Applying Student Visa for Germany

Applying for a Student Visa

To be considered for a Student Visa, the applicant must first complete an application form for a 'longer stay visa in duplicate. The current application fee for a Student Visa is Euro 25 (currently approx. Rs 1400). The fee is subject to change without notice. An application will not be accepted unless it is made in the prescribed form and with the correct fee 2 passport size photos are needed for the application. The fee is a visa service charge and is non-refundable, irrespective of the outcome of the visa application.

Visa Assessment

Applications will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:
Evidence of Enrollment

Bona Fides

Whether the applicant's German language skills are adequate for the purpose of the proposed course.
The relevance of the proposed course for the applicant's current academic and employment circumstances Applicant’s intentions to comply with visa conditions and leave Germany at the end of the authorized period of stay
Applicant’s migration history and ties with Germany
Adequate Financial Resources
This involves an assessment of the applicant's or his/her sponsor's ability to finance all expenses pertaining to the applicant's education in Germany including the cost of living and a German medical insurance.

Health certificate

It is essential that the applicant meets the German health requirements. This involves the proof of a recent medical check-up and a chest x-ray. The medical certificate should clearly identify the person examined.

Further processing

Once the visa application form and documentation as listed above are completed, they will be sent by the visa section to the competent German authority ('Auslanderbehorde') for final approval. Obtaining this final approval may take up to three/four weeks. Only after completion of this procedure can the Student Visa be issued.

For queries relating to student visa application, please contact the visa sections of the diplomatic representations of the Federal Republic of Germany in India. The addresses are:
German Embassy: PO Box 613, New Delhi-110021
Consulate General: PO Box 6801, Chennai-600105
Consulate General: PO Box 16711, Calcutta-70027
Consulate General: Hoechst House, 10th floor, Nariman Point, 193 Backbay Reclamation, Mumbai-400021 Pre - Departure Information

Pre-departure orientation sessions are organized for students on their way to the foreign destinations following receipt of their student visas. These Sessions give students a taste of what life is like in the foreign, both academically and culturally.

If you have been admitted to a program of study in a foreign college, you should bring with you any syllabi, catalogues, bulletins, course descriptions or other relevant materials issued by the secondary school or university you have attended most recently."

"When travelling abroad, it is important to carry all important documents on your person. Do not put them in a suitcase. Do not loan or give them to anyone unless that person can show you some form of identification that he/she is authorized to receive them."

"Keep in mind that it may take several weeks to have funds transferred from your bank at home to a bank in the foreign - even with a Demand Draft".

"Host Family Programs pair a foreign family with a foreign student for the purpose of friendship and culture sharing. They provide for student visits to a family home for meals, esp. During occasions like Thanksgiving or Christmas.

"For festive occasions, bring a traditional dress and accessories from your country. You may also want to bring any musical instruments you play, pictures of your home, recordings of traditional music and examples of arts and crafts of your country."

Carry some books on Indian Culture and religion. Be prepared to answer questions, often in depth, say on your religion.

Indians tend to stick together when in foreign shores. While this is helpful in getting used to a new place, you tend to lose out on learning about new cultures and countries. Try to make friends from other countries too.

International Airways usually allows students to carry an extra piece of luggage, over and above the mandatory 2 suitcases and a handbag.

Keep your identification on your entire luggage, inside and outside. Missing luggage isn't as rare as you expect it to be. For this reason, it also helps if you keep all important papers and cash in your handbag only, not in the suitcases.

Don't carry Euro100 bills. People do not usually have change for a 100 in cabs and most shops. It is preferable to carry Euro10, Euro20 notes instead. Also, do not carry more than Euro200 in cash if you can help it. Use a credit card, ATM card or traveler's cheque. Less chance of loss or robbery this way. Even an international demand draft usually takes about 2 - 4 weeks to get cash. Carry enough money with you to last you for the first month or so.

Get an International Driving Permit if possible. It is needed to get a driver's license in foreign. A driver's license is an important identification card in abroad, right after your passport. Since you do not want to carry your passport everywhere, it makes sense to get a license. You will need one for cashing a cheque, even issuing one, for renting a car or a house, in fact for most transactions. If you do not know driving, you can even ask the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue a non-driving license to you, used only as an ID card.

Learn to ride a bicycle in case you do not already know it. Students on most campuses ride bicycles - they're cheaper and healthier than cars. An old bike costs about Euro50 - 60, while a new one will set you back by Euro90 or more.

Keep a day's change of clothes in your handbag. This way, if the airline screws up real bad and loses your entire luggage, you will not have to buy clothes immediately

MD/MS(Medical) Course in Germany

Post graduation courses after MBBS is always a point of worry for Indian doctors. PG in Germany after MBBS in India is one of the best options among overseas medical PG options though it is quite complex. They literally have to decide to pursue Medical PG abroad, On looking for alternative solutions.

Post-graduation after MBBS in Germany is pursued by many Indians who tried their best to crack AIPGMEE / NEET PG for 2-4 times and ultimately wished to move ahead by taking a bolder decision in the interest of their passion. First of all, you need to get in touch with the authentic, experienced and knowledgeable overseas education consultant who understands your needs well. The program to become MD in Germany after MBBS in India is filled with quite a few challenges.

The steps are well defined and it takes an additional 2 years to study PG medicine in Germany though it ultimately gives an opportunity for PG in Germany.

How the Institutions are structured:

Since the time of Wilhelm von Humboldt the governing principle has been "the unity of research and teaching". Since the opening-up of the universities, however, with the resulting trend towards mass institutions, this ideal is only partially in line with the times. Aspects such as practical applicability and relevance to vocational requirements are constantly gaining in importance. This is particularly true at Fachhochschulen where the courses are shorter and the curriculum more tightly-organised than at the universities. Ever more new students are opting to study at Fachhochschulen. The "freedom of teaching and research" guarantees institutions the right to self-administration even if they are financed by the state. In the framework of the Higher Education Act of the respective Land, they award themselves their own charters. Universities are headed by a Rector or President, several Pro-rectors or Vice-presidents, and a Chancellor. The Academic Senate is responsible for general affairs concerning research, teaching and studying. It is composed of elected representatives of all the members of the institution, ie. Students and non-academic staff, too. The students elect their own Student Representation. Its various bodies are self-administrating and safeguard student rights with regard to higher education policy, as well as dealing with students' social and cultural interests.

Where do teaching and research take place?

The individual disciplines are grouped together into faculties or departments (eg. the "Philosophical Faculty" or the "Department of Economics"). The faculties and departments are empowered to pass regulations governing studies and examinations. An elected Dean is in charge of faculty or departmental business. Each subject has its own institute or "Seminar" (in Germany this word has a double meaning: a course and a department building or room). This will be the place you spend most of your time because this is where the teaching staff and other students are to be found. You will find literature on your subject in the "Seminar"-library, while general information on your course of study is available from the Departmental Student Organisation ("Fachschaft"). Queries about organisational matters can be addressed to the secretary's office.