Germany | CrossBorders

Germany Study Visa: All You Need to Know in 2023!

Germany is a hub for higher education especially for students from STEM backgrounds.

Key Highlights

What is a German Student Visa?
Upcoming Intakes & Top 10 Universities
Eligibility & Documentation
How to Apply for a Student Visa?
Costs for Studying in Germany
Other FAQs

With free world-class degrees and no-tuition fee for local and international students, Germany has become the topmost preferred country for students worldwide. Almost 400,000 International Students are now studying in Germany!

India rose from the 4th to the 2nd in ranking under the ‘international students list’ in Germany in 2022. The significant rate of growth of Indians going to Germany is because of how well-settled they feel in the country. So, let’s discuss more about the Germany Study Visa and how the application is processed.

What is a German Student Visa?

To study in Germany, you mandatorily need a German Student Visa. The minimum duration of this visa is about three months and it can last up to 4 years depending on the duration of your course. This visa can be extended under certain conditions. The German Student visa can be later used to seek Permanent Residence.

Upcoming Intakes for Universities in Germany

The general timelines for application submission are as follows:

Intake 1: Summer Semester – Submit your application before January 15th

Intake 2: Winter Semester – Submit your application before July 15th

Top 10 Universities in Germany for International Students in 2023

Here’s the top 10 Universities for International Students as per QS rankings in Germany:

What Documents are Required for a German Student Visa?

For the visa process to be started, your documents need to be in place. Though the document requirement is too long, with accurate information, you’ll be good to go.

Find the list of documents which are required for your Germany Student Visa Process:

Bonus Tip: A Blocked Account can be useful for a Student Visa

What is HZB, and why is it important?

Among the many important documents, HZB or the "Hochschulzugangsberechtigung" is a crucial document requirement. It is most commonly known as the University Entrance Qualification. In order to gain admission from the German Universities, you need to go ahead with this entrance test.

By proving or qualifying, you will be considered equal to an HZB. However, it is relevant only by qualifying the admission requirements as set by the German universities.

What are the language tests valid for Germany's student visa?

Non-EU International Students need to prove their proficiency in either English or Germany. And, for each language, there are a number of tests available. You can choose the best one as per your requirements.

Find the below certificates, which can be accepted for many of the German Universities:

TestDaF level IV: The TestDaF is obtained by passing the Test of German as a Foreign Language for Foreign Students in all sections.
DSH Certificate II or III: The DSH Certificate is a German Language test for obtaining an admission of Foreign Student Applicants.
Assessment Test: It is received at the end by completing the institutional preparatory classes.
DSD Certificate of Level II. It is the Language Diploma of the permanent conference of ministers for cultural affairs, level II, and education.
Goethe Certificate C2: This is received by qualifying the Goethe Test of Level C2.
Telc Deutsch C1/B2 Hochschule Certificate: This is received by passing the Telc C1 or B2 Hochschule tests.

If you are aiming to prove your English proficiency, then you need to obtain the below-mentioned certifications.

TOEFL Test: For proving your eligibility for the test, you need to score IbT- 88, Pbt-66.
IELTS Test: The required score to qualify for the IELTS is a minimum of 6.5.

A few of the universities in Germany have their own language proficiency requirements. The provided requirements and language tests may not be accepted by such universities. Hence, it is good to speak to the University for language requirements beforehand.

What are the documents required for applying for a residence permit in studies for Germany?

The documents which are required while applying for Residence Permit in studies for Germany are

Valid Passport or national ID card.
Your rental contract with the residence owner.
Address Confirmation letter issued by the landlord of the place.
Confirmation of admission in education.
Permission to start your education or the German University Entrance Qualification.
Recent passport-sized photographs.
Your Student Health Insurance Documents.
Certificate of enrollment, evidence of conditional admission in education, confirmation of admission as a proof of being admitted in studies.
Application fee payment receipts. Generally, the cost for first-time applications and extension of residence permit ranges from 56-100 Euros and 49-96 Euros, respectively.

"Akademisches Auslandsamt" – An international Office of your University can help you in obtaining information about your education and residence requirements.

How to Apply for a Germany Student Visa?

Getting a Germany Student Visa isn’t very difficult. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Visit the nearest German Embassy or Consulate:
Step 2: Understand the procedures and requirements:
Step 3: Set up your Visa Appointment:
Step 4: Make every Visa Application Document Ready:
Step 5: Get prepared for your Visa Interview

Related FAQs

What is the role of a consultant in getting a German Student Visa?

A consultant usually has years of experience in helping students get a Visa. Also, The Germany Student Visa process has various requirements that are better understood by experts.

If you are planning to study in Germany, our experts can guide you.

Costs for a German Student Visa

Why Choose Us?

Cross Borders Overseas Consultancy is the best immigration consultant in India. Don’t take our word for it, we have the numbers to prove it. Served 10K+ customers and over 4K+ active cases.

Visit Visa: Travel for leisure or business to any part of the world with Us.
Study Visa: Study in Globally-recognized Universities!
Work Visa: Work & settle in the World’s Best Cities!
Immigration: We are your one-stop solution for all your visa and immigration needs
Permanent Residence: Become a Permanent Resident and enjoy special benefits.

Customized services:

Profile Evaluation: Based on your unique profile history, we make matches with the visa eligibility requirements, and advise you with the visas you must apply for.
Resume Writing: We guide you to create a resume that stands out as desired by the concerned immigration authority.
Procuring documents: Help you arrange documents needed before applying for a visa.
Professional guidance: Be it providing you with interview training, French/English courses or working samples for resumes, cover letters or assisting with application forms, medical or police clearance certificates - we will always be there for you.
Dedicated Case Officer: We offer personal assistance and a single point of contact between the company and you, throughout the process
Post-Landing Services: We help you settle down in the country after you’ve received your visa. These services are specifically customized as per your requirements.

You can expect a one-stop solution for all your visa needs from profile evaluation, documentation, and application drafting to post-visa services with Cross Borders Overseas Consultancy. If you are confused about filing the AIPP application, you can contact us immediately. We will be pleased to help you in any way we can.

Don’t wait. Begin your visa application today!

Other Important FAQs

1. What are the main reasons to study in Germany?

Tuition-Free Education: Public Universities of Germany offer Tuition-Free Education for local and international students.
Modern Infrastructure with World-class Staff Members: The Universities in Germany are known for their best infrastructure and best education curriculum.
An ample number of courses with English as a medium: English is a known language by many international students. Many courses in Germany are taught in English, and hence, it becomes easier for every student to live and study in Germany.
Internationally Recognized Degrees: The education system is widely recognized, and skilled students can easily get successful with the knowledge.
Plenty of Career Opportunities: A non-EU student can easily find employment in Germany by obtaining a work permit.
Opportunity for exploring: By enrolling for the study courses in Germany, you can get the best chances for exploring the country using public transport itself.
Chance to settle after Course completion: After completion of your education, you will have the opportunity to stay and search for a job opportunity.
Student-Friendly Universities: German Universities are very friendly and understanding with International Students.
Clean and Eco-Friendly: Germany is one of the cleanest countries in the world in terms of air, public-roads, and neighborhoods.

2. What is the processing time for a German Student Visa?

The average processing time of Germany Student Visa Application can be up to 25 days. However, it can vary depending on the place you're applying to and the German embassy you are applying to.

3. What are the steps to obtain a Student Residence Permit?

A student residence permit is a residence title provided to international students who are planning to study in Germany. In order to complete their abroad education, a residence permit is mandatory for the students.

Now let us find the steps for achieving the Student Resident Permit:

Find a permanent place to stay: After arriving in Germany with a student visa, you need to find your permanent accommodation in your first week.
Registration at the Resident Office: Once you are done in finding your permanent accommodation, you can now register with the address at the Resident's Office. After completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation - “Meldebescheinigung.”
Get enrolled in Studies: You need to get officially registered at the university and participate in studies. Also, this has to be done within the enrollment period as per the deadline announced in the letter of admission.
Applying for a residence permit: After getting registered in studies, you need to get your visa extension. This can be done by applying for a residence permit for education.

4. What are the types of German Student Visas?

Germany offers different student visa programs, and these are mainly based on your study levels and degrees. You need to choose the visa program as per your studies in Germany.

The different types of visa programs include:

German Student Visa: This visa program is mainly opted by international students who are planning to get admitted to a German University. These students should be ready to start their education from a full-time university.
German Student Applicant Visa: This visa program is applicable to international students with a plan to apply for German Universities in person. The visa doesn’t allow you to study in Germany. It will be valid for processing the application with the university.

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