巴基斯坦申请人的德国学生签证申请流程

Choosing the Right German Student Visa

If you are from Pakistan and you want to study in Germany, the first thing you should do is make sure that you choose the right visa type.

Each visa has its own specific purpose of stay in Germany, so you should apply for the correct one. Otherwise, this can cause delays or even rejection.

National (D) Visa for Degree Studies

The national student visa for degree studies, also called the D visa, is the most common visa for Pakistani students who have already secured admission to a German university.

The national visa is valid only for three months because it allows you to enter Germany and gives you just enough time to convert it into a residence permit for the duration of your studies.

语言课程签证

If you want to complete an intensive German language course before enrolling in a full degree programme in Germany, you will need the language course visa.

You should know that this visa cannot be converted into a student residence permit. Instead, you will need to return to Pakistan and apply for the correct visa if you later decide to pursue degree studies.

Pathway via Studienkolleg

If your Pakistani secondary school qualifications are not equivalent to the German Abitur, you will need to attend a preparatory course called Studienkolleg. This course acts as a bridge and closes the gap between your previous education in Pakistan and the German university entry requirements.

In this case, you will need to apply for a national student visa (D visa) that covers your Studienkolleg enrollment and allows you to transition to a degree programme afterwards.

Academic Requirements for Pakistani Students

To study in Germany, all students must meet the admission criteria of German universities. Having the right academic background ensures you can apply for the correct visa without unnecessary delays.

HEC-Recognised Qualifications

Your previous education must be certified by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan to be accepted by German universities. For bachelor’s programmes, this typically means an Intermediate Certificate (FA/FSc) or A-levels that align with German entry standards. For master’s programmes, your bachelor’s degree must also be HEC-recognised.

Minimum Grades for Direct Admission

For direct entry into a German bachelor’s programme, most universities expect strong academic results, often above 60–65% in your final school exams. For master’s programmes, you may need a GPA equivalent to at least 2.5 on the German scale, depending on the university and programme.

其他学术途径

If your school-leaving certificate does not meet the direct entry requirements, you can still study in Germany by completing a Studienkolleg (preparatory year) and then passing the Feststellungsprüfung (university entrance exam).

Another possible route that skips the Studienkolleg is completing one year of study at a recognised Pakistani university before applying for a German degree programme.

Language Proficiency Standards

For your student visa application, you need to prove that you meet the language requirements of your chosen programme, either English or German. Be aware that German universities, as well as the German embassy in Pakistan, only accept official language certificates, so it’s best to prepare them in advance.

Required German Language Levels

Before we dive in, you should know that German proficiency is not absolutely necessary if you want to study in Germany. However, if you apply for a German-taught programme, you will need at least a B2 or C1 level.

If your studies do not meet the German entry standard and you need to attend a Studienkolleg, a B1 certificate is enough when applying for the visa, since you will continue studying German during this foundation course

Accepted English Language Tests

If you choose an English-taught programme, German is not required, as mentioned earlier. However, you will need to prove your English proficiency. In general, the most widely accepted options are IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, or the Cambridge English exams.

If your previous education was taught fully in English, some universities might waive these requirements, but you will need to submit a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from your Pakistani institution.

It is important to check with your chosen university before submitting your application to confirm which options are accepted.

Financial Requirements for Pakistani Students

If you are applying for a German visa from Pakistan, you will need to prove that you can cover your living expenses for at least one year in Germany.

This is usually done through a Blocked Account, and the German embassy will only accept official financial proof.

Blocked Account Minimum Amount

The most common proof of financial means is the Blocked Account (Sperrkonto). As of 2025, the required minimum is €11,904 for one year, which equals €992 per month.

This amount must be deposited in advance, and you can only withdraw the fixed monthly allowance once you are in Germany.

Pakistani students must provide the official confirmation of the Blocked Account opening when submitting their visa application.

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Required Documents for Pakistani Applicants

If you want to apply for a German student visa, you will need to provide the German embassy with a complete set of documents. If you fail to do so correctly and are missing paperwork, you might be met with delays or a visa rejection.

Valid Passport and Biometric Photographs

You should ensure that your passport is valid for at least 12 months beyond your planned stay in Germany. You will also need two recent biometric photographs that are passport-sized, with a white background, and taken within the last six months.

HEC-Attested Academic Certificates

All educational documents must be attested by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan and, in some cases, the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE). This includes your school-leaving certificates, bachelor’s degree (if applying for a master’s), transcripts, and any other supporting academic records.

动机信和简历

You should have a well-written motivation letter in which you explain why you want to study in Germany, your chosen programme, and your career goals after completing the degree. Alongside the motivation letter, a structured CV using the Europass format is also required by universities and recommended for visa applications.

Proof of Language Proficiency

You must provide valid proof of language skills, depending on your programme’s requirements. This could be a German certificate (TestDaF, DSH, Goethe, TELC) or an English certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge).

Be aware that some certificates expire after two years, so make sure that your test results are still valid at the time of application.

翻译和公证规则

If your documents for the visa application are not originally in English or German, you must use a certified translator. The German embassy in Pakistan also requires these translations to be notarised or legalised in order to prove their authenticity.

Booking and Attending the Visa Appointment

Once you gather all the documents required for the visa application, the next step is to book and attend your student visa appointment. Pakistani applicants can apply either at the German Embassy in Islamabad or the German Consulate General in Karachi, depending on their region of residence.

German Embassy in Islamabad

The German Embassy in Islamabad handles visa applications for residents of northern Pakistan. All appointments must be booked online through the Embassy’s official appointment system via digital.diplo.de. You should bring printed confirmation of your booking along with your complete application file on the scheduled date.

The Embassy is often busy, so waiting times for appointments can be several weeks or even months, especially during peak student intake periods between May and August. It is therefore recommended to plan and book as early as possible.

Consulate General in Karachi

The Consulate General of Germany in Karachi accepts applications from residents of Sindh and Balochistan. The process is different from Islamabad due to the high volume of appointments.

In the past, waiting times in Karachi were shorter, however, due to high demand, a waiting list system has now been introduced to manage appointment allocation. This means you can no longer book an appointment directly.

Instead, you must first register on the waiting list, and the Consulate will then allocate appointments strictly on a chronological basis according to the order of registrations.

Visa Fees and Payment Methods in Pakistan

Applying for a German student visa from Pakistan comes with certain costs that you must prepare for in advance. The fee is the same across all German embassies and consulates worldwide, but the payment method can vary slightly depending on where you apply.

Current Student Visa Cost

As of 2025, the German student visa fee is €75. This amount is converted into Pakistani Rupees (PKR) according to the official exchange rate used by the German Embassy in Islamabad or the Consulate General in Karachi at the time of payment.

Since rates fluctuate, the exact fee in PKR may change every few months.

Payment Process at Embassy or Consulate

The visa fee must be paid in Pakistani Rupees, in cash, at the time of your appointment. Neither the embassy in Islamabad nor the consulate in Karachi accepts debit or credit cards or online transfers.

You will receive a payment receipt, which you should keep safe as proof of payment. This receipt may be requested later in the application process.

It’s important to bring the exact amount in cash on the day of your appointment, as the consular offices typically do not provide change.

Processing Time for Pakistani Student Visa Applications

One of the most important factors when planning your studies in Germany is the processing time for your visa. Since applications from Pakistan are in high demand, you should plan well in advance to avoid unnecessary delays.

Average Duration and Seasonal Delays

On average, the processing time for a German student visa in Pakistan is 6 to 12 weeks from the date of your appointment. However, this timeline can vary depending on the volume of applications, the time of year, and whether your documents are complete.

Peak seasons, especially in the months before the summer intakes, can cause delays of several additional weeks. Missing or incorrectly prepared documents may also extend the timeline significantly.

For this reason, it is highly recommended to book your visa appointment and submit your application at least three to four months before your planned travel date.

Tracking your Application Status

After submitting your application, you can track its progress online through the digital.diplo.de Consular Services Portal or by contacting the German Embassy in Islamabad or the Consulate General in Karachi directly.

You’ll need details such as your passport number and application reference number to check the status.

Frequently Asked Questions about German Student Visas for Pakistani Students

How much money do I need to study in Germany from Pakistan?

Pakistani students must show proof of sufficient financial resources for at least one year of study. As of 2025, this means a Blocked Account of €11,904 (about €992 per month). This amount is set by German authorities to cover living expenses, and it must be available before your visa can be issued.

How much bank statement is required for a German student visa from Pakistan?

The bank statement or Blocked Account must reflect the official requirement of €11,904 for one year. A regular bank statement alone is not enough.

Where can I submit my student visa application in Pakistan?

Student visa applications can be submitted either at the German Embassy in Islamabad or the German Consulate General in Karachi, depending on your place of residence. Appointments must be booked online in advance.

What are the appointment wait times in Pakistan?

Wait times vary by city. In Islamabad, appointments are scheduled directly, but delays may occur during peak admission seasons (summer and winter intakes). In Karachi, a waiting list system is in place: you register your name online, and appointments are later allocated by the consulate in chronological order of registration.

Do I need IELTS for a German student visa from Pakistan?

Not always. IELTS (or another recognised English test) is only required if your university admission depends on it - to be more precise, if the courses are taught in English. For German-taught programmes, you will need proof of German language proficiency instead.

Can dependants accompany Pakistani students to Germany?

Yes, dependants (spouses and children) may apply for family reunion visas once the main applicant has a valid student residence permit and can demonstrate sufficient financial resources and adequate accommodation for the dependants.