Documents for VFS: German student visa (Detailed Guide with sample documents)

This blog will give details about all the applications and documents for VFS regarding German student Visa. This is probably the most comprehensive blog written about this and I will try to address every minute detail. I will first list out the documents needed and then elaborate on how to fill each one of it (along with sample filled documents!).

General Instructions for VFS Documents

You have to fill all these in blue ink. You have sign wherever required (mentioned in the upcoming sections) only and not on every page bottom (i.e. not to be attested). The photo copies can be preferably in colour, but black and white are also accepted. You can print on both sides of the paper. Paper thickness shall be of normal and bond papers are not accepted.

List of Documents for VFS

The documents for VFS regarding German Student Visa are mentioned in detail:

1. VFS Appointment Letter

Nos. required: 1 copy (Need not be submitted)

You can download by logging in to your VFS portal or from the mail which VFS sent during booking confirmation.

2. VISA Checklist

Nos. required:  2 copies

The current version of VISA Checklist (Nov 2022) is available in the link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VV1FY_RR6sVoyQ8kEIEMhKq6TrKpo-gB/view?usp=sharing

You can just sign at the end where “Place and Date, Signature” is mentioned. Note that you have to enter the place as the place of VFS appointment and not your residential address. If you are submitting it at VFS Chennai, mention the place as Chennai. Date should be the date of appointment. The VFS officer will fill the remaining details.

3. VIDEX form

Nos. required:  2 copies

VIDEX form is to be filled online (in the link below)

https://videx.diplo.de/videx/visum-erfassung/#/videx-langfristiger-aufenthalt

You can first set the language to English (if required). Star (*) marked fields are mandatory and you have to fill them, whereas the non-star marked fields are not mandatory. You will have to put the date of appointment at end. If you are a major, you sign at the end is sufficient. However, if you are a minor, your parent/guardian signature is required. I have filled a sample VIDEX form for your reference.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lSzQagAncV2xdS4UlMAiGQVWaIW1WsUE/view?usp=sharing

4. Declaration form

Nos. required:  2 copies

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rPDDVG6zvsXWw4r-N0h3gSasZ29fbEd-/view?usp=sharing

I have filled a sample form for your reference.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qETwG6rUUU55aqI29HAuVxbJxR_jwSaj/view?usp=sharing

5. Additional contact form

Nos. required:  2 copies

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fO-bgukHvwyZ1KYBuApqjR8QIPsQgC2H/view?usp=sharing

I have filled a sample form for your reference.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1McCELZPFtnk_fS4M8nnsyiTT3NWFRlE8/view?usp=sharing

6. Visa Cover Letter

Nos. required:  2 copies

The cover letter should contain key details such as the purpose of your visit, the documents you are attaching, your financing status, etc. You can use the standard format for the cover letter with font as Arial 12pt, 1.5 line space. Date shall be the appointment date. You are required to sign at the bottom of the page. The sample Cover Letter is attached. Cover Letter should be 1-1.5 pages (Max.)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VHDEkpaXD-fZj6PQYmVk_tzpGT8eSrlI/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=112618413126531357764&rtpof=true&sd=true

7. Letter of Motivation

Nos. required:  2 copies

You can use the standard format for the letter of motivation with font as Arial 12pt, 1.5 line space. The Motivation Letter should contain the details about you (with some background), your reason for choosing Germany, University and Course. You should also describe your future plans and how you will be useful to Germany. Date shall be the appointment date. You are required to sign at the bottom of the page. The sample LOM is attached. LOM should be 1-1.5 pages (Max.).

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WVq6bN6qqI6ArT77r86gEaREPa2cIe7f/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=112618413126531357764&rtpof=true&sd=true

8. APS Certificate

Nos. required:  1 Original (for verification only), 2 copies (to be submitted)

9. University Acceptance Letter

Nos. required:  2 copies

10. University Fee payment receipt

Nos. required:  2 copies

If the university is a public university, it is not mandatory to show fee payment proof, though it is better if available. For private university with fees, you have to show the payment receipt.

11. University Enrollment Letter (if available, not mandatory)

Nos. required:  2 copies

12. CV

Nos. required:  2 copies

CV has to be filled in Europress format and should not exceed 2 pages.

13. English/German Proficiency

Nos. required:  2 copies

If German proficiency is mentioned in the admission letter, then it will be required to submit. If the course is in English and is mentioned in admission letter, you can attach your TOEFL/IELTS scorecard.

Note: I heard across some cases where the student did not write TOEFL/IELTS and even though the university mentioned in admission letter that the student meets the required language criteria, Visa staff created an issue saying that they need TOEFL/IELTS. So it is better to have the valid score of English proficiency.

14. Bachelor’s Degree, Marksheets 12^th and 10^th certificates

Nos. required:  1 Original (for verification only), 2 copies (to be submitted)

You need Bachelor’s Degree, Marksheets of every semester, 12^th Degree and marksheet, 10^th Certificate.

15. Employment letter (if applicable, not mandatory)

Nos. required:  2 copies

You can submit your ID card and last 3 months payslips as well to indicate that you are still employed.

16. Residence Certificate

Nos. required:  2 copies (original need not be submitted)

This is your proof of address you have been staying in the last 6 months and can be given by your employer or landlord. Note that this address is important, as based on this only we can apply for the corresponding VFS. If you are in Bangalore for the last 6 months, you have to apply for Bangalore VFS only and show the proof of stay in Bangalore.

17. Blocked Account Confirmation

Nos. required: 2 Copies

Form 06 should be submitted which will be issued to you by your blocked account provider when you fully transfer the blocked account money to them. No other form like A2 form, education loan sanction letter, etc. are required and Form 06 alone is sufficient. Also note that education loan sanction letter alone is not sufficient and form 06 is a must. Details regarding the best education loan scheme is in the link below.

https://explorde.in/best-education-loan-scheme-for-masters-in-abroad/

In the case of public Universities where there is no tuition fee and only a small “semester contribution fee” is charged, the confirmation of the blocked account (Form 06) is sufficient and no other documents such as the bank statement, ITR, etc. are necessary. If the semester contribution fee has been paid, the receipt or confirmation of payment may be submitted, but this is not mandatory. In the case of private universities with tuition fees, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds for the first year.

18. Bank Statement (if applicable)

Nos. required: 2 Copies

For private universities, where the university does not allow you to pay second semester fee, you can show you bank statement (which has sufficient money) or you can transfer the additional amount to Blocked Account.

19. Preliminary Travel Insurance Certificate

Nos. required: 2 Copies

I used Expatrio and you get a preliminary travel insurance certificate with it. Note that the date of travel should be on or beyond the date mentioned in this certificate. This date can be changed on the Expatrio portal and you can download the certificate with updated date.

20. Preliminary Health Insurance Certificate

Nos. required: 2 Copies

I used Expatrio and you get a preliminary Health insurance certificate with it. Note that it contains the date of course commencement.

21. Passport Photo Copy

Nos. required: Original (for verification, not to be submitted), 2 Copies (to be submitted)

The passport copy shall have the full name sheet along with the first page and similarly the last page containing the address. They should be printed on a single A4 paper back-to-back and not on two different papers.

22. Biometric Photos 3 Nos.

Biometric photos should be as per the specifications mentioned

https://india.diplo.de/blob/2288442/db62d4851cc7adf4851b5bc35f721d84/biometric-photos-english-data.pdf

The photo shall be 35x45mm exactly and it should not have any borders. It is mentioned that the background should be grey, but I was asked white background photos during my appointment. So, it is better you can carry both colors of atleast 6 copies each. Biometric photos can be taken at any proper studio and you will be charged around Rs. 150-300/- for 8 photos.

Now armed with these essential documents, you can confidently embark on your journey to obtain the German Visa at the VFS center. But before you do, take a moment to read our insightful article. It provides a comprehensive overview of the entire process, highlighting the major steps and key points you need to know about your VFS appointment.

https://explorde.in/germany-visa-for-indians-my-complete-experience-at-vfs/

That’s a wrap! I hope the information about documents for VFS (German Student Visa) was valuable. Don’t forget to share it with those who may benefit from it.

That’s a wrap! I hope this information was valuable.

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