Are you planning a trip to Germany, especially to volunteer or intern with us at the Excellence Center in Europe (Halle/Salle), but you need to know the German requirements for obtaining an entry visa? In this article we provide relevant information for obtaining a visa for German customs.
What kind of visa do you need to enter Germany?
Visas to enter Germany are divided into two main types. One type of visa is a Schengen visa, which is valid for less than or equal to three months (90 days). It is issued for purposes of tourism, trade, and family or other visits. Second, a lengthier entry visa is called the “National Visa“.
It is issued for stays that are more than three months in length. National Visas cover entry purposes such as work, work searches, or study. The National Visas are provided to people who plan on residing in Germany.
I am volunteering or interning in Germany at the Excellence Center – what then?
The Excellence Center will provide you with an invitation letter to intern or volunteer at our Center. This invitation letter will be used to apply for a German entry visa at your German embassy. It will be attached as part of the documents that you are required to submit for your visa application.
How do I apply for a German student visa?
You will apply for a student visa at your local German consulate or embassy. The addresses of the various German consulates and embassies throughout the world are listed on the website of the German Foreign Ministry. The website will inform you as to the documents and conditions that are necessary to apply for an entry visa. The forms can be downloaded from the German embassy websites.
Documents required to apply for a visa to Germany:
- Valid passport.
- Proof of participation in health insurance.
- Proof of the ability to finance the study in Germany.
- Proof of admission to German courses in Germany is done through an invitation letter from a German language teaching institute.
How do I apply for an Excellence Center in Europe program?
All you have to do is send an email to info@eceurope.org Type the name of your chosen program in the subject line. In the body of the email, please ask us for an application form for the program for which you wish to apply. After you complete the application and return it to us, we will write you an invitation letter.
Please be aware that we charge an application fee of 100 Euros which is non-refundable. This means that in the event you are not issued a visa to come to Germany, the 100 Euros will not be returned to you; however, if you are issued a visa, the 100 Euros will be applied towards your program fee at the Excellence Center.
