With high-class teaching methods, low educational costs, great career opportunities, and huge research infrastructures, Germany is a popular destination for studying abroad among international students. The visa acceptance rate in Germany is quite high than many popular countries like the USA and UK.
However, there is always a chance for refusal due to various reasons for a German student visa. A short explanation is given by the embassy stating the reasons for the rejection. This does not put an end to your dream of studying in Germany. You can re-apply for the visa and give your best to achieve your goal.
German Student Visa Rejection and Success Rate
The success rate of German student visa is very high. As of 2021, the success rate of the German Student Visa was 92%.
Anyhow, a huge success rate does not mean that any student can get visa approval. When it comes to admitting someone into their country, German authorities are very strict. Hence they filter out the best applicants who can contribute to the success of their country. The decision of visa approval or rejection is not only in the hands of the visa officer but also the immigration office. Therefore, the applicant must follow all the steps carefully to avoid rejection for a German Student Visa.
Germany Student Visa Rejection Reasons
Some of the most common reasons for a German Student Visa Rejection are mentioned below:
1. Incorrect Visa Application
It is very important to choose the right type of visa before applying for it. German Visa for international students is of three types:
- German Student Visa
- German Student Applicant Visa
- German Language Course Visa
Solution
Choosing the type of visa is the first step, therefore it is mandatory to pick the right kind. Each type has its own requirements, so make sure to collect the documents accordingly.
- Student Visa is applicable for international students admitted to German universities and about to start their full-time course at a German university.
- A student application visa is applicable if a student needs to be in Germany to apply for university admission in person.
- A language course visa is required if a student is willing to study the German language course.
2. Poor Financial Conditions
Any foreign country demands proper financial support that can cover your cost while living in their country. Hence, it is crucial to have sufficient financial resources to survive. Poor financial conditions are one of the major reasons for visa refusal.
It might be a surprise that in a country where tuition is free in public universities, the visa can be rejected on the basis of poor finances. The government of Germany needs to make sure that you can pay your living expenses comfortably so that you can focus on your studies.
Solution
- A blocked bank account is the best way to prove financial stability. The German government has made it mandatory to have at least 11,208 EUR in the blocked bank account and from this amount a student can withdraw only 934 EUR every month for living expenses.
- Another way to prove that a student can live comfortably during their stay in the country can be through a sponsor. The sponsor does not have to be a family member but anyone who is willing to sponsor your stay in Germany.
- The sponsor has to prove that they have sufficient funds and show a regular monthly income.
3. Lack of Language Skills(German or English)
The inability to prove language proficiency is another major reason why the German student visa gets canceled. Most of the programs are taught in Germany, therefore it is essential that the student must be able to comprehend and speak German easily. If the program you choose is taught in the German language, the visa interview will also take place in the same language and if you fail to communicate with the officer in German, your application will be rejected immediately.
Besides German, students also have to show their English proficiency.
Solution
- Practice as much as you can
- Pursue German language courses in institutes like Goethe Institute or enroll in language courses in Germany.
- Do not provide fake English proficiency test (IELTS or TEOFL) certificates, the embassy can easily identify fake documents.
4. Low Academic Performance
The quality of education provided in Germany is highly-regarded, therefore many top universities in Germany screen applicants very carefully. They choose individuals with good academic backgrounds and skilled enough to complete their degrees. Hence, make sure to hold a good academic record. The embassy can easily reject your application if you have poor academic performance in previous education and they feel you won’t be able to cope with the german education system.
Solution
- Till the time of your visa application, you would already have your results so if they are bad, there is hardly anything you can do to change them. However, you still have the chance to prove that you are capable by showing your competence during the interview.
- It is also important to tell the embassy the reason for low academic performance and mention that you are willing to improve your marks if you study in Germany.
- If you have work experience, a certificate or diploma, or are good in extra-curricular activities, mention them in your application and during the interview.
5. Unrelated Choice of Study
Sometimes a visa gets rejected due to irrelevant choices in studies. If the program you are applying for does not match or relate to your previous studies, the embassy can refuse to approve your visa application. For example, if a student has done their bachelor's with History majors and is now applying for Masters in Business Administration program in Germany, the embassy can question your ability to study and complete the program you are applying for.
A rejection might also happen if you are applying for another bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree when you already have one.
Solution
- Choose your program of study very carefully and wisely. It should be related to your previous studies.
- In case you change your mind and decide to pursue a different career or a new field, make sure that you are able to justify the change to the visa officer and also in your motivation letter.
- For such cases, relevant work experience in the changed path can be helpful in convincing the officer that you are capable of studying the new program.
6. Poor Interview Preparation
Performing well in the interview is most important to get a German Student Visa. The interviewer not only listens to your answers to their questions but also checks your ability to communicate and your behavior during the interview. As it is said that the first impression is the last impression, so make sure you leave a good impression on the interviewer. Poor interview preparation can directly affect the visa approval process.
Solution
- To be prepared for the interview, get as much information as possible about the country, and be confident but not overconfident.
- Practice the following type of questions so that the interviewer considers you confident and capable:
- Knowledge of Germany
- Your seriousness as a student in Germany
- Your motive to study
- Your financial condition
7. Incomplete Set of Documents
Having all the documents mentioned in the checklist is essential for getting visa approval. Each and every document has its own importance and is mandatory. Therefore make sure to check the list of required documents carefully even after you have collected all the papers. Failure in doing so and submitting an incomplete set of documents can directly lead to visa refusal.
Solution
- Create your own checklist and mark the documents that you have already collected so that you can keep track of those left.
- Keep the documents in hand very carefully in a folder and secure them so that you don’t lose any of the official documents.
- Collect all the documents as each and every document is necessary and lacking any one of them can lead to visa rejection.
8. Profile Doesn’t Fit the State’s Future Needs
Like every other country, Germany also has a particular profile for international students that they think is crucial for the development and needs of the country. There are various scholarships in Germany for international students, financial aid, and other sponsorships that the country provides so that they can find talented individuals to work in the country.
The visa acceptance or refusal is not merely in the hands of the visa officer but also the Immigration officer. So if they find that your profile is not required for the field you are applying for, your visa might be rejected.
Solution
- Make sure that you do thorough research on the skill requirements of the state that you are applying for.
- Do not take a course that is in high demand and you are not interested in it. This might lead to you getting uninterested in the subject and failing it or even getting expelled.
- Choose a course that you want to pursue and prove to the embassy that you can excel in the field and will contribute to Germany and your country.
What to do after the Rejection of the German Student Visa?
There are chances that your student visa might get rejected because of the above reasons. However, it is important to not lose hope and give yourself a second chance. You can follow the steps below and reapply for a German Student Visa.
- It is very critical that you know and understand the reason for your visa rejection. If you don’t know the reason, you won’t be able to get approval even the next time because you will be repeating the same mistake.
- Write an Appeal Letter: When you become aware of the reason for your rejection, and you think it is not justified, you can appeal within a month. The appeal letter should be objective and demonstrate why your application should be reconsidered. This appeal should be motivating and strongly justifiable.
- Reapply for your Student Visa: You should reapply for a German Student Visa if you think you can perform better the next time. This time ensure that you have all the documents, are well-prepared for the interview, and have no reasons why your visa application might be rejected.
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