Germany is one of the most popular study abroad locations in the world. If you are thinking of studying in Germany for further education, you should know about the German student visa processing time in 2022.
Many students from all over the world come to study in Germany. High-quality education, a diverse range of courses, and a strong emphasis on research are just a few of the factors that make Germany so appealing to international students.
Studying in Germany is also less expensive than at institutions in other European countries. In general, many German public universities do not charge tuition fees for both domestic and international students.
Types of German student visas
Germany issues different types of student visas depending upon the nature of your course such as graduates, undergraduates, or exchange students. There are three main types of German student visas:
- German University Admission Applicant Visa or Visum Zur Studienbewerbung
- German Student Study Visa or Visum Zu Studienzwecken
- German Language Course Study Visa
1. German University Admission Applicant Visa
If you have been admitted to a German university, you will need to apply for a German student visa.
The German student visa is the most common type of visa for international students who have been legally admitted to a German university and are ready to begin full-time study there.
2. German Student Study Visa
This is for international students who –
- Have applied for university courses, BUT
- Not been officially admitted to the concerned university
In many circumstances, further entrance requirements – such as attending an interview or passing an exam – must be met before enrollment can be verified. This visa is intended for overseas students who need to be in Germany to take acceptance exams for the university to which they have applied.
You must apply for a student applicant visa at the German Embassy or Consulate in your country.
This visa is valid for three months. A six-month extension may be granted. You can stay in Germany for a total of 9 months on this visa. If you have not acquired admission to any institution by the conclusion of the 9-month period, you will be obliged to leave Germany.
This visa allows you to enter Germany in order to complete the additional prerequisites for your intended course of study. Because you cannot apply for a student visa without formal evidence of admission to a German university, you will have to enter Germany on a student applicant visa and complete the necessary paperwork.
Furthermore, if you receive an acceptance letter from a German university during your stay, you can convert from a German application visa to a German student visa and obtain a residence permit to study in Germany.
3. German Language Course Study Visa
This type of visa is needed when you are going to study a course in the German language in Germany.
This visa is for those who want to take an intensive language course that lasts between three and twelve months.
In Germany, such an intense language course must include at least 18 hours of sessions per week.
Note that in some situations, a language course visa may be extended for up to one year, provided that the intention for attending the course is not to pursue further education in Germany.
You will need to apply for a Germany student visa if you desire to continue your studies after completing your language course in Germany. You must return to your home country to apply for a student visa in Germany.
Student visa requirements
- Completed and signed visa application form
- Valid passport
- Two photocopies of your passport
- Your birth certificate of birth
- Your recent passport-size photos
- Proof of financial resources
Step by step application process
Here are the crucial steps in the application process after you have chosen the appropriate visa
Choose your university: Germany has many universities offering a wide variety of courses. You must choose the right course and university. You can take the help of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) which has a database of almost 2,000 programs available in Germany.
Check if you meet the admission requirements: Check that your current qualifications are accepted by the university before applying.
You will need to also review the language specifications. Most courses are taught in German, requiring foreign applicants to show proof of their skills at the German language.
If your course is taught in English, you will have to take a test such as IELTS or TOEFL. Universities will usually state the score/s they require on their websites.
Provide evidence of having enough financial requirements: You may need to provide evidence that you have the required annual funds to cover your living expenses.
Apply to the selected universities: For most courses, you should apply directly to the university’s Foreign Office. Alternatively, you can use the website www.uni-assist.de, a centralized international student admissions portal run by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), but not all universities use this. You may need to apply separately for various courses and universities to improve your chances of being accepted by the university.
Many German universities may apply for admission twice a year-either in the winter semester or in the summer semester. As a general rule, applications for winter registration must be made by 15 July, and applications for summer registration by 15 January.
Submit the required documents: Every university will have its own requirements for documents, but the general documents required by universities are:
- Copy of your high-school diploma or previous degrees, and any other relevant qualifications
- Passport photo
- Copy of your passport
- Proof of language proficiency
- Receipt of payment of application fee
Get health insurance: Health care insurance is mandatory in Germany for international students. Thus, you need to get health insurance to cover your medical needs in case of emergency in Germany. You will have to pursue your student health insurance coverage before enrollment at your university.
Processing time
The German embassy takes between 20-25 days to process a student visa application. However, it depends on a variety of criteria, such as the country or embassy to which you apply. It could take up to 6-12 weeks in some cases, with the maximum processing time being 3 months. So, applying well in advance is advisable.