Document Checklist for Indian Students Applying for Germany Visa

Germany is one of the most popular study abroad destinations for Indian students owing to its quality education and low cost of study. German universities are known to have world-class infrastructure and they provide students with an opportunity to experience the best environment for higher education.

While many Indian students dream of pursuing higher education in Germany, only those who meet all the requirements to study, travel and stay in Germany can fulfil their desire. Getting a valid offer letter from a German university is the first step towards fulfilling my dream of studying in Germany. Once the offer letter is received, students need to apply for a Germany Student Visa and get it validated.

An Indian student can submit a student visa application for Germany once they receive a letter of admission from a German university. The German student visa application is processed by the German embassy or consulate located in the home country. For this, applicants need to submit a list of documents along with the visa application form. 

If you are planning to study in Germany and want to know how to apply for a student visa to Germany, Germany Student Visa Checklist that you will need to get a German student visa then check the details here.

Checklist aside, there are certain nuances of visa application that only be completed up to the mark with expert help  We have a professional team of study abroad experts who have guided many Indian students right from filling out a student visa application for Germany and How to apply for a student visa for Germany to documents required for a student visa checklist Germany.

Germany Student Visa Types for Study Purpose

If you are planning to visit Germany for study purposes then you must submit a student visa application for Germany based on the type of course you are interested to enrolled in at the German Institute/ University. 

The Germany Study Visa is categorised into three types which are as follows:

• Student Visa: It is the visa that an applicant must hold if they have been accepted for admission in a German University.
• Student Applicant Visa: It is a student visa available for those who do not have a confirmation letter from a university and are still contemplating on choosing the right programme for study.
• Language Course Visa: It is a visa for students enrolled in short-term German language courses. The validity of this visa is 3 months to 1 year. Most students apply for a Student Visa.

Cost of Germany Student Visa

A student visa for Germany costs roughly EUR 75. If all of your paperwork is in order, the processing period might take up to 25 days. Applicants are frequently asked to provide more/additional German student visa documents, for such cases, the processing period for a Germany Student Visa in such instances might take up to 12 weeks.

Applicants who wish to apply for a Residence Permit after arriving in Germany would need to pay a fee of up to EUR 110. It might take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks for the certificate to be granted. International students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible because this equates to around three months of time.

Document Checklist for Germany Visa Application for Indian Students 

To get a German student visa, applicants must submit a student visa application for Germany, along with supporting papers, to the German embassy or consulate, or other intermediating application organisations in the nation. The documents must be original and authenticated. Any inaccuracies in the information provided on the application form may result in the cancellation of the student visa. 

The following is the document checklist for German visa applications for international students to study in Germany:

• Your official passport which must be valid for at least another year starting from the visa application and have at least two empty visa pages

• Two scanned copies of your passport’s personal information page

• Visa copies of the German student visa application form, completed and signed

• Two copies, duly completed and signed off the declaration form for additional contact and legal representation information

• Three biometric visa pictures

• Acceptance letter from a German university/college, with information on the language of teaching for the courses

• Proof you are proficient in the language of instruction at least in B2-level

• Copies of past academic records, certificates and qualifications

• APS certificate

• CV/Resume

• Financial proof to support yourself during your stay. This can be any of the following:

  • A blocked bank account

  • Proof of a scholarship

  • Letter from a sponsor living in Germany

• Travel health insurance and other medical certificates

• Demand Draft for the student visa fee. The fees must be paid INR through Demand Draught at the Embassy/Consulate.

Let us shed some more light on the above-mentioned document checklist for a German visa application for international students individually!

Visa Application Form 

The candidate having a valid offer letter from a German University must fill in two German visa application forms and submit it at the German embassy/ consulate, or other intermediating application agencies in the home country. Along with the visa application form, the applicant must also prove of having paid the student visa application for Germany processing fees which is EUR 60.

Passport 

Passport is mandatory to travel to Germany and an applicant must have a valid passport while applying for a German Student Visa. It is one of the main German student visa documents which is checked and verified with the visa application. 

There are some specifications and criteria for a passport that must be fulfilled so that it is accepted by the German embassy. Applicants must strictly adhere to the rules and regulations of a passport before applying for a visa and obtain a new passport within a specific time period in case the requirements are not fulfilled.

The passport specifications are described below:

• The Passport Must not be Damaged

• The applicant must ensure that their passport is not damaged while applying for the visa. It must not be torn, burnt, or wet. It must also be free of marks and spills. 

• The passport must not be more than 10 years old 

• The validity of the passport at the time of your plan to visit Germany must not be more than 10 years old. The German authorities do not accept the passport even if it is one day older than 10 years

• The passport must have at least two blank pages 

• The applicant must ensure that there are at least two blank pages in the passport so that the German embassy authority can affix a visa to it. 

• The Passport Must Not Contain any Illegal Data 

• The data entered in the passport must be clear and readable. Any discrepancy in the information can cause the reflection of a visa. Thus, applicants must ensure to verify the information mentioned in the passport before applying for the visa.

University Offer Letter 

The applicant must submit a valid university offer letter as proof of admission to study in Germany. The offer letter must reflect the course of study and duration of study at the university. It must be validated by the authorities of the university. 

Academic Documents 

Applicants must submit authenticated certificates of previous years of studies while applying for a student visa. It includes academic records or transcripts of all levels of studies completed previously. The qualifications must be recognised and accepted by the university. 

Photo 

An applicant's biometric is a part of the visa application process. High-quality photos are a mandatory document to be submitted to the authorities. The photos must also meet certain specifications and follow a defined format which is described below:

• The face must cover 70 to 80% of the entire photo. The height of the face must not be more than 40 mm and less than 27 mm is rejected. Shadows on the background of the photos must be avoided. 

• The photo must be clear, sharp and have proper contrast. It must not be blurred.

• Lightning on the face must be evenly distributed.

• The background of the photo must be taken against a neutral grey colour. 

Student Health Insurance

Student health insurance is required by an international student travelling to Germany to meet two purposes. It is needed to be granted a study visa for Germany and help students in situations of medical assistance during their stay in the country.  Health insurance is an official document required to get a Germany student visa and get enrolled at a German university.

Following are some of the important points related to German Student Health Insurance:

• Students who are enrolled in the degree programmes must apply for public health insurance.

•  Students enrolled in preparatory or language courses are required to have private health insurance plans.

• Students above 30 years of age must apply for private health insurance plans.

• Students must take health insurance in their home country and it must be acceptable in Germany.

• Students will need health insurance at the time of visa stamping after visa approval. 

Curriculum Vitae

A Curriculum Vitae (CV), one of the most important documents in the Germany student visa checklist, is required to highlight personal qualities, work experience (if any), internships and involvement in extracurricular activities of the applicant. It must be submitted along with the visa application form.

Financial Support Documents  

Financial Support Documents are needed as evidence to demonstrate that the applicant has enough funds to cover tuition fees, living costs, and accommodation in the country. The list of financial support documents includes:

• Letter of Declaration by Guardian: It contains the bank statement of the last 6 months of any guardian who is committed to supporting the applicants financially in their studies.

• Scholarship Certificate: The scholarship certificate (if any) must be attached to the visa application to prove the coverage of the cost of study in Germany. It must reflect the amount and coverage granted to the applicant.

• Blocked Bank Account: A blocked bank account is a special type of bank account that is opened by international students in Germany. It is required when applying for a student visa in Germany. It acts as proof of financial sources. Students can choose a preferred provider and open a bank account in Germany. Fintiba and Deutsche Bank are the two most popular providers to help international students open a blocked bank account in Germany. 

• Letter of Commitment by a Local Resident: It can be submitted in case a person already staying in Germany is covering the study cost and living cost of the applicant. 

Proof of Language Proficiency

International students enrolled in a study programme with the mode of instruction as English must demonstrate English Language Proficiency by submitting the scorecard of English language tests. These are as follows:

• TOEFL PBT: Minimum Score 550

• TOEFL CBT: Minimum Score 213

• TOEFL IBT: Minimum Score 79- 80

• IELTS: Minimum Score 5.00- 6.50 bands

Motivational Letter

Applicants must submit a motivational letter to demonstrate their reason for choosing a specific university and course of study. In the letter, they can explain their plans, career goals, and life goals. It can also demonstrate their willingness to serve society and discuss any previous work experience as a volunteer or anything that has served society. 

How to Apply for a Student Visa for Germany?

A student can work 180 days half-time or 90 days full-time in a German academic year, according to German visa restrictions. Currently, Germany is the only country where a student can work part-time in a technical field. Some institutions also offer Hiwi employment, which are part-time occupations on campus. To apply for this opportunity, students must contact the institute's student placement cell.

When applying for a Germany Study Visa, candidates must follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1: Prepare the relevant papers for your visa application as soon as you receive your admission letter from your German university.

Step 2: Gather images that comply with the official website's biometric photo standards.

Step 3: Fill out the National Visa Application Form. Print it out, sign it, and submit it with the rest of the paperwork.

Step 4: Print and sign the Declaration on honest and comprehensive information, which is also available on the official website.

Step 5: Make an appointment with the German Mission for your Germany Student visa interview.

Step 6: Check the current currency rate for your visa fee on the official German Mission website shortly before your appointment and receive the Demand Draft.

German Student Visa for Dependents

Spouses and children may be allowed to live with an aspirant in Germany while studying, but this is on a case-by-case basis. These requirements include appropriate funding as well as adequate living space. At the German consulate, cases are decided on an individual basis, and if you can properly explain your circumstances to the Consulate, extra consideration may be given to your case.

Where to Apply for a German Student Visa in India?

You must apply for a student visa at the German Mission in India accountable for your jurisdiction, which is shown below:

Cost of Germany Student Visa 

Depending on where you submit your visa application, the Demand Draft must be addressed as follows:

• Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, New Delhi

• Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Kolkata

• Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mumbai

• Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Bangalore

• Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Chennai

Note: The visa fee (in INR) specified on the Demand Draft must be based on the prices published on the German Missions in India's website. Do not use current exchange rates to complete a Demand Draught for your student visa application, since this will result in its rejection.

It's no surprise that Indian students want to study in Germany, given that the country boasts some of the world's best colleges and incredible career possibilities. So, if you have been accepted to a German university, you now know the document checklist for German visa applications that foreign students need to know to obtain a German student visa from India!

Feel that this information is not enough? Well, there is always so much more that only experts can enlighten you about! For more information about Germany's admission process, student visa application for Germany, How to apply for a student visa for Germany, German student visa documents, or German student visa checklist, etc. you can write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com and clear out your doubts.