What is the German student visa process step by step guide
German student visa. In your enrollment in any German university or preparatory course, there are plenty of necessary steps that you must follow consecutively. After acceptance, ensure that you have a passport, acceptance letter, financial resources, health insurance, and language course certificates, amongst many others. Gather as many documents as possible. There are other steps, such as applying for a visa via a consulate or Embassy. Attending interviews, submitting documents, and paying visa fees are also involved. Ensure that you reserve enough time in any circumstance, as the Process takes much longer than expected.
A step-by-step guide will simplify this task, so let’s get started:
German Student Visa Process Detailed Overview
Applying for a course in Germany
A prerequisite document for obtaining the Visa is an official acceptance letter. This document is mandatory while applying for post-middle school prep colleges, language schools, and universities in Germany.
Search for the German Embassy/Consulate.
- Locate the German mission. Search for the German Embassy or the best consultant that processes visa applications in your country or area. You can check Auswärtiges for the location of German missions worldwide.
- Contact information: Make sure to have the correct details should you need to inquire about the visa application steps.
- Visa sections: Select Visa National/Long Term for further information on the Embassy’s website.
- Choose the category: Select student visa to access information regarding specific prerequisites of your Visa.
- Preparation: Ensure that you have all the required documents and conditions that may affect the student visa application. Requirements may differ slightly based on your country of residence.
Book a Visa Appointment
Book your appointment: Reserve a slot using the appointment scheduler or get in touch with the Embassy to book a visa appointment over the phone. Always bear in mind that scheduling appointments should be done as early as possible because it takes time to secure an available appointment.
Gather the Required Documents
Ensure all documents are original, with two copies where applicable:
- Application Form: Complete the visa application form available at the Embassy.
- Passport: A valid passport for international travel is required. Ensure that it is valid for a minimum of six months after the planned date of entry into Germany.
- Photos: Usually, two to three recently taken passport-sized photos or other official biometric images are requested.
- Letter of Acceptance: A letter from a German university or an institution accepting you for a study program.
- Proving financial means: Funding should be available to support your studies and living expenses while in Germany. Provide evidence of a blocked account that fulfills this.
- Motivation Letter: A personal account of why you would like to pursue your studies in Germany and what you plan to do after finishing your degree.
- Curriculum Vitae: An up-to-the-minute record of your academic achievements and professional history.
- Health insurance (proof of): Travel insurance for the first three months in Germany is generally sufficient, especially if it is preliminary health insurance.
- Proficiency assessment (proof of ): A document declaring your command of the language (in German or English) or a commitment to take a language course in Germany.
- Academic certificates: Acceptable diplomas include transcripts from prior schooling, such as a secondary school certificate or even a Bachelor’s degree.
Your documents need to be submitted.
On the day of the appointment, reach out to the Embassy or consulate with all the paperwork properly organized and complete. While submitting the documents, provide the necessary documents to the consular officer for further examination and processing.
The consulate fees need to be paid.
- Expenditures: Pay for the visa application. Depending on your nationality, the fee varies, so be sure to check the Embassy’s current rate online.
- Methods of payment: You may need to pay the fee in cash or one of the other accepted methods, like bank transfer or online payment, subject to the Embassy’s policy on payment options.
Please prepare for an interview related to the visa application.
- Visa Interview: As part of the application process, you may have a brief interview that will include questions about your reasons for applying to study at Deutsche Freund, your financial situation, and your future aspirations.
- Preparing materials: Explain any study plans and offer supplementary materials, if necessary.
Wait for the Visa Decision
- Processing time: The Embassy will process your application after the interview. This may take a few weeks, so be sure to apply well ahead of time.
- Approval or rejection: Your decision on the visa application will be made. If it is approved, you will be given a student visa, which will allow you to go to Germany.
Step 10: Register Your Address in Germany
- Germany address registration: You need to register your address with the Resident Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) in Germany after you arrive.
- Residence Permit: If needed, within 90 days of your arrival, you should get a residence permit from the Ausländerbehörde.
How to Apply for a German Student Visa in Pakistan
For those Pakistani citizens seeking to obtain their education in Germany, a German Student Visa will be required. We made the Process a bit more straightforward by providing a guide below.
Where Can One Obtain This Visa?
Pakistani citizens can apply for their student visa from the following German diplomatic missions within the country:
- German Consulate General in Karachi
- German Embassy in Islamabad
Appointment Wait Times in Pakistan
Periods for bookings through the German Consulate General in Karachi: Over 12 months. It is possible to book appointments online. Periods for bookings through the German Embassy in Islamabad: Over 12 months. It is possible to book appointments online.
How do you apply for a German student visa in Pakistan?
As a Pakistani applicant, you must submit two completed sets of the following documents:
- Application Form for Visa: Two separate copies of the signed application form must be provided.
- Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least three months from the date of appointment for a visa and have at least two blank pages. Bio Page of the Passport: Scan documents that contain the personal information of the passport holder, along with the photo. These pages need to be converted into A4 documents.
- Letter of Acceptance: This document should preferably be provided to the student by a University, Language School, or preparatory college within Germany. It is important that they specify what the medium of teaching will be.
- Verification of Financial Capacity: You may offer Confirmation for a Blocked Account, a Letter of Sponsorship, or, for some pupils, a scholarship. Nonetheless, the Blocked Account remains the safest and most traditional option. For students outside Germany: Make sure to take out an international student health insurance. Such plans are offered by companies as DR. Walter.
- Visa Images: Two recent passport-sized photographs, ideally studio-made, according to the requirements of the German diplomatic mission.
- Academic Certificates/Qualifications: Present original documents together with one copy. For undergraduate degree applicants, these would include O-level or A-level degrees and accompanying grade sheets, and for master’s degree applicants, these would include documents from other degree-awarding institutions attended before the master’s degree program.
- Personal History: 2 copies of your CV detailing your educational and professional credentials.
- Proof of Language Skills: If not stated in the acceptance letter, a language proficiency certificate (minimum of B2 level) in the language of instruction (German or English) is required.
- For German: TestDaF, DSH, or Goethe Institute German Language Diploma or German Language Diploma II are accepted. For English, TOEFL and IELTS certificates are accepted.
What is the Process for applying for a German Student Visa from Pakistan?
Follow these directions to get a visa:
- Locate the Embassy/ Consulate: Look for the German diplomatic office within Pakistan that deals with student visas.
- Schedule a Meeting: Do not forget to make a visa appointment. You may need to wait in line in certain months.
- Complete All Required Documents: Complete all documents as per the requirements of the regulations set by the Embassy and make sure everything is finished before your appointment.
- Application Submission: Arrive on the date of your appointment, submit the necessary documents and biometric information (fingerprints), and participate in a visa interview.
- Visa Payment:
The fee for a visa is: Standard, 75 EUR ( 21,714.93 PKR) Minor, 37.50 EUR 10,857.47 PKR. The payment can be made either by cash or credit card, depending on what the Embassy permits. - Checklist: German visa student fees for Pakistan:
- Standard Fee: 75 EURO (Approx: 21,714.93)
- For Minors: 37.50 EURO (approximately 10,857.47)
- All payments should be made at the Embassy/ consulate in cash on the appointment date. Proof of Financial Resources
You need to present proof of financial solvency to study in Germany. The minimum figure needed is EUR 11,904 per year, which amounts to approximately PKR 3,446,594.01. Students usually do this by setting up a blocked account at a German bank.
After Arriving in Germany
Apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners’ Office (Ausländerbehörde). Upon Arrival in Germany, you are required to do the following:
- Register your residence at the Einwohnermeldeamt.
- Unblock your account.
- Enroll in a health insurance plan.
German Student Visa Processing Time from Pakistan
German Student Visa. The time required to process a German student visa from Pakistan is generally between 4 to 10 weeks. This duration can change depending on which specific embassy/consulate you are applying through and how complete your documents are.
General Processing Time
The time taken to process a student’s visa application is normally 2 to 3 months (or 8 to 12 weeks). Make sure you plan everything well in advance.
Factors Affecting Processing Time
Embassy Workload: The number of applications being dealt with before yours is submitted will have an impact on the timeline for your visa processing.Completeness of Your Application: If your documents are either incomplete or need further validation, then your processing time will take longer. German Embassy in Islamabad: It usually takes anywhere from 5 – 10 weeks. German Consulate General in Karachi: It usually takes 4 – 6 weeks.
Other Recommendations
- Apply Early: If you are looking to apply for a student visa, you are advised to apply well before your intended date of travel. Keep in mind that scheduling a visa appointment consumes a lot of time, which should be added to your timeline.
- Other Visa Types Processing time:
- Schengen Visa: It is usually processed within two weeks.
- Airport Transit Visa: Generally done within 3 working days.
- Important Note: The processing time starts once a complete application is submitted along with the visa fee. Ensure that you are submitting all the correct documents, as missing crucial documents can slow down the Process.
- Germany Student Visa Success Rate: There is a high chance of obtaining a German student visa as it has been reported that international students have an approval rate of 90-95%, which shows Germany’s openness to international students.
- Outstanding Success Rates: Favorable prognosis: Numerous reports indicate a considerably high success rate of more than 90% for international students applying for a visa to Germany.
- Factors that influence Success: While there is an impressive success rate, a few elements could impact the decision on your application; here is what you need to take into consideration:
- Document submission with due diligence: All required documents must be submitted, and accurate information must be provided. Failing to include any document may result in denial.
- Nonsufficiency of funds: Providing indisputable evidence that you possess the required funds to cover your tuition, living quarters, and other expenses is crucial. These are often done through frozen accounts in Germany.
- Passport and Documents: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you are applying and must keep minimal blank pages for visas and stamps.
- Proficiency in languages: Depending on the program you select, proof of adequate command over the English and German languages would be required. These can be obtained through the TOEFL, IELTS, TestDaF, and DSH.
- A letter of acceptance: Alongside your application, proof of enrollment in any recognized university or higher educational institution in Germany is essential.
- Rejection Rate Low Rejection Rate: There is a high acceptance rate for student visas, but some rejections have been noted. Student visas are said to have a low rejection rate of approximately 5-10%.
Reasons for Rejection:
- Incomplete documentation or documentation that contains errors
- Lack of adequate evidence for financial support
- Proficiency or program requirement gaps
- Not fulfilling the requirements for the specific Visa
- Processing Time
The processing time for the student visa is subject to change depending on the applicant’s country as well as the German mission responsible for the application. Processing usually takes about three months or 12 weeks, but can differ by Embassy or consulate.
Types of Student Visas
Student Visa: This Visa is for foreign students who have been accepted to a higher educational facility in Germany. It is the most widespread Visa for education.
Prospective Student Visa: This Visa is for students who have not yet received their acceptance letter or are awaiting an entrance examination to get approval to study in Germany. This Visa allows foreign students to go to Germany and finish their studies
