Do you need a free Germany work and study visa? Germany is attracting students from all over the world to its world-class universities. However, like any other country, Germany has its own requirements for deciding who enters the country. Furthermore, depending on where you are from, you may need a student visa to enter Germany and pursue your qualification.
You may get a German work and student visa if you’re a foreigner and have received a letter of complete admission for studying at a German university and other recognized higher education institutions. Interestingly, with a German student visa, you can pursue full-time university studies or preparatory measures prior to such studies, such as a foundation course. Germany Work and Study Visa.
In this article we will work you through the German work and student visa requirements as well as the application process, if you’re an international student enrolled (or wishing to enroll) in a German university.
Do I Need a Visa to Study in Germany? Work and Study Visa
To study in Germany, not everyone requires a visa. However, residents of the following countries are eligible for visa-free study travel to Germany:
- EEA/EU citizens
- Andorra
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- El Salvador
- Honduras
- Israel
- Japan
- Monaco
- United States
- New Zealand
- San Marino
- South Korea
- Switzerland
If your country of residence is not listed above, you will need a visa to work and study in Germany. However, do not worry, since we will give you all the essential pieces of information you need in this article.
If you are a resident of any of the above-mentioned countries, keep in mind that you must register with the local Residents’ Registration Office within two weeks of your arrival in Germany.
Furthermore, Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco, and San Marino residents require a visa to work during or after their studies. Germany Work and Study Visa.
What Kind of Visa Do I Need to Study in Germany?
You must apply for the appropriate visa to Germany depending on the purpose of your visit. If your visit to Germany is for educational or long-term purposes, you are not eligible for a Short-term/Schengen visa (C Visa). However, you must apply for a long-term Germany National Visa (D Visa). Work and Study Visa!
Furthermore, depending on the specifics of your study program, you should be aware that there are three types of German student visas:
- Work and Student Visa: If you have been accepted to a German university, you will be granted a long-term visa. Remember to register with the Alien Registration Office in the German city where you will be residing within two weeks of your arrival so that you can obtain your Residence Permit.
- Student Applicant Visa: If you haven’t received a formal admission letter from the university you applied to, or if you need to take one of the university’s entrance exams. It is valid for three months and can be extended to six months.
- Language Course Visa: German language courses ranging from three months to a year.
What Study Types Are Available With a German Student Visa?
You can obtain a German student visa if you plan to study in any of the following fields:
- Full-time academic studies.
- German language courses for studies.
- Propaedeutic course
- Mandatory preliminary internship.
- State preparatory college ‘Studienkolleg’: A course you’ll have to take as a foreigner whose high school diploma isn’t recognized in Germany. After finishing the course, you will take the “Feststellungsprüfung.” If you pass the test, you will be awarded a certificate known as a university entrance qualification. You’ll be able to apply for university admission in Germany with that in hand.
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Requirements to Apply For Germany Work and Study Visa
Apply for a German student visa through your country’s German embassy or consulate, or through other application intermediaries. The information and supporting documents you provide are used to make a decision on your application.
However, you must meet the following requirements in order to obtain a German student visa:
- Two duly completed national visa application forms.
- Valid national passport.
- Two photocopies of your passport.
- Birth certificate.
- Marriage certificate (if married).
- Child’s certificate (if you have children).
- Two recently taken biometric portrait photographs.
- Proof of admission at a German education institution. (Send any of the following).
- University admission letter “Zulassungsbescheinigung”.
- Letter of admission in a foundation course. Issued by a Studienkolleg.
- Letter of admission in the propaedeutic course.
- Letter of admission in a preparatory German language course.
- Proof of German language proficiency. (For German-only and mixed-language study programs).
- German Language University Entrance Examination for International Applicants (DSH).
- Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF).
- Goethe Institute German Language Diploma (GDS).
- German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs, Level II (DSD).
- Proof of English language proficiency: (For English and mixed-language study programs).
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Accepted results are PbT (paper-based test) 550 Points, CbT (computer-based test) 213 Points and IbT (internet-based test) 79-80 Points.
- The International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The accepted scores by German universities are 5 – 6.5.
- Authenticated certificates of earlier education.
- German university entrance qualification “Abitur”. Suppose you’ve studied in a German education provider abroad. (If not, send the following documents).
- Recognized foreign academic qualification. This must show you have a qualification equally recognized as the German Abitur.
- Academic records or transcript.
- Curriculum vitae: It must be accompanied by proof of previous and current internship and work experience, if applicable.
- Means of subsistence “Finanzieruungsnachweis”. The evidence you provide must demonstrate that you have enough money to cover your living, housing, and educational expenses. (Please send any of the following.)
- Blocked bank account. The fastest and easiest way to open a German-blocked account is through Expatrio. The Expatrio’s blocked account is accepted by German embassies/consulates throughout the world.
- Letter of commitment by a resident “Verpflichtungserklärung“. This can be obtained from a German resident who shows that they will cover your accommodation or other living expenses.
- Letter of a declaration by a parent. This shows that your parents intend to support you financially during your stay. This must be supplemented by their bank statements for the latest 6 months.
- Scholarship awarding certificate. If you have been awarded a scholarship, the certificate should state what the scholarship will cover and that you are the recipient of that financial assistance.
- Proof of Admission (it can be either of the following).
- University admission letter.
- Letter of admission in foundation/propaedeutic/German language course.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Original certificates of previous education.
- Motivational Letter. Explain why you chose this degree program and what your future plans are.
- Student Travel Health Insurance. (this covers the period from your departure to the date of enrolment at the German university – approx. 3 months).
- Students aged 29 and younger can benefit from free travel health insurance for up to 31 days, offered by German Student Insurance.
- Students aged 30 and older, Language Students, Interns as well as Doctoral Students should take EDUCARE24 by DR-WALTER. The health insurance product EDUCARE24 is both affordable and high-quality, and it is accepted by German embassies and consulates worldwide.
- Proof of having paid the German student visa application fee.
Please keep in mind that German embassies and consulates reserve the right to request additional documentation or certificate verification.
How to Apply for the Germany Work and Study Visa
The application process is fairly simple if you have all the necessary documents. However, you should go prepared. Here’s how to apply for the Germany Work and Student Visa:
- Visit the German Embassy or Consulate in your country: Locate the German Embassy in your country and submit your application there. You should go there and request more information about the application process and make an appointment. However, If your country does not have a German Embassy, go to the German Embassy/Consulate in a neighboring country or an application center to which the German authorities have outsourced visa applications.
- Examine/Review all of the required documents: Make sure you have all of the necessary documents before your appointment. Note, specific document requirements for your country can be found on the official websites of German embassies.
- Prepare for the visa interview: Prepare for the German student visa interview by researching common interview questions online. Furthermore, you should bring the visa application fee payment confirmation to the interview.
How Much Bank Balance Is Required for a German Student Visa?
The amount required by the German Embassy/Consulate to be deposited into the blocked bank account when applying for a student visa to Germany as of October 2022 is €11,208.
Is It Possible to Get a German Student Visa Without a Blocked Account?
It is possible to apply for and obtain a German study visa without a blocked bank account if you meet one of the following requirements:
- Submitting documents certifying your parents’ income and financial assets.
- A friend or relative with a permanent residence in Germany can guarantee that your living expenses will be covered (Verpflichtungserklärung).
However, if you are unable to meet any of the above requirements, the blocked account becomes a compulsory requirement for obtaining a visa to study in Germany.
How long does it take to get a German Work and student visa?
A Germany work and study visa application can take up to 25 days to process. However, it is also dependent on the German Embassy and the country from which you are applying. It may also take up to 6-12 weeks in some cases, with the longest processing time being 3 months.
When Do I Need to Apply for a German Work and Study Visa?
Apply for your German student visa as soon as possible. However, you should first become acquainted with the following German Embassy rule:
Until recently, you could apply as early as three months before your planned trip to Germany. As of the first Sunday in February 2020, you can apply for a trip 6 months in advance.
With this much time on your hands, apply as soon as possible because there may be no interview slots left and you don’t want to miss your trip.
How Much Is the Germany Work and Study Visa Fee?
The fee for a German student visa is €75 and must be paid by bank transfer. Credit cards and checks are not accepted. The money order must be made out to the German Embassy/Consulate in your home country and must be no more than two months old.
| Category | Visa Fee (Euro) |
| Applicants under 18 years old | 37.50 |
| Applicants over 18 years old | 75 |
However, keep in mind, that you will not get a refund if your visa gets rejected. Germany Work Visa
What Can and Cannot You Do With a Valid German Student Visa?
As an undergraduate, graduate, or vocational degree student, there are a few things you should be aware of regarding the student residence permit.
As a holder of a Germany work and student visa, you can:
- Apply for an extension of the student residence permit. This is possible if you haven’t finished your planned studies within the visa period and will finish them in a reasonable amount of time.
- Get a part-time job. You may work up to 120 working days per year, even if you are already working part-time at an academic institution where you are studying. However, your work must not interfere with your studies.
- Stay in Germany after you finish your program: After completing your program, you can apply to extend your permit for up to 18 months. If you want to work in Germany during that time, you should do this. If you find work, you will need to apply for a German Employment Residence Permit.
- Apply for a residence permit for job-seeking after graduation. You will only be able to apply for this type of residence permit if you have completed your studies in Germany. With this type of residence permit, you will be able to look for work or start your own business for up to 6 months after graduation. You could get a temporary job while looking for a permanent job that matches your academic qualifications.
As a holder of a German student visa, you cannot:
- Get a full-time job. You cannot get a job that requires you to work 240 days per year. Despite this, you are not eligible to apply for a work permit while a student.
- Abandon study lessons. Failure to participate in study sessions may result in losing your right to stay in Germany.
How to Get My Student Residence Permit in Germany
Obtaining your Student Residence Permit is a must once you arrive in Germany. Make sure to carefully follow the steps below:
- Register your address in Germany. In Germany, register your address with the local residents’ registration office nearest to your home. Following that, you will receive the “Meldebescheinigung” registration confirmation.
- Arrange an appointment with the Immigration Authorities closest to you: You should obtain an application form when you go to make an appointment.
- Bring all required documentation to the interview. The following documents will be required on the day of the interview:
- Standard required documents for a student residence permit. (Including the filled-out application form and registration confirmation letter).
- Proof of admission/enrollment in your study program.
- Original certificates of earlier education.
- Registered address in Germany.
- Proof of Health insurance.
- Proof of financial means (any of the following):
- Blocked bank account
- Letter of Commitment
- Scholarship Award.
- Proof of English/German proficiency (Depending on your degree program).
- Confirmation that you have paid the German Residence Permit in Germany fee.
How Long Can You Stay in Germany on a Student Visa?
You will be able to stay in Germany for the first three months with a German student visa. During this time, you will be required to apply for a study permit. The maximum duration of this type of residence permit is two years. Depending on the length of your studies, you will also be able to extend your residence permit. Germany Work Visa
How Can I Get a Visa to Germany?
To apply for a German visa, you must first find the nearest German mission in your country. Following that, you can take the following steps:
- Complete the online visa application.
- Get the necessary paperwork ready.
- Schedule a time for the embassy or consulate interview.
- Show up for the visa interview.
- Give us your fingerprints.
- The visa application fee must be paid, then
- A Trip to Germany
Where Can I Get a German Visa? Germany Work Visa
You must apply for a short-stay German visa at a German embassy/Consulate in your home country or a nearby country. However, if you want to apply for a long-stay visa, you must do so in two places:
- A German Expedition. To enter Germany, you must apply for an entry visa (national D visa) at a German embassy or consulate in your home country.
- The Foreigner’s Office. To obtain your residence permit after entering Germany, you must register at the Foreigner’s Office (Ausländerbehörde).
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