Germany visa interview appears to be the most frightening part of the process for students wishing to study abroad, but this should not be the case. That a foreign university has offered you admission shows that they believe you are in good academic standing and possess the necessary skills to pursue your desired program.
The purpose of a visa interview in Germany is to ensure that you are mentally prepared to study in the country. Academic excellence is only a small part of the total package that students must possess in order to succeed abroad.
Students must be mentally mature and self-sufficient because studying in Germany is not always a smooth ride. There will be hiccups along the way.
Visa officers simply want to ensure that you have made all the preparations for your life as a student studying abroad. This article is a full guide on the student visa Germany interview.
What is an Interview Session for a German Student Visa?
Some international students who wish to study in any German educational institution face a double challenge. First, they will have to deal with the stress of being accepted into their preferred German university.
Second, but no less concerning, is the time and effort required to gather all the required documents for the German student visa application process, including preparation for the visa interview session.
During the visa interview session, general, personal, and specific questions must be answered, as well as questions about the applicant’s future plans after completing their studies in Germany.
Student Visa Interview questions categories
Although no one can be certain of the exact questions to be asked of the next German student visa applicant, there are some that are frequently asked.
These questions highlight the following issues:
- Deciding about furthering one’s education in Germany
- Understanding of Germany
- Information on upcoming studies in Germany
- Academic and skill level at the moment
- Current and projected financial situation
- Common knowledge about the field of study
- Germany’s Accommodation
- Relationships with people from Germany and Europe
- Vacations and semester breaks
- Future projections
Tips for attending a Student Visa Interview
The student visa Germany interview would be unlike any interview you have been to before. If you want to be considered a serious candidate for the visa, you should treat the visa interview session seriously.
Your appearance and behaviors must reflect the best aspects of yourself. You cannot expect to be treated with respect if your appearance and behavior show otherwise. A person who does not dress and behave appropriately, who is not punctual, and who does not use appropriate arguments during the interview cannot expect to receive good news.
Let us reveal some of the details you must pay attention to in the student visa Germany interview, in order to save money and ensure the success of your German student visa.
When to Go to the German Embassy/Consulate?
When going for the student visa Germany interview, be punctual. Do not arrive too early, and especially do not arrive more than a minute late for the interview. Make sure you arrive at the German Embassy/Consulate a few minutes early so you can gather your thoughts and breathe. It is critical that you greet everyone on the team; you never know what impressions you will leave.
It is not advisable to drive on the day of the student visa Germany interview. You don’t want to waste time and effort looking for a free parking spot on such a stressful day. You may also become disoriented in traffic and arrive late for the interview. Ensure that you are driven to the Embassy or that you take a taxi early enough before the interview hour.
What to wear for the Student Visa Germany Interview?
You must put in a lot of effort with the dressing. Wear outfits that are comfortable but not ostentatious. You can dress formally and discreetly by wearing a dress or a shirt and pants.
Overdressing, wearing strong fragrances, exposing too many body parts, tattoos, or wearing too many accessories especially those with specific discriminating figure/significance should be avoided. You’re not going to a festival or a coffee shop, so avoid shirts with printed images or quotes.
What to take with you to the Student Visa Germany interview?
On the day of your interview, you must bring the entire list of German student visa supporting documents with you. On the day of the interview, the visa staff will expect you to have all the required originals and copies of such documents, in the required standard.
Make sure you have everything in order; do not expect visa officials to photocopy your visa documents or to wait until you return home to collect the missing documents for your visa dossier. This is not what you should do, so be well-organized and double-check that you have included all the documents in the ordered list before the interview day.
How to Answer Questions in the Student Visa Germany Interview?
There is no other way to respond than directly and honestly; do not lie or avoid questions. There are some questions that visa officers may ask that they are already aware of, but they simply want to know if your intentions are genuine and you do not intend to misuse your student status in Germany.
During the student visa Germany interview, you should only be honest and open with yourself.
What to say in the Student Visa Germany Interview?
All the information you provide to the visa officers through your responses must be consistent with the documents you provide and your current or previous situations. When responding to questions, try to be brief, direct, and straightforward.
What should you not say in the Student Visa Germany Interview?
Being truthful and forthright during an interview does not imply excessive talking and unnecessary detail. Try to be specific and avoid providing information about things that aren’t directly related to the question.
If you do not require a German visa, you will not be required to attend a German visa interview. You do not need a visa or any other documents to enter and study in Germany if you are from the European Union, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland.
However, upon arrival in Germany, you must register with the local Residents’ Registration Office. If you want to study in Germany for over three months, you must register with the Residents’ Registration Office for a Residence Permit.
If you are from China, Mongolia, or Vietnam, you must first complete the APS process and have your documents (e.g., language certificates, diplomas, school-leaving certificates, etc.) checked before applying for university and a German student visa. As a result, the APS interview will be more difficult than the visa application interview, and you should be better prepared for it than for the visa interview.
Do I Need a Visa to Study in Germany?
To study in Germany, not everyone requires a visa. Visa-free travel to Germany for study purposes is available to residents of the following countries:
- EEA/EU citizens
- Australia
- Andorra
- Brazil
- Canada
- El Salvador
- Honduras
- Israel
- Japan
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- San Marino
- Switzerland
- The United States
- South Korea
If they do not list your home country, you will need a visa to study in Germany. If you are a resident of one of the above countries, you must register with the Residents’ Registration Office within two weeks of your arrival in Germany.
Furthermore, residents of Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco, and San Marino require a visa if they want to work during or after their studies.
What Type of Visa Do I Need to Study in Germany?
You must apply for the appropriate visa to Germany based on the purpose of your visit. If your visit to Germany is for educational or long-term purposes, you are not eligible for a Short-term/Schengen visa (C Visa). However, you will need to apply for a long-term Germany National Visa (D Visa).
Furthermore, depending on the specifics of your study program, you should know there are three types of German Student visas:
- Visa for Language Courses German language courses range from three months to a year.
- Visa for Student Applicant. If you haven’t received a formal admission letter from the university you applied to, or if you need to take one of the university’s entrance exams. It is valid for three months with the option of extending it to six months.
- Visa for Students. If you have been accepted to a German university, this is a long-term visa. Remember to register with the Alien Registration Office in the German city where you will be living within two weeks of your arrival in order to get your Residence Permit.
What Documents do you need to Pass a Student Visa Germany Interview?
When going for the student visa Germany interview, you must meet the following requirements in order to obtain a German student visa:
- Two completed and signed national visa forms.
- A valid national passport
- You must provide two photocopies of your passport.
- Certificate of birth
- Marriage certificate (if married).
- Certificate for a child (if you have children).
- Two biometric portrait photographs that were recently taken.
- Photocopies of previous German residency documents. (If you have previously visited Germany.)
- Previously held a Schengen visa.
- Previously held a Resident Permit.
- Evidence of Financial Resources. To get a German student visa, you must meet the financial requirements. You should have one of the following, depending on your circumstances:
- Commitment letter: You can get this from a German citizen who shows that they will cover your accommodation or other living expenses.
- Declaration letter. Your parents demonstrate that they will provide you with financial support during your stay by doing so.
- Certificate of scholarship. The certificate should state what the scholarship will cover and that you are the recipient of that financial help.
- Admission letter to university
- Admission letter to a foundation/propaedeutic/German language course.
- Original transcripts of previous education.
- Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) (CV)
- Letter of Motivation Explain why you chose this degree program and what your future plans are.
- Travel Medical Insurance. (Approximately 3 months from departure to enrolment at the German university). As of March 5, 2020, students aged 29 and under can take advantage of free travel health insurance for up to 31 days, courtesy of German Student Insurance.
- Language proficiency in German (Intended for German or mixed-language programs.)
- Language proficiency in English. (Intended for English or mixed-language programs.)
Once you have all these documents before going for the student visa Germany interview you have passed the major hurdle.
Frequently Asked Questions
During the visa interview session, general, personal, and specific questions must be answered, as well as questions about the applicant’s future plans after completing their studies in Germany.
If you have all of the required documents, the application process is fairly simple. You should, however, make sure to come prepared. Here’s how to apply for a student visa to Germany: Go to your country’s German embassy or consulate.
German visas typically take 6–12 weeks to process after an interview with the German consulate. This means you should begin the visa application process 4–5 months before your trip to Germany.
You can always try again, starting from scratch. Try to figure out what went wrong so that you don’t make the same mistake again.
Most visa interviews are extremely brief, often lasting less than 5 minutes. As a result, you should keep your responses brief so that you have enough time to answer all the questions. Again, practicing the interview ahead of time can help.
Conclusion
The primary goal of the German student visa interview is to determine whether you are truly motivated to study and live in Germany. If this is the case, you will have learned about the country.
If you don’t do this, the interviewer will assume you’re uninterested in living and studying there. You should show the consular officer that you are genuinely interested in Germany and have attempted to learn some basic facts about the country.
References
- owlcation.com– Student visa Germany interview questions
- germanystudy.net– student visa Germany interview common questions
- leverageedu.com– German visa interview questions
- schengenvisainfo.com– Germany student visa
- reknownedu.com– German visa interview questions and answer