As a student who wants to study in Germany, you must be wondering if the German language is required for a student visa?
Well, the answer is No, you don’t need the German language before you get a student visa but you need to present language proficiency proof, and most times, it depends on your course.
The language is spoken in Germany in English and German language and most of their studies are done using German so even German language is not necessary to get a student visa, it is important for you to understand the German language so you won’t feel out of place when you finally get admitted.
Universities in Germany offer an amazing range of courses with a meticulously designed curriculum and the ability to choose from a variety of subjects.
Furthermore, if you are admitted to a public university, your education will most likely be free of charge. It has been one of the primary reasons for students’ preference for Germany. However, if you are interested in studying in Germany, then you should consider if you need to get a student visa or not.
Who needs a German student Visa?
It is only citizens from countries like Australia, Brazil, Japan, Israel, United States, Canada, Switzerland, South Korea, New Zealand, San Marino, El Salvador, and EU/EEA countries.
However, if you do not come from any of these countries listed above, then be rest assured that you need to get a German student visa and you need to start getting familiar with the processes of obtaining a student visa.
Also, to obtain a student visa, it depends on the type, of course, you intend to pursue, the country you will reside, and of course, your educational status; also note that you will need a certain type of educational visa.
Germany, as a member of the Schengen Zone, has the primary classification of student visas based on course duration. If you intend to pursue a shorter course that will last less than three months, you can apply for a short-term Schengen Student Visa.
Another advantage of the visa is that you will be able to freely travel through the 26 Schengen countries of Europe.
If your going to study in Germany will entail a longer course, then you will need to apply for a Type-D visa which is also known as a German National Visa. Furthermore, there are three types of student visas for Germany, depending on your acceptance to Germany and its university.
Language Course Visa
The language course visa is mostly given for language courses which range between 3 months to one year.
Student applicant visa
If you have applied to any university in Germany and have not been given admission yet, then you can always apply for the student applicant visa so you can gain access to Germany and the school you applied to for any necessary entrance exam or test.
The student’s applicant visa is usually given for a period of 3 months, but you can extend it to 6 months if need be.
Student visa
The student visa is the major and long-term Visa to study in Germany. If the course you intend to study lasts longer than 3 months, then you will need to apply for a student visa.
Furthermore, you will also be needing the residence permit once you get to your destination so while you are applying for your visa, you should also do yourself a favor and also obtain your residence permit.
Requirements for student visa
Once you’ve been able to figure out the type of visa you need, or the type that is required of you, you will have to gather the necessary documents that are needed to obtain the student visa. Below are the necessary documents and requirements needed for your Germany student visa;
- You will have to carefully and neatly fill and sign a national visa application form.
- You will need a valid national passport and photocopies to go with it.
- Two of your recent photographs
- Your proof of admission; that is the admission letter you got from your intended institution
- If you are going for a program taught in English or mixed language, then you need to provide a proof of the language
- You also need to provide a proof that you are proficient in German language, especially if you are going for a course taught in either German or mixed language.
- You will also tender proof of financial capability to show that you are capable of taking care of yourself in Germany and you can also take care of your studies as long as you are in Germany. You may also be asked to open a blocked account and transfer the sum of €10,332 into the account and the money can only be withdrawn when you get to Germany.
- You will also need to have health insurance before you can be granted visa.
Now that you know the requirement of obtaining a German student visa, you can go ahead to obtain one if you are certain that you can and will meet up the requirements.
How can you apply for a German Visa?
Now that you have all your documents and the finance ready, it is now time to apply for your student visa and it is only ideal that you get to apply for the visa about 3 months before your semester begins. Below is the process to get your German student visa;
- After you’ve gathered all of the necessary paperwork for a German student visa, go to the website of the German embassy or consulate in your country. You can also use a search engine to locate the nearest German embassy or consulate to you.
- Check the requirements and paperwork on the official German embassy website’s student visa section.
- Submit the documents and follow the website’s instructions to schedule a visa interview appointment.
- Be well-prepared for the interview. Before you go to the interview, answer honestly and go over your money, educational background, and family history.
Germany student visa fees
Now that you can apply for your visa with ease and you know the processes, it is time you found out the student visa fees for German students. The fee is €75 and you have to make a bank transfer to make the payment. The German student visa fees cannot be paid through a cheque or your card.
Furthermore, if you are getting a residence permit which you need, you will have to pay around €56 – 100 for it. Once you have applied for the residence permit, you will discover more details at the German registration office.
Knowing that a residence permit is also as important as your student visa, you also need to be knowledgeable about how to apply for it.
If you want to live in Germany, a student visa will not be sufficient. You’ll need to fill out an application for a Residence Permit. Within two weeks of arriving in Germany, contact the Bürgeramt or Einwohnermeldeamt.
And it is not compulsory that you pronounce the word, you can simply call it the Alien registration office. You must apply for a residence permit as a student in Germany at the office. You’ll need the same documents you need for your visa application which includes;
- Proof of your financial capability
- An acceptance letter from your supposed institution
- A valid passport
- You need your health insurance and
- Your German student visa.
Furthermore, you will also be asked to pay a certain amount for your residence permit. Since the rate isn’t steady, it is only right that you check the last rate before going to the office so you don’t get stranded. You can also decide to work in Germany after your studies or even while you are studying.
Hence, After completing your studies, you can apply for a work permit in Germany if you meet the requirements for education in Germany and intend to work in the country, as long as you have a Residence Permit.
After the results of your final semester, you can extend your Residence Permit for up to 18 months. If you are a member of the EU/EEA, you have no restrictions on working in Germany.
However, as an international student, you have 18 months to find a job connected to your subject of study.
You can apply for the EU Blue Card, which is the European equivalent of the American Green Card, once you have a job. You can stay in Germany while your application is being processed.
Germany student visa interview questions
Once you have passed through the process of managing your finance, getting all the necessary and required documents for your student visa, as well as booking an interview appointment, you will now be faced with the final test which happens to be the interview.
Don’t be scared the questions are not as challenging as you think and just to ease your stress, below are a few questions that you might be asked;
- First, why do you intend to study in Germany? You need to give a concise and elaborate answer to the question. To make it more valid, you can back up your answer with very strong reasons and instances of what you think about Germany
- You will also be asked – why did you choose your intended program? It is expected that before you decide to study a particular program, you must have had interest in it for a long time and most people always have one story or another as to why they chose a specific program. So to answer the question, you need to be specific. Explain your interest and what you hope to achieve from the said course.
- Why choose this particular university? Did you just choose the school because it was the only option you had or something attracted you to the school? You need to explain what attracted you to the said institution, if there are courses you stumbled upon that interested you, then you can add it to your answers. If you like the activities they have or their teaching pattern, it should be stated in your answer as it will give you added advantage
- Which other universities did you apply? Most times people tend to apply to more than one institution because you never can tell which of the schools will grant you admission. Hence, if you stumble upon such question, endeavor to answer sincerely.
- What plans do you have when you complete your course in school? This question is very important; do you plan to stay back and work? Do you want to start a career in Germany? Or do you want to leave after your studies? You need to answer this question carefully and be truthful with your response.
To wrap it up,
Are you thinking of studying in Germany? Then your thoughts have led you to an amazing place because German is a friendly place with a conducive learning environment.
However, most people are worried about the requirement for getting a student visa in Germany, especially because of their language. Are you wondering if you must know the German language before you can get a student visa?
Well, you are not in this alone there are several other people who keep wondering about this fact. The German language is not important to get a student visa except your field of study requires that you have to speak the German language.
Although the Germans speak English, it is safe that you also learn and understand their language so you can easily communicate with everyone around you.
You can get a German language course only, and when you complete the stipulated time, you get your certificate so you can present it while applying for your student visa.
Don’t let this discourage you; learning the German language is not as difficult as you think, if you are determined, you will scale through in no time.
