Germany Study Visa
Germany, one of the best destinations for international students because of its world-class education system, top-ranked universities, and low-cost tuition fees, has marked its spot across the globe. And if you also want to be a part of Germany’s education system, then you just need a Germany Study Visa.
Germany invites a significant number of applications every year from students, skilled professionals, and families who want to migrate to Germany and settle down. Germany accepts applications for Germany Opportunity Card, EU Blue Card, and Schengen visa. Out of all these variations, the Germany Study Visa is the most applied visa among international students.
Why Germany Study Visa?
Well, this question must have been asked by a lot of people, and even Why not applying for a Canada Study Visa?. Though the Canada Study visa is also different in every aspect, yet the Germany Study Visa entitles some of the extraordinary benefits to applicants, such as:
● World Class Education
The Germany Study Visa introduces applicants to the real world education system, enclosing them to world-class universities and programs for engineering, business and medicine.
● Low Cost Tuition Fee
The Germany Study Visa enables applicants to apply for scholarships and charge very minimal tuition fees for German universities.
● Recognised International Degree
The crucial benefit that spots Germany Study at the top is the recognition of its degree at international levels. it envisages applicants at higher levels globally.
● Work While Studying
Another benefit Germany Study visa provides to its applicants is the opportunity to work while they study to sustain themselves. Applicants are allowed to work for 120 full days and 240 half days in a year. This brings an added advantage of earning experience while studying.
● Route to Permanent Residency
Another major benefit allocated to candidates is the route to PR. Applicants, while on study visa, also work in order to financially support themselves and with that, they often find full-time employment during their stay. With this, they can apply for an EU blue card and later to Permanent Residency.
Types of Germany Study Visa
International students applying for undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate and even exchange programs have to choose one of the three visa types, which are as follows:
1. Student Application Visa (Visum Zur Studienbewerbung)
Student Application visa is a certain kind of visa with some limitations bound to it. This visa enables candidates to be in Germany for a limited period of time (3 months) as it is applicable to only those candidates who have applied to German universities, made decent prospects, but have received any confirmation regarding their university admission. This allows candidates to closely watch the procedures and wait for further admission requirements, such as an examination or an interview.
2. Student Visa (Visum Zu Studienzwecken)
Student visa, also known as National visa, allows candidates to migrate to Germany and enroll themselves at universities. This visa is applicable to those candidates who have a prior admission letter from any German university. This visa guarantees a two-year stay in Germany and can be extended for another two years.
3. Language Course Visa
A Language Course visa is an opportunity for international students who want to enroll themselves into a short-term German language course. This visa allows candidates to stay in Germany for up to 12 months.
Eligibility Requirements for Germany Study Visa
To be eligible for a Germany Study Visa, the applicants are required to make sure about this checklist:
● Purpose of Stay
The foremost important requirement to be checked in is the proof of purpose of stay. The candidate must have a valid proof of university admission letter, which states confirmation in a specific course in a German University.
● Proof of Financial Resources
The second aspect which forms the base for the visa is the proof of financial resources. Germany accepts applications if the candidate have sufficient financial resources, at least 11,904 euros per year. This benchmark is proof that a candidate can survive in Germany for his living expenses.
● Language Proficiency Report
Another requirement that every candidate must follow is proof of English language proficiency scores, such as IELTS, TOEFL. The candidate must have at least B2 level knowledge of the German language.
● An APS Certificate
Another requirement that every candidate must follow is an APS certificate. It is the first stop for Indian students applying for a Germany Study Visa, verifying Indian academic documents.
Secure an APS certificate in 6 easy step:
Step 1: Online Registration
Gather all the information about the APS certificate and register on the official APS India portal, as it is a mandatory certificate.
Step 2: Application Form
Complete the application form with accurate academic details and valid passport documents.
Step 3: Application Fee
Pay the processing fee which is approximately 18000 INR, at the online portal.
Step 4: Submit Documents
Double-check all the documents and submit all the hard copies of the application form along with all the essential documents.
Step 5: Verification
After submitting all the documents, APS will verify all the documents. Candidates must track their application over time.
Step 6: Certificate Arrival
Once all the documents have been assessed, candidates will receive their APS certificate. It can be drawn in either digital form as Digzert (valid for 3 years) or paper form (valid indefinitely).
Proof of Funds Required for Germany Study Visa
Candidates are required to have a minimum amount of money into their blocked account in order to ensure that the candidate can survive in Germany. The minimum proof of funds required is 11,904 euros per year.
Documents Required for a Germany Study Visa from India
For a visa application, candidates are required to submit a whole lot of documents and missing one is a complete NO. So, check this list of documents required:
❖ Completed application form
❖ Recently taken biometric portrait photographs
❖ Acceptance letter from the university- stating confirmation for studies.
❖ A certificate of registration in a study college “ studienkolleg” or certificate of admission in a preparatory course- "Propaedeutic Courses”.
❖ School leaving certificates
❖ German or English language proficiency score report
❖ Proof of financial means
❖ A letter of commitment, “ Verpflichtungserklärung" by someone who already lives in Germany and is ready to host the candidate.
❖ A declaration letter from parents stating their financial support to their child during the stay in Germany.
❖ Updated CV
❖ Proof of former educational credentials
❖ Valid passport
❖ Proof of paid visa fee
❖ Proof of accommodation for the entire stay in Germany
❖ Health insurance
Cost of Applying Germany Study Visa from India
The cost of applying for this visa is €75 for an adult and for minors it is €37.50. Though it is a non-refundable fee, German universities waive off in case of a scholarship.
Processing Time for Applying Germany Study Visa from India
Processing time for this visa is up to 25 days from the date of its application. However, sometimes it may take longer, up to 3 months, because of the huge number of applications and application procedures.
How to Apply Germany Study Visa from India
Germany Study Visa can be applied in a systematic manner. Though it is not at all a complex procedure but if you want to apply, follow these simple steps:
1. Secure an APS Certificate
A crucial step for the process of the Germany Study Visa is securing a positive APS certificate. APS (Academic Evaluation Centre) is a certificate mandatory for Indian students. It is a document that evaluates a candidate's academic documents.
2. Look for the German Embassy or Consulate
The initial step is to find the closest German Embassy and review all the requirements and procedures set up by the embassy.
3. Set up a Visa Appointment
The next step after reviewing all the prerequisites set up by the embassy, book a visa appointment through their online appointment portal.
4. Prepare Essential Documents
Arrange all the documents such as passport, CV, photographs, and educational documents as for the visa appointment and prepare for the visa interview. Schedule some mock interviews for confidence.
5. Await Result
The interview is the last step for this process. After having the interview, stay updated for the results and remain positive.
The Germany Study Visa is an opportunity for international students longing to be a part of the German education system but sometimes you don't even get a chance to understand what went wrong while applying. To eradicate all the negative thoughts and even the chaos during the application process, hiring a professional might ease you off. At Province Immigration, we consider each case with dedication, with an expert consultant team and case managers to turn your dreams into reality.