Visa Application Guide to study in Germany for Malaysian Students
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Last updated: Feb 2023
TL;DR: As a Malaysian, you can enter Germany without a visa if your stay is 90 days or less. There are different kinds of visas depending on your purpose of entry. This article will discuss about the 5 common visas relevant to our students and the required documents for application:
-Student visa (Preparatory Language Course for further Studies in Germany)
-Student visa
-Language learning visa
-Vocational training/In-firm training visa
– Job-seeker visa
Germany is a member of the Schengen territories. That means visitors can enter not just Germany, but also to the other members of the Schengen territories with the Schengen visa. The following are countries you can visit with the Schengen visa – Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
As a Malaysian, you can enter Germany without a visa if your stay is 90 days or less. However, a longer stay will require a valid visa based on your purpose of entry.
There are different kinds of Schengen visas depending on your purpose of entering Germany:
- Student visa (Preparatory Language Course for further Studies in Germany)
- Student visa
- Language learning visa
- Vocational training/In-firm training visa
- Job-seeker visa
- Employment visa
- Tourist and visitor visa
- Student applicant visa
- Student visa- exchange programme
- PhD/Research visa
- Internship visa
- EU Blue Card visa
- Health professions
- Self-employment visa
- Specialty chef
- Au Pair
Let’s take a closer look at the first 5 visas which are relevant for our students to study and work in Germany. You’ll find the types of visas for different purposes, the documents necessary for the visa application process, and the fees and processing time involved.
For students who plan to attend a German language course in Germany with the intention of applying to a German university.
For identification purpose, you have to be personally present at the German Embassy during the visa submission and prepare the following documents (3 sets- 1 set original, 2 sets of copies) :
- 2x completed and signed National Visa Application forms
- 2x recent biometric passport-size photos (photo specification)
- Valid passport (data page and signature page only)
- Enrolment letter to a language course (at least 18 hours per week)
- Signed motivation letter
- Proof of your past academic qualification/educational certificates in English or with a German translation
- STPM
- Cambridge A Level
- Bachelor’s Degree, etc.
- Conditional admission letter or conditional offer letter to a university
- Proof of German language certificates (Goethe Institute or Telc)
- Travel, Health and Accident Insurance (to be submitted upon approval of your visa)
- Means of subsistence- a blocked account showing €11,208 a year. (€934 per month)
Fee: €75 (payable in Ringgit and cash only)
Processing time: min. 4 weeks
Our students apply for this visa for the final part of the University Preparation Programme conducted in Germany.
For students who have obtained an offer letter from a German university. A German student visa is issued for a period of 90 days. Once in Germany, students will have to make an appointment with the Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde) in the city where the university is located to apply for a Residence Permit (Aufenthaltsgenehmigung).
For identification purpose, you have to be personally present at the German Embassy during the visa submission and prepare the following documents (3 sets- 1 set original, 2 sets of copies) :
- 2x completed and signed National Visa Application forms
- 2x recent biometric passport-size photos (photo specification)
- Valid passport (data page and signature page only)
- Admission letter/Invitation letter from a university in Germany (if received electronically, please submit a printed copy)
- Signed motivation letter
- Proof of your past academic qualification/educational certificates in English or with a German translation
- STPM
- Cambridge A Level
- Bachelor’s Degree, etc.
- Proof of language proficiency in which the course will be conducted (German language proficiency (Goethe)/English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
- Travel, Health and Accident Insurance (to be submitted upon approval of your visa)
- Means of subsistence- a blocked account showing €11,208 a year. (€934 per month)
Fee: €75 (payable in Ringgit and cash only)
Processing time: min. 4 weeks
Upon completion of Bachelor’s Degree, students can extend their temporary permit for another 18 months to find a job in Germany. If the students find a job, they can then apply for an Employment Residence Permit.
Our students convert their preparatory language course visa to this visa once they have obtained a University Admission Letter.
For students who plan to attend language courses in Germany. This visa cannot be converted into a student visa!
For identification purpose, you have to be personally present at the German Embassy during the visa submission and prepare the following documents (3 sets- 1 set original, 2 sets of copies) :
- 2x completed and signed National Visa Application forms
- 2x recent biometric passport-size photos (photo specification)
- Valid passport (data page and signature page only)
- Enrolment letter to a language course (at least 18 hours per week)
- Signed motivation letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Proof of German language certificates (if applicable- Having proof of German proficiency will improve the chance of visa approval.)
- Travel, Health and Accident Insurance (to be submitted upon approval of your visa)
- Means of subsistence- a blocked account showing €11,208 a year. (€934 per month)
Fee: €75 (payable in Ringgit and cash only)
Processing time: min. 4 weeks
For students who have received a contract for vocational training by a company.
For identification purpose, you have to be personally present at the German Embassy during the visa submission and prepare the following documents (3 sets- 1 set original, 2 sets of copies) :
- 2x completed and signed National Visa Application forms
- 2x recent biometric passport-size photos (photo specification)
- Valid passport (data page and signature page only)
- Signed motivation letter in English or in German
- Curriculum Vitae in English or in German
- Proof of German language proficiency (Goethe) at least level A2 with good results or higher if necessary
- Proof of School-Leaving qualification, accredited by the accreditation office (Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle) of the respective federal state
- Proof of any other past qualifications/ education certificates in English or with a German translation
- Contracts for the theoretical and practical training with complete address of company in Germany and registration at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce or Chamber of Crafts
- Training schedule
- Travel, Health and Accident Insurance valid for one month (to be submitted upon approval of your visa)
- Proof of means of subsistence- a blocked account showing €11,208 (€934 per month). If room and board is included as salary, the amount can be reduced accordingly
Fee: €75 (payable in Ringgit and cash only)
Processing time: min. 4 weeks
Our students applying for the Dual Vocational Training apply for this visa once they have received the contract from their training company.
For students who have completed their Bachelor’s degree, returned to their home country, and intend to come back to Germany to look for a job.
This visa is only valid for 6 months and no extension is allowed. If a job is secured within the 6-month period, you can apply for an Employment Residence Permit.
For identification purpose, you have to be personally present at the German Embassy during the visa submission and prepare the following documents (3 sets- 1 set original, 2 sets of copies) :
- 2x completed and signed National Visa Application forms
- 2x recent biometric passport-size photos (photo specification)
- Valid passport (data page and signature page only)
- Signed motivation letter in English or in German
- Curriculum Vitae in English or in German
- Academic qualifications (German University Degree or recognized foreign degree certificate and transcripts)
- Printout of search result from the anabin website or statement of comparability from the German Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)
- Travel, Health and Accident Insurance for the entire visa duration with min. coverage of €30,000
- Proof of means of subsistence- minimum €934 per month plus accommodation
- Proof of accommodation (hotel bookings, rental agreement) for the first month only
Fee: €75 (payable in Ringgit and cash only)
Processing time: min. 2 weeks
Disclaimer
Please note that the above documents are compiled according to the visa requirements by German Embassy Kuala Lumpur. Additional documents may be required for the visa application and you might be called for an interview. For complete information regarding visa application, please visit their website. If you do not reside in Malaysia or are not from Malaysia, please refer to the German Embassy in your home country or country of residency.
Frequently Asked Questions:
The requirement on German proficiency defers for different types of visa. Some visas will require a proof of basic German proficiency (eg. German A1 is required for the application for Preparatory Language Course for Further Studies visa), while others do not make it compulsory.
However, a proof of basic German proficiency will increase your chances of getting your visa approved.
Germany offers great job opportunities for German graduates as a way to retain quality professionals. The chances of getting a job is high as Germany is experiencing mass retirement, leaving many vacancies unfilled. Hence, many companies are looking for fresh graduates to join their team.
Particularly, jobs in industries like healthcare, engineering, IT, and business and marketing have high demands for skilled professionals. Being proficient in German language can also greatly increase your chances of employment.
Upon graduation, you can extend your Residence Permit for 18 months to look for a job. During the 18-month period, you are allowed to work in any job (even unrelated to your studies) to sustain your living.
In order to apply for the Permanent Residence Permit, you will need to fulfill the following requirements:
- worked for at least 5 years in Germany
- job is approved by the Federal Employment Agency
- paid necessary taxes and contributions to the German government
- obtained advanced German proficiency
Once you have a Permanent Residence Permit, you can stay in Germany for as long as you want to, and travel in and out of the country without restrictions.
Yes, upon arrival in Germany, you will activate your blocked account and €934 will be transferred to your account each month. However, you’ll need to top up your blocked account when you convert or renew your visa.
