Visa Types and Information | Education in Germany
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Visa Types and Information

Schengen Tourist Visa

Schengen Visa is issued to non EU nationals who wish to visit EU countries for business or tourism purposes. The individual needs to apply for this visa a minimum of 2 weeks before the date of departure. This visa can be issued for a maximum period of 90 days. Visa applicants can apply for this visa at German embassies closest to their respective cities/towns. 

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  • List of countries covered under Schengen visa can be accessed under the following link.

  • A comprehensive list of documents required for the visa application process can be found under the following link.

  • List of countries whose nationals need a Schengen visa.
     

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Study Visa - 

with prior admission to a German university

Applying for a student visa in Germany with prior admission at a German university is one of the most preferred ways for foreign students to start their careers in Germany. The mandatory requirements to apply for this visa are a valid admission letter at a German university and sufficient funds to cover living expenses for one year. An initial visa of 3-6 months will be issued to the applicant in his native country which has to be extended to a further of 1-3 years depending the intended study duration. A few advantages of applying for a study visa in Germany are: 

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  • Lower visa rejection rates as compared to the USA and UK. Visa policies are much less stringent and more welcoming as compared to USA and UK. 

  • Student visa can be extended beyond the intended duration of study if the student has valid reasons for not finishing his/her studies in the stipulated time. 


Please refer to this website for further details regarding student visas.

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Job Seeker Visa

A job seekers visa of a maximum of 6 months can be granted to prospective job seekers applying for jobs directly from their native countries. If the applicant has successfully completed his/her graduation in Germany, this period can be extended to a maximum of 18 months. Advantages of a German job seeker visa:

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  • The applicant has the added benefit of complete access to the German job market and lesser chances of visa rejection to search for jobs after graduating. 

  • The duration is much larger as compared to the USA, where students have 60 days.

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Work Visa - with a contract

Job seekers who successfully secure a job in Germany can apply for a work visa. A work visa is granted to applicants whose salary is below the minimum specified range for obtaining an EU Blue Card. Spouses of applicants can live and work in Germany on dependent visas. 

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EU Blue Card

Applicants with a degree from a German university or from a foreign one admissible with German accreditation standards can apply for a EU Blue card. The applicant needs to ensure that he/she has a valid work contract and meets the salary requirements as specified in the visa rules. The current salary limits (May 2020) are 43,056 Euros for engineers, physicians, natural scientists and IT specialists. For other professions, this limit is 55,200 Euros. Advantages:

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  • Spouses of applicants can live and work in Germany on dependent visas. They do not need to have any German language skills for visa application.

  • The applicant is eligible to apply for a permanent residency in Germany after a period of 21 (requirement of German language B1) or 33 months (no language requirements). 

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Dependent Visas for Spouses

Spouses of applicants holding a residence permit or an EU Blue card can apply for dependent visas to live in Germany. After successful application they are allowed to work in Germany and need basic level German skills (A1). They should be able to finance their stay and provide accommodation for themselves. 

Disclaimer: We try to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible. We are however not responsible for any liabilities incurred. 

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