Check visa type
Student applicant visas and study visas have different proofs.
The study visa is the last step before entry – but the preparation begins immediately after admission. Embassy appointments in countries with long waiting times must be booked 8-16 weeks in advance. If you miss this, you will miss the start of the semester.
The study visa becomes easier if admission, financing, language and scheduling logic are already properly prepared.
Student applicant visas and study visas have different proofs.
An embassy appointment is of little help if approval or financing are not reliable.
Before applying, it must be clear what the obligation, risk and additional evidence are.
As on the homepage: first clarify the direction, then decide on the details.
Requirements
The visa can only be applied for if three things are met: written university admission, a blocked account with sufficient credit and proof of language skills. Without all three, no embassy appointment makes sense.
Three things that must be complete before the appointment
The embassy requires the original acceptance letter. An email confirmation is usually not enough. Only book the embassy appointment once you have received the physical letter.
The blocked account proves financial security for your studies. The minimum amount is €934 per month (as of 2025). For a three-year bachelor's degree: at least €33,624 in the blocked account. The amount is released monthly in the amount of €934.
DSH, TestDaF, Goethe C1/C2 or a comparable recognized certificate. For English-language courses: IELTS or TOEFL. The original certificate must be presented to the embassy.
934 €
Per month, released monthly This amount is updated annually by the Foreign Office. Always check the current value on the German Embassy website.
33.624 €
36 months × €934 = €33,624 This is the minimum amount that must be in the blocked account before the visa is issued. Not the entire amount is released at once.
Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank, Fintiba, Expatrio, Coracle Some providers allow you to open an account from abroad. Fintiba and similar services are specifically aimed at international students.
Real costs
€934 is the visa minimum – not the living minimum Rent in Munich or Frankfurt is between €700 and €1,200. The blocked account only proves the visa requirement - the actual costs are higher.
documents
The list of documents varies depending on the country of origin and embassy. Always check the current list on the website of the responsible German embassy - not the general list from the Foreign Office.
Complete embassy appointment checklist
Embassy waiting times
8-16 weeks
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya
10-18 weeks
Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Senegal
6-12 weeks
Türkiye, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan
8-14 weeks
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
4-8 weeks
China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand
6-10 weeks
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia
4-8 weeks
Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Belarus, Serbia
4-10 weeks
Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Argentina
4-6 weeks
Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait
Waiting times vary depending on the season, current application volume and embassy. Always check the current appointment availability directly in the embassy appointment booking system.
What goes wrong
Booked the embassy appointment too late
If you wait until all documents are ready, you will no longer have an appointment before the start of the semester in countries with a waiting period of 10+ weeks. Book an appointment as soon as approval is available - prepare documents at the same time.
Blocked account set too low
934 € × 12 months for an annual semester - if you only plan for one year and need longer, you will have to top up your account and possibly apply for a new visa. Plan generously: factor in the entire duration of your studies.
Incorrect or expired translations
Translations without a sworn note will be rejected. Older certificates (over 6 months) are sometimes not accepted. Check all documents to ensure they are up to date and have been sworn in.
Passport expires too early
The passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the planned end of your stay. If you only notice this at the time of your appointment, you will have to book again. Check expiration date before booking appointment.
No suitable health insurance
Travel health insurance is not accepted. It must be health insurance that applies to students in Germany - statutory or private student insurance. Complete before the appointment and take proof with you.
The appointment
The embassy appointment usually lasts 20-45 minutes. The documents are checked, a short interview is conducted and the biometric data is recorded.
Process, interview and what comes after
| phase | What happens | Duration approx. |
|---|---|---|
| Entry & waiting time | Security check, entry with appointment and passport | 5-15 mins |
| Document verification | All documents are checked and copied individually | 10-20 mins |
| Interview | Short questions about your intention to study, language skills, financing | 5-15 mins |
| Biometrics | Fingerprints and photos are recorded digitally | 5 mins |
| Graduation | Passport will be kept, collection date or shipping information will be communicated | 2 mins |
The passport remains with the embassy. The visa is usually issued and recorded in the passport within 2-6 weeks. With the visa, entry can take place within the validity period. The first visa is considered a student visa for entry - after matriculation, a residence permit is applied for in Germany.
What comes next
You know what the visa needs.
Let us clarify whether your situation is ready for this.
Free · No obligation · 30-45 minutes
Students who want to prepare their visa and avoid mistakes with financing, appointments or documents.
Check your approval, blocked account, language and deadline together.
Check study visaAs of: May 2026. Lalmano checks content editorially and is based on official information, including from Foreign Office, BAMF and Make it in Germany. The content does not replace individual legal advice.