Germany Student Visa (2027): Requirements, Proof of Funds, Fee, Processing Time

What you need

Applicants for the national student visa generally need:

1. A completed and signed visa application form and declaration.
2. One recent biometric passport photo.
3. A passport valid for at least three months beyond the intended stay, with at least two blank pages, issued within the last ten years.
4. Proof of admission to a German university, preparatory language course or Studienkolleg, showing the language of instruction.
5. School and university certificates, with a transcript if the degree certificate does not list courses studied.
6. A curriculum vitae and a letter of motivation.
7. Proof of language skills in the language of instruction, unless already confirmed in the admission letter. Without a preparatory language course, at least B2 is expected as a rule.
8. Proof of financial resources of at least EUR 992 a month, or EUR 11,904 for one year, most commonly through a blocked account opened before the visa application.
9. Proof of health insurance valid from the date of entry. If statutory insurance only starts once studies begin, travel health insurance covering the Schengen area with at least EUR 30,000 cover is needed for the gap.

How to apply

1. Secure an unconditional offer of admission from a German university, language course or Studienkolleg.
2. Open a blocked account, or arrange another accepted form of proof of financial resources, before applying for the visa.
3. Arrange health insurance that covers the date of entry into Germany.
4. Book a visa appointment at the German embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence as early as possible, since demand for appointments is high at many missions.
5. Attend the appointment with the complete, ordered set of documents and pay the visa fee in cash in local currency.
6. Wait for a decision. This can take several weeks and sometimes months depending on the mission.
7. After entering Germany, register your address and, if required, convert the entry visa into a residence permit at the local immigration office (Auslanderbehorde) before it expires.

Why applications are refused

German missions can reject an application that is incomplete, arrives with documents out of the required order, or does not prove financial resources for the full amount and period required. A passport that fails the validity, blank-page or issue-date rules, an admission that is only conditional, or health insurance that does not cover the date of entry can also lead to refusal. Missions state directly that incomplete documentation may result in rejection.