Obtaining a German Student Visa
Your country of origin will determine whether or not you need a visa to study in Germany (or even to travel there).
Nationals of EU member states or of Liechtenstein, Iceland, Switzerland or Norway don’t need to apply for a visa, although identification or passport is necessary to enter Germany. All residences of Germany must register with the authorities all of the relevant city. This applies to German nationals also. After that you will receive a certificate that confirms you have the right to reside in Germany.
There are 2 types of visa: a Schengen visa or short stay visa and a "national visa". The Schengen visa is intended for those who wish to go to Germany for a holiday, take a language course or go to a summer school; the Schengen visa is valid for ninety days. If you want to study in Germany for an undergrad degree or a Masters or PhD program, than you need a national visa which allows you to live in Germany for the duration of your studies.
Students applying for a visa need to include the following in their application;
- Proof of German language skills you may have or of your plans to take a language course in Germany and
- Proof of sufficient financial resources.
- Proof of financial resources
- Letter of admission from a German university,
- Health insurance policy (you can get it here),
- Proof of academic credits gained or exams passed,
You will need to show proof that you have the means to support yourself for 1 year in Germany when you apply for the visa. You must prove to the Embassy that you will have approx. 8000 Eur at your disposal per annum during your stay in Germany. There are a number of ways you can prove this, such as by showing your scholarship, your parents income, or a Bank guarantee.
