a recognized higher education provider in Germany, showing the starting date and language of your course.
Evidence of your earlier education
- Original school-leaving certificate.
- Degree certificate. (for Master’s or PhD studies).
Student Health Insurance
The law in Germany requires everyone to have health insurance, including international students.
If you are a student under the age of 30 enrolled in a degree programme at a German university, you can choose to register with a public health insurance provider so you can benefit from the statutory health insurance scheme.
Students over 30 years old, language and preparatory course students, PhD students, and guest scientists, however, only have the possibility of getting private health insurance.
Certificate of German or English proficiency.
If you are planning to study at a German university, you may have to prove you know the German language (or English depending on the course) at the required level.