How to apply for your German Student Visa
To study long-term in Germany (longer than 90 days), you will need to apply for a Student Visa. You will also need to obtain a Residence Permit once you arrive in Berlin, which you can apply for at the German Foreigners' Office. You can find more information about the Residence Permit on our accommodation services page.
Although it may seem daunting at first, the visa application process is nothing to worry about, and our student support team are here to help you with advice and guidance if you run into any difficulties.
We also recommend that international students open a blocked bank account to help the visa application process run more smoothly. A blocked bank account is simply a bank account that contains funds which you will only be able to access once you arrive in Germany. Opening a blocked account will reassure the German authorities that you have access to sufficient funds during your time studying in Berlin (minimum 10,236 euros for your first year of study). We recommend using our partner organisation Expatrio to help you set up your blocked bank account. Expatrio can also help you arrange health insurance, among other useful student services. See below for more details.
To get started, here is our step by step German visa guide
Step 1: Having met the entry requirements for your course and submitted your documents, you will get an acceptance letter from Arden University Berlin.
Step 4: You will have an interview at the embassy to give some background information about who you are and your reasons for travelling to Germany.
Step 2: Next, contact the German embassy or consulate in your home country to find out about the visa process.
Step 5: Your visa confirmation will take approximately 2-3 months to arrive, depending on your home country.
Step 3: Prepare your documents as the embassy requests.
Step 6: You will receive your Student Visa, ready to join us and start studying in Germany!
Documents you will need to submit to your local German embassy include:
- A certificate of health insurance
- A valid passport
- 3 passport photos (with biometric passport specifications)
- Proof of finances in your blocked bank account (minimum 10,236 euros)
- Letter of acceptance from Arden University Berlin
- Academic certificates from your previous studies
- Proof of English language ability and the Residence Permit fee (currently 60 euros).
Arden University Berlin recommends using our partner organisation Expatrio to assist you with opening your blocked bank account.
Our partners Expatrio can assist you with the following before your arrival in Germany:
Opening a blocked bank account
Expatrio can help you open a blocked bank account, which can be set up online from your home country before applying for your visa. Being able to show that you have enough funds to cover your living costs is essential for obtaining a German Student Visa. Your blocked bank account will need to contain at least 10,236 euros to cover your first year of study.
Obtaining German health insurance
Private or public health insurance cover is essential for all residents in Germany. Expatrio can help students under the age of 30 register for public health insurance at a discounted student rate.
Opening a current account
You will also need to set up a German current account. This is not a requirement for obtaining your visa, but it is much easier to have this step completed before you arrive in Germany. Once set-up, you can arrange for living costs to be transferred from your blocked account to your current account on a monthly basis.
Your ISIC card
Expatrio can arrange your ISIC card; the International Student Identity Card, which gives you access to 150,000 discounts in over 130 countries. Many of these discounts are on leisure, food, and travel. The card is also a useful proof of ID and of your student status.
Here some added benefits of using Expatrio’s services:
- Approved by the German Federal Foreign Office
- Individual German IBAN
- Official 'Opening Confirmation' within minutes
- Low fees: €49 (set-up) & €5 (monthly)
- Fast customer service with a 24-hour response guarantee
- Money-back guarantee in case of visa refusal
- Monthly cancellation or extension possible
- Optional: free current account for payouts
For more information about the full range of services Expatrio provides to Arden University Berlin students, please visit the Expatrio website.