All About Germany Student Visa Processing Time

To study in Germany you need to apply for a Schengen visa. That is,  if you want to stay in the country for less than 90 days. A Schengen visa is also known as a C visa or a short-term visa. Those who want to stay for a longer period need to apply for a  D visa. Before applying for a German student visa you must know its eligibility criteria, requirements, and application process. You must also know about the German student visa processing time. This is because only after the processing period you will receive the visa. Keep reading to learn more about the German student visa processing time.

Germany Student Visa Processing Time for Indians

For Indian applicants, the German student visa processing time is 6 working days. This depends on the public holidays. However, during the peak season, visa processing can take on average of 15 days to process. This is after the visa application has reached the Consulate. Due to the huge demand for Schengen visas, the visa application can have longer waiting times.

Generally, there is no way to expedite the visa application processing. Neither the service provider nor the German Mission can do this. Those who have confirmed tickets within 2 weeks of sending the application are requested to postpone their travel to a later date.

Learn all about studying in Germany as an International student 

Germany National Visa Processing Time 

Below is the processing time for German National Visas or ‘D visas’

Country	Processing Time
India	12 weeks
China	3 weeks
Russia	6-8 weeks
Syria	5-12 weeks
Iran	4-6 weeks
Cameroon	4 weeks (minimum)
Turkey	2 months
Ukraine	12-15 weeks
Tunisia	3 months
Pakistan	5-10  weeks
Morocco	3 months
Egypt	4 weeks minimum
Vietnam	6 weeks – 3 months
Bangladesh	Min. 6 weeks
Nigeria	Up to 3 months
Ghana	Min. 8 weeks
United Arab Emirates	7 working days – 12 weeks
Nepal	8 – 10 weeks
Sri Lanka	3 months
Indonesia	8 weeks
Colombia	Up to 3 months
Mexico	6-8 weeks

Requirements of a Germany Student Visa 

Before applying for a visa, you must know about the requirements and the Germany student visa processing time. Below we have provided some of the eligibility criteria:

• Must have received an offer letter from a German university
• Must have sufficient funds to cover the expenses while in Germany. This includes a blocked account/sponsor/scholarship.
• Additionally, you must have health insurance 

Read this Guide to learn about the admission process in Germany 

Documentation Requirements for a Germany Student Visa 

Some of the essential documents for a German student visa are provided below: The knowledge of these documents, the application process, and the Germany student visa processing time is something that every applicant must know:

• Visa application form and passport, and 2 copies of the passport
• Letter of acceptance from a German university/preparatory college/langauge school
• Academic evaluation certificate, and 3 visa pictures 
• Academic documentation (original documents with 2 copies)
• Proof of finances, and resume 
• Proof of health insurance 
• Submit proof of language proficiency (German B2 level)
• Submit proof of English langauge skills (IELTS/TOEFL score)

Click here to find out the Cost of Living in Germany

Application Process for a Germany Student Visa

You must know the application process, and the Germany student visa processing time, The application process for the Germany student visa are as follows:

• Apply to study a course in Germany 
• Find a German diplomatic mission in India and make sure it is near your residence 
• Make an appointment to submit the visa application
• Gather the essential documents and submit the visa application
• On the day of the visa appointment, visit the embassy and submit the documents 
• On the same day, you may have to provide biometric information and attend the visa interview
• You are also required to pay the visa application fee on the same day
• Lastly, you can wait for a response to your visa application

Watch the video below to learn more about Schengen visa application process

Germany Student Visa Validity

The German student visa validity is for 1 -2 years (for long-term study). Those who haven’t completed their studies during this period need to apply for a visa extension. The German student visa C visa validity is for 90 days. You can study for less than 90 days with a C visa.

Steps to Take After Arriving in Germany

After your Germany student visa processing time has been completed and your visa has been approved, you must take the next steps. After arriving in Germany you can take the following steps for a smooth stay.

• Registering your address:  After you have arranged your accommodation in Germany, you can register your address. For this, you will have to visit a local registration office and obtain a registration certificate. This certificate is crucial as it is necessary to activate your blocked account and apply for a permit.
• Activate your blocked account:  At the time of registration, you will be asked to open a German bank account. The money from your blocked account will be transferred to this account. At this stage, you will be given a debit card/Girocard to have access to your money. The monthly payout is EUR 934.
• Obtain Health Insurance: Those who are under the age of 30 need to register for public health insurance. 
• Obtain your residence permit: The short-stay visa is only valid for 3 months. This means you have to apply for a student residence permit. You must submit relevant documents for the purpose. For example, an offer letter from the university, a certificate of registration, proof of having a blocked account, proof of health insurance, etc.

Check out the 9 Best Part-Time Jobs in Germany: Salary & Recruiters

Countries that Don’t Need a Schengen Visa

Germany is a part of the Schengen area. The country allows nationals from 62 countries to enrol in visa waiver programs. Such nationals can obtain the Electronic Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The ETIAS is valid for 3-10 years. This means they do not require a C visa. Some of the countries that do not need a Schengen Visa. It means the Germany student visa processing time is not applicable to nationals from these countries.

Albania	Andorra	Antigua and Barbuda	Argentina	Paraguay
Barbados	Bahamas	Australia	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Saint Kitts and Nevis
Brazil	Canada	Brunei	Chile	Saint Kitts and Nevis
Colombia	Costa Rica	Dominica	El Salvador	Saint Lucia
Georgia	Grenada	Guatemala	Honduras	Saint Vincent
Hong Kong	Israel	Japan	Kosovo	USA
Kiribati	Macao	Malaysia	Marshall Islands	Seychelles
Mauritius	Micronesia	Mexico	Moldova	Singapore
Micronesia	Montenegro	Moldova	New Zealand	South Korea
North Macedonia	Nicaragua	Palau	Panama	United Arab Emirates

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FAQs

We hope you now understand what are the Germany student visa processing time. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!