For Students
A strong application is not enough if your visa and financial plan are weak. Embassies check very carefully whether you can cover your living costs in Germany, have the right visa type for your goal and have valid health insurance. Missing one detail can delay your plans by months or even lead to a rejection.
StuWoLi helps you understand which visa type fits your situation, how much money you need to show, which options you have besides a blocked account and how to put all documents together in a clear, embassy friendly way.
Visa basics
The German visa system offers several routes for people who want to study, attend Studienkolleg, do an Ausbildung or learn German. The exact type depends on your level of preparation and your admission letter.
In a StuWoLi Plan we look at your current status and target and decide together which visa type you should aim for, so your application tells one clear and consistent story.
Finances
For most student and study applicant visas you need to show that you can cover your living costs in Germany for at least one year. The exact minimum amount is set by German authorities and is adjusted from time to time, but you can think in the range of roughly one year of rent, food, insurance and personal expenses in a medium sized city.
The most common ways to prove this are:
In a blocked account you usually deposit the full yearly amount. After you open a normal current account in Germany, the bank releases a monthly portion to you. If your visa is rejected, your money is normally transferred back minus a small fee.
During a StuWoLi Plan we calculate your realistic monthly budget based on the city and your lifestyle, compare it to the official minimum and discuss which combination of blocked account, sponsor and possible part time work fits you best.
Health insurance
Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. For most students under 30 there is a public health insurance option which offers full coverage for a student rate. Private insurance may be used in some cases, especially for language course or short stays, but is often less flexible later if you switch to university.
In addition to health insurance you should plan with:
These costs can vary strongly between cities like Berlin, Munich or smaller towns. In a StuWoLi Plan we compare your target cities and show you what is realistic so that the embassy sees a serious and well prepared plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
In many countries the blocked account is the standard way to prove your finances for a student or study applicant visa. Some embassies also accept a formal sponsorship declaration from a person in Germany or proof of a full scholarship instead. The exact rules differ by country.
StuWoLi checks the current practice of the German mission responsible for you and helps you choose the safest option in your case.
German authorities publish a yearly reference amount that is used to calculate how much you must show for living costs. It is based on typical student expenses and may change over time. In practice you should plan with a sum that covers at least rent, health insurance, food and basic expenses for twelve months.
During a StuWoLi Plan we look at the current reference amount and compare it with your personal budget for the city you are targeting.
In some cases yes. If your parents or relatives live in Germany, they can sign a formal sponsorship declaration at the local foreigners office. This document is then presented at the embassy. If they live outside Germany, rules are different and many embassies still prefer a blocked account.
We help you find out whether a sponsorship declaration is possible and whether it is safer than a blocked account in your situation.
Many students open the blocked account shortly before booking their visa appointment, so that the confirmation letter is still recent when they submit their application. You should not wait until the last minute, because opening the account and transferring the money can take several days or weeks.
In a StuWoLi Plan we integrate the blocked account timing into your full timeline, together with language exams, application deadlines and visa appointment.
For many student visas you need at least a provisional confirmation of health insurance or travel health insurance that covers the period until you switch to a German public health insurance after arrival. Exact requirements differ by embassy and visa type.
StuWoLi can explain the typical path from initial coverage to long term student insurance, so you know what to show at each step.
Student visas usually allow limited part time work in Germany. This income can help you cover part of your living costs, but embassies normally do not count it as secure funding when they decide about your visa. You still need to show a solid plan through a blocked account, sponsor or scholarship.
In the StuWoLi Plan we treat part time work as a helpful bonus, not as the only pillar of your financial plan.
If you are not sure whether your visa and financial plan are strong enough, talk it through once before you book flights or pay big fees.
