Requirements to study in Germany for Egyptian students

Germany is the top destination in the Schengen area for Egyptian students looking to attend universities in Europe. If you are from Egypt and thinking about studying in Germany at the undergraduate or graduate level, there are several different pathways available to you, many of which offer scholarships in Germany for Egyptian students. Today’s blog therefore offers guidance for Egyptian citizens who are looking to get a German student visa. Read on for an overview of how to apply for study in Germany, and other student visa requirements for Egyptians. Finally, this blog will also discuss general information about Schengen visas for students—for those seeking to engage in shorter periods of study in Germany.

Studying in Germany: Overview

• If you are an Egyptian citizen who is looking to study in Germany for either a short-term or long-term period, you will need to apply for a visa in order to legally enter and reside in the country. 
• Would-be applicants to German educational programs lasting longer than 90 days, including undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and post-doctoral degree-seeking students, should apply for a National visa for Germany. 
• In contrast, Schengen visas for Egyptians are available for students looking to stay in Germany for short-stays (under 90 days). 
• Students seeking long-stay visas for study purposes should apply to get a German student visa, either a Prospective Student visa (Visum zur Studienbewerbung) or a Student visa (Visum zu Studienzwecken). The visa you apply for will depend on whether or not you have already been admitted into a German university when you seek to enter Germany. 
• Would-be students who have yet to be accepted into the German program they applied to should apply for a Prospective Student visa. This visa allows you to enter and remain in Germany for 3-6 months while you attempt to fulfill the criteria for entry into the German university you applied to. After successfully obtaining admission, you can apply for a Student Residence Permit, which will allow you to complete your studies. 
• In contrast, students who have already been accepted into a German program/university should apply for a Student visa, which is valid for three months, in which period of time you should seek out the Alien Registration Office in your respective town, through which you should apply for an extended residence permit. 

How to apply for study in Germany

• If you want to apply for a visa to study in Germany, you should follow these general steps: 
  • Step #1: Determine what course you want to apply for:
    • If the enrollment period is for longer than three months, you must apply for a German National visa. 
    • If you can complete the course in 90 days or fewer, you should apply for a Schengen visa. 
    • If you have already received admission into a German university, you should apply for Student visa. 
    • If you are waiting to hear your admissions results, you should apply for a Prospective Student visa. 
  • Step #2: Apply for admission into the course/university:
    • German universities usually have a number of pre-requisites you must fulfil in order to be eligible to apply for entry into the school/program. 
    • For example, many schools require students to fulfil a German language requirement in order to study. 
    • Research the pre-requisites for entry into your specific school/course, and make sure you satisfy them as part of your application. 
  • Step #3: Apply for visa to Germany:
    • Egyptian students need a visa to enter Germany for any period of time. 
    • Egyptian students should apply for their visa to Germany via the German embassy located in their country of residency. For example, if you are an Egyptian applying from Egypt, you will apply through the German embassy in Egypt.
    • Contact your specific embassy for specific information on how to apply. 
  • Step #4: Register at the Resident’s Registration Office:
    • After you arrive in Germany and obtain a fixed address, you must register at your local Resident’s Registration Office, or Einwohnermeldeamt, (known alternatively as the Bezirksamt or Bürgerbüro). 
    • Obtaining confirmation of your registration in written form, known as Meldebestätigung, will allow you to proceed with step #5.
  • Step #5: Apply for residency:
    • After completing step #4, you will ultimately have to apply for student residency.
    •  Depending on the type of visa you entered with, you have around 3-6 months before you must apply for student residency. This will enable you to stay legally in Germany and continue your studies. 

Scholarships in Germany for Egyptian students

• There are a number of scholarships in various amounts available for Egyptian students looking to study in Germany. Some of these scholarships are offered by the German government, while others are offered by individual German universities/educational bodies. 
• If you are interested in obtaining a scholarship to study in Germany, contact the school you are applying to for available opportunities. You may also consider the following scholarships offered by the German government: 
  • Deutschlandstipendium
    • Offers €300 EUR monthly. 
    • Offered by the Federal Ministry of Education. 
    • Available to academically excellent students.
    • Click here for more info.
  • Stipend Plus
    • Offered by a collective of over a dozen organizations related to the Ministry of Education and Research. 
    • Available for students admitted to advanced public/state German universities.
    • Available to bright change-makers. 
    • Click here for more info.
• In addition to the specific scholarships above, you can also browse available scholarships offered by the Federal Ministry of Education Research, via the Stipendienlotse, here, or search the German Academic Exchange Service, here, for scholarships available to international students.  

Student visa requirements

• Student visa requirements vary depending on the kind of student visa you are applying for. 
• For example, the requirements for Schengen Student visas are different from those for German National Student visas. 
• In general, all Egyptian applicants applying for a visa to Germany must supply their passport, an application form, biometric information (fingerprints and photo), and proof of subsidence (i.e. that you can afford your stay). Click here for a list of Schengen student visa requirements.
• In addition to the general above requirements, applicants for German Student visas (non-Schengen) must provide proof of admission into a German university. In contrast, Egyptians seeking German Prospective Student visas do not need to supply evidence of admission into a German university, but they do need to present evidence of university entrance qualifications. 
• Please note that in addition to satisfying the requirements related to your specific student visa, you will also need to fulfill all the requirements related to the specific education program/course of study you applied for. 

Schengen visas for Egyptians

• If you are an Egyptian who is looking engage in a short stay in Germany for educational purposes, you may want to apply for a Schengen visa. Click here for an overview of the German Schengen Visa application process.
• Schengen visas are available for several different types (i.e. purposes). As a would-be student, you should apply for a Study Schengen visa for Germany. 
• Egyptian applicants for Study Schengen visas for Germany should apply through the Germany embassy in Cairo. You can begin this process by filling out an online application here. (Click here for complete information on how to apply for Schengen visas for students).
• Schengen visas limit you to 90 days in the Schengen area, which means that any course of study you select must be limited to 90 days. 
• Please not that Schengen visas are not right for those looking to enroll in a period of study longer than 90 days. Students therefore who are pursing year-long course work or complete degrees at a university in Germany should look into applying for a National visa to Germany.