Study in Germany: Avoid 8 Mistakes Which Delay Getting a Study Visa

Ruby

October 27, 20239 min read

The multitude of compelling reasons to study in Germany is why the country retains its status as a top choice for international students.

To study in Germany, there are several things you need to know and have in place. You want to be aware of the common mistakes that could delay or even prevent getting a visa to study in Germany.

This article will help you understand how to avoid these mistakes so that you can begin your study in Germany sooner rather than later.

Mistake 1: Not knowing the requirements to study in Germany

You can hardly meet the requirements to study in Germany if you don't know them. There are a few general requirements that you must meet to be eligible for a study visa.

First, you must have been accepted into a German university or accredited educational institution. Second, you must have proof of financial support for your first year in Germany. And third, you must have health insurance.

Some specific requirements depend on your academic background, German language proficiency, and the institution you want to attend. You have to meet all of these requirements, so your plan to study in Germany gets realized.

One important thing to do is to take a detailed check. This check features many recommendations on how to meet each requirement and improve your chances of studying in Germany.

Mistake 2: Not applying early enough for admission

The first and most crucial step in getting a study visa for Germany is to have a letter of acceptance from a German university. This letter is essential to apply for a visa. Without it, your application will be rejected outright.

You should start applying to universities for admission as soon as possible. If you wait until close to the deadline to apply, you may not have enough time to get everything in order. Even if you do, you might receive your acceptance letter later than if you had applied earlier. Worst of all, the Embassy may not have enough time to process your visa if the date you are expected to commence your study in Germany is just around the corner. This can lead to your visa application being rejected.

Make sure you apply to multiple universities to have a backup plan in case your first-choice university does not offer you a spot. It can take several weeks or even months to hear back from universities, so you want to await letters from several universities in the same semester.

Mistake 3: Not having the proper documents

One of the biggest mistakes that students make when trying to get a study visa for Germany is not having the proper documents the embassy expects you to present. These include basics like having a valid passport. Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months after your planned arrival date in Germany. If it is not, you need to get a new passport before applying for your visa.

The German Embassy in your country may require you to submit a transcript of record or a certificate issued by a particular authority. Give due diligence to the type of documents required and even the issue date. When gathering your documents, make sure to check the requirements list carefully. Remember, it can take several weeks or even months to figure out all of the required documents.

Incomplete documentation means incomplete applications, which will likely be rejected. Be sure to double-check that all forms are correctly filled out and signed before submitting them. This will ensure you can commence your study in Germany sooner than later.

Mistake 4: Submitting your visa application too late

Applying for a visa close to the commencement of the semester is just one of many mistakes students make when looking to study in Germany. Visas processing can take several weeks, so it's important to apply for one as soon as you can apply for it. If you wait until the last minute to apply, there is a good chance that your visa application will not be processed in time or may not be processed at all.

Recently, securing an appointment for a study visa interview in some countries has been an issue. Getting an appointment for some category of students can take as long as a year. In such a situation, you might want first to get an appointment with the embassy even before you apply to universities for admission.

If you live in a country where the German embassy requires several months to offer you an appointment for submitting a visa application to study in Germany, you should read 5 Things to Do When Getting a Visa Appointment Takes 12 Months.

Mistake 5: Applying for a visa from the wrong German diplomatic mission

There could be no or several German diplomatic missions in your country. More often than not, embassies process visas while consulates may not. You want to ensure you apply to the right German embassy that processes study visas for individuals from your country or country of residence. If there is more than one German embassy in your country, be sure you go to the right one for your region or state/city.

You will only waste your time and delay the commencement of your study in Germany if your application for a visa to study in Germany is sent to the wrong place. In most cases, you will need to start the visa application process at the right embassy all over again.

Mistake 6: Applying for the wrong type of visa to study in Germany

Another mistake that students make is applying for the wrong type of visa. Some prospective students who want to study in Germany confuse a study visa with a language course visa. There is a significant difference between these two.

A study visa (Studienvisum) allows its holder to enter Germany to complete an entire degree program at a German university. Holders of a language course visa can attend language courses but can't commence studies at a university until they obtain a study visa.

You might need to learn German or attend a preparatory college (Studienkolleg) before you can commence a degree program, which may make it quite confusing for you to decide on the type of visa to apply for. If you are offered provisional admission with the requirement of passing the German language exam DSH or Feststellungsprüfung, you can apply for a study visa in most cases.

It is relatively easier to get a language course visa as you don’t need an acceptance letter from any university to apply for this type of visa. However, if you aim to pursue a university degree, you can't bypass a study visa. In other words, you need a study visa to study in Germany. Feel free to book a path-finding consultation session should you need more clarification about the best visa category with the highest chances of success based on your specific situation.

Mistake 7: Not being able to convince your interviewer

If you're planning to study in Germany, one of the biggest mistakes you don't want to make is being unable to convince your interviewer to issue you a study visa.

How you answer the questions of your interviewer matters a lot. Suppose you provide answers inconsistent with the information on your visa application form or any of your documents. In that case, you are creating room for them to doubt you and thus decide unfavorably on your application. It's best you fill out your visa application form yourself or together with whoever helps you with it.

You should also be able to correctly answer a few basic questions about Germany, for example, How many states are in Germany? Our coaches can help you prepare for your visa interview to ensure you are as well-prepared as possible. We'll advise you on what to wear, what to say, and what to do during the interview. You will get lots of tips on how to answer common questions.

Mistake 8: Not preparing for a test

Did you know that some German embassies test academic skills during an interview? You are expected to be academically fit if you want to study in Germany. Students could be asked a few questions in a subject related to their desired field of study, e.g., maths, chemistry, economics. Although these tests are usually not difficult, some still perform poorly.

If you fail the little test you are given, they could doubt your ability to study in Germany and, therefore, deny you a study visa. So you want to be prepared for the test, especially if you've left school or university for a long time.

Your German language knowledge could even be tested if you claim to have some German knowledge and the degree program you want to pursue is taught in the German language. Starting to learn German before you apply for a visa is a good idea, especially if your study program will be taught in German. This demonstrates that you are serious about studying in Germany.

Conclusion

There are a few things that can go wrong as you pursue your plan to study in Germany. You don't want to be taken aback by changes, so remember to stay updated, as some requirements can change with time—for example, the amount needed for a blocked account. Also, visit the website of the specific embassy you will apply to. Making any severe mistakes can delay your studies or even prevent you from being able to study in Germany. Each mistake is avoidable, and now you know how to avoid them, you will be well on your way to a successful study abroad experience.