It’s every international student’s dream to study in a highly advanced and developed country like Germany, which is the fourth largest economy in the world. Germany is widely known for offering top-tier education and opening doors to various educational opportunities in various fields. One of the reasons why Germany is the most popular non-English study destination among Indian students is that the country provides excellent education to international students at little or no tuition fees.
Moreover, Germany has a welcoming and inclusive environment that promotes diversity and multiculturalism, making it an ideal place for students from all over the world. German universities are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and offer a wide range of courses taught in English, making it easier for international students to pursue their academic interests.
In addition to academic excellence, studying in Germany also provides students with the opportunity to secure high-paying jobs and explore their careers.
Furthermore, Germany is home to some of the biggest and most successful companies in the world, providing students with excellent job prospects after graduation. Many international students who graduate from German universities go on to work for these companies, gaining valuable work experience that can help them kick-start their careers.
Why Choose ICEF Trained Agent Counsellor
If you intend to study in Germany, then you should get counselling from the best Germany study visa consultants in Chandigarh. West Highlander is available to help you throughout the process of your Germany study visa. Our Director, Ms Parwinder Kaur, is an ICEF Trained Agent Counsellor who can assist you in achieving your aspirations. From start to finish, she can provide the necessary guidance to help you successfully study in Germany.
Read the full article to learn about the Germany student visa process step by step.
Germany Student Visa Process Step by Step
Planning to study in a new country requires a lot of research and preparation. West Highlander is here to make this process of Study in Germany simplified and hectic-free for you. It will help you make informed and wise decisions.
The Germany study Visa is a multiple steps process and this article will provide you guidance from the first step of choosing a course to the last step of visa decision.
Choosing a Relevant Course and University in Germany for International Students
The first step of studying in Germany is choosing a relevant course and University you want to get admitted to.
Germany offers a huge range of courses to students pursuing higher education there. The course you select to study in Germany is the first and one of the most important parts of your Germany study visa process. You need to choose the course which is relevant to your academic history or any work experience you may have and at the same time keep in mind your interests and career aspirations. The German institutes offer the finest programs in Information Technology, Business, Arts, Science, Engineering, Music, etc.
Indian Students who want to pursue their education in English must ensure that the course they choose is available in English language in the selected University.
After selecting a course of your choice, the students need to shortlist the Universities where they wish to study. The German education system has three major types of educational institutes.
- Academic University: these are based on research and innovation. The teaching method here is more theoretical than practical. One of the advantages of studying in an academic university is that you can pursue a doctorate (PhD) after gaining a master’s degree here, which is not possible for other institute types in Germany.
- Universities of Applied Sciences: these universities are known to follow the teaching method of practice and focus more on the professional practice part of the course. The best part about studying in these universities is that you’ll get an internship for 1 or 2 semesters, which will help you gain industrial experience, and job-ready skills and later land successful jobs.
- College of Art and Music: if you are passionate about the arts and aspire to pursue a career in a creative field, then this is the best place for you. These colleges offer a diverse range of programs for students to choose from, allowing them to specialize in the desired area in which they want to become professional, such as music or design.
Admission Document Requirements for study in Germany
After you have chosen the course and University for your study in Germany, the next and second step is to send in the complete admission application package to your University.
International students need to make sure that they send the application well in advance to the University before the deadline. The application package comprises many documents:
- Academic Documents: you need to send your academic qualification certificates like a 12th-grade mark sheet, bachelor’s degree or certificate of any other foundational course you did.
- Work Experience Certificate: Germany prefers students with some work experience along with their academic qualifications. If you have any work experience in the course-related field then you can submit its certificate along with other documents, it will help you make your profile stand out.
- English Language Ability Certificate: Submitting proof of English language proficiency, such as an IELTS or TOEFL certificate, is required for international students who wish to study in Germany.
- Letter of Recommendation: the students need to have some letters of recommendation to make their profile better. These letters can be professional or academic, based on the course requirement you wish to study.
APS Germany: Academic Evaluation Centre
The next step after receiving the letter of admission is to prepare for your APS file. Certain universities may stipulate that APS applications are submitted at the time of admission, and you may be asked to provide proof that you have applied for an APS Certificate, so make sure to apply for it in advance.
The Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) authenticates your Indian documents, including your qualification certificate and English language ability certificate and an APS certificate is compulsory to get an interview slot for a Germany student visa application.
Germany Student Visa Requirements
After this, you can start preparing for your Germany Student Visa application. There are a range of documents that you need to fulfil the Germany student visa requirements. Here is the checklist of documents required:
- Academic Documents and Work Experience Certificate
- Letter of Recommendation
- Proof of Tuition Fee Payment to the University in Germany: While most universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees, some institutions require an affordable tuition fee. When applying for a Germany study visa, make sure to include proof of your tuition fees in your list of required documents.
- Health Insurance: Health Insurance is required by many German universities, which means it’s essential to have coverage while studying there. Take the necessary steps to obtain health insurance and submit its proof with other documents to guarantee a smooth transition.
- Passport Copies: Indian students need to submit a copy of their Indian passport, this is to verify that your passport is valid.
- Blocked account: To cover your cost of living in Germany, students are required to open a blocked account with a German bank and deposit the full amount of financial support needed. This money can be withdrawn in monthly installments while in Germany. Currently, the amount required for the blocked account is 11,208 Euros per year.
Book an Appointment with the German Embassy
After students have completed the visa application process and obtained their APS certificate, the next step is to schedule an appointment with the German Embassy. This appointment is compulsory for the Germany student visa interview process.
After obtaining your APS Certificate, the processing time is two days to schedule an appointment with the German Embassy.
Germany Student Visa Interview
The next step is to appear for the interview. The students are interviewed as a part of their Germany student visa application process. The interviewer may ask questions about their interest in study in Germany to gauge their intention that they are genuine students who would like to travel to Germany for their proposed course.
As a prospective student planning to study in New Zealand, you must conduct thorough research about the course, university or college you intend to enrol in. The interviewer expects genuine responses from applicants and wants to ascertain whether the students have done their due diligence and understand their reasons behind the choice of course and institution. This information is necessary to evaluate your intentions and suitability for the study program.
For this, there are a range of questions the case officer may ask you. Be prepared to answer inquiries about your course relevancy, course and university choice, academic profile, relevant work experience, course contents, and career prospects after completing the course, etc.
Germany Study Visa Decision
After completing their interview, students must wait for their visa decision – the last step in the process. Once they receive their visa, they are free to travel to Germany and begin their proposed course of study.
These were the seven steps involved with your Germany Student Visa Process, starting from selecting a degree program to arriving in Germany. To increase your chances of a successful visa application, make sure to meet all of the necessary documentation requirements and apply well in advance.
FAQ: How long does it take to get student visa for Germany?
It takes around 2 to 3 Months to get a Germany Study Visa after lodging the file.
FAQ: How much time it takes for German student visa from India?
The processing time for a German student visa from India is around 2 to 3 months after lodging the file online.