National visa (type D): Application procedure and documents required

Please use the Federal Foreign Offices's Visa Navigator (click here) to check the official entry visa requirements for Germany.

IF you need an entry visa, then it is best advised to begin the process as soon as possible. To ensure a sufficient processing time, it is recommended to submit a completed application 5-6 months in advance, if possible.

The first step is to refer to the official information provided by the German Embassy/Consulate responsible for your current place of registered residence. You may use the Consulate Finder to search for the responsible German mission.

In most cases, an online application for a national visa for study purposes can be submitted conveniently using the international portal - Consular Services Portal (CSP). If an online application option is unavailable for your selected 'country', the portal will guide you on how to proceed using an offline visa application procedure.

IF you hold any previous educational qualifications from an institution based in China/India/Vietnam, note that an APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) certificate is mandatory before you can apply for a student visa for Germany. An APS certificate, once obtained, confirms that your academic documents and educational qualifications have been verified. Please follow the detailed information available on the official websites.

IMPORTANT NOTE: You will find a recommended checklist of documents and general FAQs below. The same have been presented based upon previous students' experiences. German visa authorities or local immigration offices reserve the right to request additional documents. The final decision of approving a visa or a residence permit rests solely with the German immigration authorities.

VisaFlow - A digital visa support platform:

We have partnered with VisaFlow, a widely used digital tool that supports international students applying for a German student visa from abroad.

As promised by VisaFlow, they aim to transform complex German bureaucracy into an easy digital experience and offer a personalized visa guidance depending upon the plan selected.

Our partnership with them allows you to access the platform free of charge. If you are interested in additional services, you may choose to upgrade your plan at your own expense.

Please email us at visasupport.berlin@escp.eu if you would like to receive an access code to login to the platform.

  • Recommended checklist of documents

    We strongly advise you to submit a well-prepared application to increase the likelihood of a quicker and positive outcome.

    • A valid passport with minimum two blank pages
    • Completed VIDEX visa application form (usually filled in via the Consular Services Portal)
    • Educational transcripts, degrees, and certificates
    • A recognised English language certificate (ideally C1 level, e.g. IELTS or ALTE member)
    • Proof of basic German language skills, if acquired (e.g. TELC or Goethe certificate or equivalent)
    • APS certificate (if applicable). For a master-degree, a Digital Master Test (dMAT) may also be a pre-requisite for APS applications in India
    • ESCP Letter of Admission/Certificate of Enrolment (primary version issued by ESCP's recruiting campus) and a German Letter of Admission (Zulassungsbescheid) issued by the respective Programme Office at ESCP Berlin campus
    • Statement of Purpose (2-3 pages self-prepared motivation letter)
    • CV in tabular format
    • Proof of funds for living expenses approximately 11,904 euros per year (e.g. through Fintiba or Expatrio blocked bank account OR Declaration of Commitment (Verpflichtungserklärungen) by a sponsor residing in Germany)
    • Proof of funds for outstanding tuition fees (if applicable)
    • Receipt of first-year (in Germany) tuition fee payment
    • A German public or private health insurance confirmation letter (e.g. through Barmer, TK, AOK, Mawista, etc.)
    • Travel insurance confirmation
    • Accommodation reservation (e.g. covering at least your initial stay in Berlin). Note that this may not be mandatory
    • Birth/marriage certificate or name-change documents (if applicable)
    • Recent passport size photographs
    • €75 visa fee (subject to change) per adult
    • Cover letter (a self-prepared letter addressed to the German visa authorities summarising your application and documents being submitted)
    • Reference or recommendation letters (if required)
    • In case of a minor (below 18 years of age): A notarised declaration of consent signed by both the parents authorising the minor to study and reside in Germany; additional document applicable in case of absence of one parent depending upon the circumstances; confirmation of a legally appointed guardian responsible for the minor's stay in Germany; identification proof of parents and legal guardian; etc...

  • Difference between a Visa and a Residence Permit

    A visa is an entry document that can be applied for at the German Embassy or Consulate from the current country of registered residence or from your home country. This can be done before entering Germany.

    A residence permit is an extension application of a stay that can be applied for at the local immigration offices in Germany. This can be done after entering Germany.

  • I already have a visa for another Schengen country. Do I still need a separate visa to study at ESCP Berlin campus?

    This depends upon your nationality, and the total duration of stay in Germany. If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen and staying longer than 90 days in Germany for study purposes, then you will need a student visa (National visa type D) to enter Germany. If you hold a valid visa for another Schengen country such as France, Spain, Italy, etc. then this visa allows you to study in that respective country.

  • What if I am not staying longer than 90 days in Germany? Do I still need a separate visa to study at ESCP Berlin campus?

    If you have a valid Schengen visa or residence permit, you can generally travel to and stay in other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Therefore, if your stay in Germany is 90 days or less and your visa is valid for the entire stay, you may not need a separate German visa. We recommend you use a short-stay calculator available here: Click here

  • Is the BAMF notification for EU student mobility applicable?

    ESCP study programmes are subject to country-specific immigration requirements. Where applicable, students should obtain the relevant visa or residence permit for each EU country in advance, as the intra-European mobility notification route does not apply.

  • I have validated my French student visa in Paris. Is this the same as a 'Residence Permit'?

    Please note that a validated French student visa letter "attestation de validation de la VLS-TS"  is NOT considered as equivalent to a French residence permit.

  • How do I start with the German visa application process?

    Please start early, at least 4 to 6 months in advance if possible. Begin by creating an account on the Consular Services Portal: Click here. Your application location ideally should be your current location (until the visa process has been completed). If the location/country selected is different than your 'home country', then please ensure that you have a valid visa/residence permit and a registered address there.

  • Which documents will I need from ESCP for the German visa application?

    Please refer to the recommended checklist of documents mentioned above. In general, you will require ESCP Letter of Admission/Certificate of Enrolment (primary version in ENGLISH language issued by ESCP's recruiting campus) and a German Letter of Admission (Zulassungsbescheid) issued by the respective Programme Office (find their email address here) at ESCP Berlin campus. In addition to this, you will also need proof of the tuition fees paid to ESCP issued by the Tuition fees department. German visa authorities insist that all international students clear their first year of tuition fees in Germany or show proof that equivalent funds are already available with them in addition to the required funds covering living expenses in Germany.

  • Can I work in Germany using my Schengen visa/residence permit?

    No, because to be able to engage in any type of employment in Germany, all non-EU/EEA citizens require a relevant and a valid German visa/residence permit that allows employment. Note that freelancing and self-employment activities are allowed only IF your German visa/residence permit mentions the same on the supplementary sheet (Zusatzblatt) printed next to the visa or given as a separate sheet.

  • Can I use my German visa/residence permit to stay in another country?

    This depends upon your nationality, but mainly on your duration of stay outside of Germany, and the validity of your current German visa/residence permit. In general, all non-EU/non-EEA students with a valid German residence title, can visit/travel/study/stay in another Schengen member state for temporary stays upto 90 days in any 180-days rolling period. Employment in another country using a German residence title is not permitted.

    Please maintain your own record of short stays done within the Schengen area using a short-stay calculator: Click here.

    For stays exceeding 90 days or to engage in emplyoment, you must apply for a separate visa of the relevant country.

    Note that you need a valid German residence title to return to Germany.