Germany is a popular choice for students globally because it offers world-class degrees without charging tuition fees for both local and international students. Currently, around 400,000 international students are studying in Germany.
Studying in Germany can be a great opportunity for Nepalese students, as the country offers high-quality education, a wide range of programs, and many opportunities for international students. There are also various scholarships and funding options available for students to support their studies in Germany.
What is a German Student Visa?
If you plan to pursue studies in Germany, obtaining a German Student Visa is compulsory. The visa is valid for a minimum of three months and can be extended up to four years, contingent on your course length. Extensions are possible given specific conditions. Importantly, the German Student Visa can also be a pathway for applying for Permanent Residence later on.
Upcoming Intakes for Universities in Germany
The general timelines for application submission are as follows:
Top 10 Universities in Germany for International Students in 2024(QS Rankings)
QS World University Rankings | University Name |
61 | Technical University of Munich |
62 | Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München |
64 | Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg |
116 | KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology |
121 | Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin |
130 | Freie Universitaet Berlin |
144 | RWTH Aachen University |
147 | Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) |
168 | Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen |
186 | Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet Freiburg |
Documents Required For 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 the accurate information, you’ll be good to go.
Documents for Visa Application | Documents to Approve University Admission |
National visa application which is duly filled and signed | Academic Certificates( 10th, 12th and Degrees) |
Your valid passport | Conditional Admission Certificate: “Bedingter Zulassungsbescheid”(in German) |
Photocopies of your passport. | Confirmed Intensive Course: “Intensiv-Sprachkurs”(in German) |
Birth certificate | Proof of Language Course (3 months fee proof) |
Marriage certificate (If applicable) | Admission Certificates: “Zulassungsbescheid”(in German) |
Birth Certificate(For dependent children) | Health Insurance |
Photographs (Recent) | English Proficiency Test/German Proficiency Test |
Financial Proofs for a German Student Visa – “Finanzierungsnachweis” (in German) |
Deposit €10,236 in a German Blocked Bank Account |
Fund Proof for Parents ( Income, Financial Assets) |
Recommendation Letter from German Resident “Verpflichtungserklärung”(in German) |
Scholarship Certificates |
Bank Guarantee (by Recognized German Bank) |
Bonus Tip: A Blocked Account can be useful for a Student Visa
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.
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.
The documents which are required while applying for Residence Permit in studies for Germany are
- Valid Passport or the 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?
Search for a consulate or embassy which is near to you. Get the information about the required documents so that you can arrange a visa appointment.
After finding a German Embassy, you need to search for the country wise requirements you may need to submit for the procedures and set up the visa appointment.
Once you become ready with the information, you need to set up your visa appointment as per the steps mentioned on the official website of the German Embassy.
After your visa appointment date is confirmed, you need to check the documents list and ensure that you get ready with all of them. Failure to submit the required documents can create hurdles for your application.
Now, you need to pay the application fee and have the fee confirmation with you while attending the visa interview.
Related FAQs
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
Germany Student Visa | €75 |
Residence Permit | €110 |
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Other Important FAQs
- 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 neighbourhoods.
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.
A student residence permit is a residence title provided to the 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.
Also, read more about how an international student can visit Germany on a Job Seeker Visa.
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 the 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 for 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.