Applying for a Germany Student Visa from Nepal
Aspiring to finish your further education at the top-rated universities in Germany? You will come across multiple student visas to complete your education in Germany. Depending on a few factors and your future aims, you will require a different visa whether you wish to study, work, travel, or in case, aspire to settle in this country permanently.
Before diving into the depths of German student visa application, let's get an overview of the total types of student visas available in this country.
Types of Student Visas in Germany
There are mainly three types of student visas in Germany. These are:
- German Student Applicant Visa or Visum Zur Studienbewerbung is required for international students who might haven't yet selected the course or are still awaiting their acceptance from the educational institution.
- German Student Visa or Visum Zur Studienzwecken applies to those who already might have been accepted for any university course.
- German Language Course Visa is required for students who are accepted for language preparatory courses, which technically might last from 3 months to one year.
A German visa is a mandate for any international student who is coming from non-EEA or EU countries. Understanding the types of German study visas available for international students is important before you start your application process.
A German Student Visa might not be expensive, but it will require one to overcome some bureaucratic challenges before the country grants it. Also, one needs to visit the German Consulate to get a visa.
So, what do you do if you are applying for a Germany student visa form Nepal? What are the key requirements for a German student visa? How do you apply for this visa from Nepal? If these are a few questions wandering through your mind, here is an in-depth guide for your reference:
What are the German Student Visa Requirements for Nepalese Students?
Generally, to apply for a German student visa, one needs to submit the following documents:
- Proof of academic acceptance from the university related to the selected/applied course
- Current biometric portrait photo
- Proof of paid visa application fee
- Proof of German and English language proficiency
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if already married)
- Previous residence permit, if any
- Poof of the student health insurance
- Proof of existing academic qualifications
- Previous Schengen Visa, if applicable
- Statement of Purpose
- A valid passport and its photocopies
- Proof of sufficient amount of funds to cover the expenses of your tenure in this country, like sponsorship or scholarship or a blocked account
Apart from this, it is mandatory for the student to get an overview of the total expenses of living and studying in Germany. It is important to find a proper way to cover these expenses and even get some additional help from scholarships or funding programs. In case of a shortage of funds, one can definitely opt for a student loan before applying for a student visa.
Other than this, remember to get valid health insurance as you need proof that you have already registered for the same for your visa. Also, international students who are above 30 have the choice to select between private and public healthcare insurance coverage. But the ones under 30 need to apply for public health insurance, and they can also enjoy a special discounted price of around €110 per month.
Where to Apply for a German Student Visa in Nepal?
Typically, the German student visa process is time-consuming and pretty lengthy. You need to be patient with the entire process. Since you will be applying for a German student visa from Nepal, you need to file it at German Embassy in Kathmandu.
As there is always a surge in the number of applications in Nepal, prepare to get it registered as early as possible. Also, you need to register for the appointment waiting list, and once you have the appointment set up, you will be accordingly notified by the German Embassy.
How to Apply for a German Student Visa in Nepal: Step-by-Step Application Process
The entire process of Germany student visa application tends to vary depending on the country you come from. Although the process might differ, it consists of seven significant steps. Let's get an overview of the visa application process for students from Nepal:
Select & Apply for Study Program
To be able to apply for the German student visa, you need to first get your acceptance letter from the selected university. Browse, research, and select the study program that you have been dreaming of for a long time.
Whether it is a general course or a language study program, ensure to apply as soon as possible to get your proof of acceptance. This shall be your crucial step as the German student visa application tends to be a lengthy process. And to get the visa soon, you need to submit this proof of acceptance to file for the application. As already mentioned above, if you are still awaiting the response from your selected university or college, you can apply for the other German student visa, as applicable.
Find a German Embassy or Consulate in Nepal
Before you start assembling the documents for your student visa application, you need to find the German Embassy or Consulate in Nepal, which can process the application. Several German diplomatic offices in the country might deal with student visa applications. Hence, ensure to find the right one before applying for your visa.
Book Your Visa Appointment
When you get to the German Consulate or Embassy location in your country, you need to book an appointment for your visa. Always remember that you cannot submit the visa application without a prior appointment. Another thing to take into consideration here is that the Embassy might be overloaded with applications and workload, depending on the time of the year. So, it is advisable to book the appointment as early as possible.
Gather Required Visa Documents
One of the crucial steps in filing your student visa has to be your documentation process. A lot of documents and photocopies will be required to file the application. That is why, until you get your appointment date, start gathering your required documents to skip any unnecessary hassle later. Some of the important documents necessary include your passport, photograph, proof of financial support, acceptance letter from your German university, evidence of previous academic qualifications, etc. Ensure the entire set of documents is ready before your appointment, as the visa gets cancelled in case of incomplete submission.
Submit & Pay Visa Application Fees
Once you have gathered all required documents and photocopies, you must submit the application at the German Embassy. Also, you might have to submit your biometric data, like fingerprints, on the same day you attend the visa interview.
Also, you need to pay the visa application fees on your appointment date at the Consulate without fail. The application fee for a German visa is around 75 Euros. It is 37.5 Euros for minors who are below 18 years.
Go Through Visa Interview Process
Generally, this will be a one-on-one meeting with the assigned German Embassy/Consulate Officer, who will ask you many questions about your travel to the country. Be prepared about why you wish to pursue your higher education and how you feel about Germany as a whole, along with other such questions. Remember that you need to perform adequately in this interview session with the Visa Officer to get approved.
Wait for the Visa Response
Once you have submitted all your paperwork and completed the visa interview, you need to wait for the result. The entire visa application process takes around 10-12 weeks approximately. Hence one must be patient with the process as the duration seems to fluctuate depending on the local German Consulate/Embassy. You can enter the country and continue with your course during this tenure. However, if the Embassy denies the visa, you will be issued a letter with detailed information about the reason behind your rejection and what you can do next.
Handling Visa Rejections: Reasons for Visa Application Rejection
Now that you are clear about how to file the German student visa application from Nepal, you also need to know more about the rejection process. Sometimes, student visas are denied or cancelled due to varied reasons.
Do not panic at that moment and refer to the letter issued with detailed information about the rejection. It notified the student about the probable reasons for visa denial and how to go through the process afterwards to get it approved.
But the question is, what can be the probable reasons behind German student visa rejection? Let's find out here:
Lack of Proof of Financial Stability
One of the major reasons behind visa cancellation or rejection has to be insufficient proof of financial stability. Even if you are granted scholarships, you need to be able to bear your costs throughout your stay in the country. That is why showing a blocked account with the required funds to the Embassy for visa approval is mandatory. The funds will help cover expenses related to tuition fees, travel, food, accommodation, and more.
Lack of Previous Academic Records
Germany is often regarded as one of the renowned countries when it comes to its education system. No wonder why there are thousands of international applicants from all over the world to pursue their higher education at these German universities.
Since the competition is too high, it is essential that the students are able to present appropriate proof of academic records to complete their application process successfully. Why? That is because the Embassy needs to understand the skills and motivation of the students to complete their education at these universities. A poor academic record can be a potential reason for visa rejection.
Incapability to Communicate in English/German Language
Another reason to get your visa rejected is the inability to meet the appropriate language requirements that is mandatory for international students. If you are going to study in the German language, you will be interviewed in German only.
So try to communicate correctly in German to demonstrate your speaking capabilities adequately to the Visa Officer. Even for the English-taught courses in Germany, it is mandatory for the student to be skilled enough to adequately communicate using the language and also score appropriately in the language proficiency exam.
Failure to Select the Proper Course
What is your chosen field of study? According to the German authorities, if the course appears to be unnecessary, there is a high chance of getting your visa rejected. The Visa Officers always have pre-defined skills in their minds with which they judge the student's capabilities. If they feel you aren't the appropriate fit for the German universities and their education system, that can lead to visa rejection.
Poor Performance in Visa Interview
Your visa interview will be one of the most crucial aspects to consider when it comes to visa approval. Clearing the interview properly with appropriate information is very important. Suppose you cannot answer the officers' questions correctly, demonstrate any unwanted behaviour, or fail to provide enough data per the visa application specifications. In that case, it might get your visa rejected.
Lack of Travel Health Insurance
Since travel health insurance is vital for getting your visa in Germany, the inability to provide appropriate proof of the same can lead to visa rejection.
Lack of Documents
An incomplete set of documents or an incomplete application can also be the reason for your visa rejection. List the required documents before your appointment date and try to provide everything properly without fail.