You can find a list of all necessary documents on the website of the German Embassy in Ghana .  You are required to bring the original and 2 copies for each document to the visa interview, copies do not need to be certified. Afterwards, the originals will be returned to you. Furthermore, individuals that are yet to do their national service are well advised to bring a deferral note.

The applicant should ensure that all data is coherent throughout all documents. That includes names, date of birth, place of birth etc. If need be, conflicting names can be clarified with an affidavit.

In case degree certificates are missing at the time of the interview they can be substituted with a provisional transcript of records that shows that all modules have been completed.

From 1st of October 2022 only VIDEX application forms will be accepted by the visa section of the German Embassy in Accra. This applies to all types of visa. Visa applications with other application forms cannot be accepted and will be refused.

Kindly find here further advice for the Visa application process including writing a motivational statement, completing the online application form as well as preparing for the personal interview.

There are three ways to meet the financial requirements necessary to obtain a student visa:

Scholarship:

• As a student who is on a scholarship provided by a German public institution that covers both, study expenses and living expenses (minimum 934 Euros a month; starting from 1st Janaury 2023), you meet the financial requirement. Your scholarship award letter must clearly state your scholarship benefits and the mode of disbursement.

Formal Obligation Agreement:

• A sponsor who is a legal resident of Germany may enter into a formal obligation agreement on your behalf. In doing so, the sponsor agrees to cover for any potential expenses arising from the student being in Germany.  If the sponsor in Germany has sufficient financial means they can sign the agreement. It is important that the document says that the financial situation of the sponsor that enters the agreement is stated as “nachgewiesen” (verified). For more information on this, please refer to the study visa requirements  on the German Embassy’s website.  This signed original agreement must be produced at the visa interview.

Blocked Account:

• The applicant opens a blocked account to secure upkeep in Germany and obtain a visa. The total amount that is required to be paid into this account is 11,904 Euros. That money will then be made available to the students over the period of one year in margins of 992.00 Euros a month once in Germany.  The proof of an opened blocked bank account in Germany with an amount of 11,904 Euro for the first year of your studies has to be presented during the interview. When opening the blocked account, the agencies responsible may require a proof of sponsorship for your sponsor such as a sponsorship letter, proof of the origin of the funds (e.g. bank statements, pay slips, company registration documents etc).  In general, all statements that provide insight into the finances can be added. Printouts from the internet or emails might not be accepted.  It is possible to enlist the help of one or multiple sponsors that provided the money for the blocked account. Any sponsor should be comfortably able to sponsor the prospective student (It must not be the entire savings of the sponsor).

Before you go for the visa interview it is in your best interest to visit the DAAD Ghana office for a prior discussion. This can be helpful.

The appointment has to be made via the embassy’s online appointment tool. The processing time for the visa can be as long as eight weeks so appointments should be made well in advance. The current visa fee in Euros can be found on the embassy’s website. The fee can be paid cash in Ghana Cedis at the current exchange rate.

All documents indicated by the embassy and their respective copies must be taken to the interview.

During the interview the applicant has to demonstrate in-depth knowledge about the study course that is to be pursued. The applicant should also be familiar with the faculty and the university as well as individual modules of the study course. It is advisable to be able to make a direct connection from the previous studies to the aspired study course and outline a personal trajectory after the latter is completed. Furthermore, the applicant must demonstrate that he/she is acquainted with the sponsor if one is present.

Please note that it is now not mandatory for the sponsor to be at the interview. However, it is still adviseable that the sponsor has an idea about the plans of the applicant and should be able to explain his/her personal relationship to the applicant. Family relations must be described exactly. Only siblings of the applicant’s parents or the spouses of the former should be introduced as uncles or aunts.

If told to pick up the visa, you are additionally asked to provide proof of an adequate travel health insurance valid for the duration of your entry visa (usually up to 6 months) as well your travel itinerary.

In case the visa application is denied, the applicant can appeal within four weeks from the date indicated in the letter of denial. For this purpose an appeal letter (“Remonstration”) must be written in German.

The note of denial will include the reasons for the decision. In the appeal, the reasons have to be, if possible, refuted and any issues must be clarified. In doing so, the applicant might be able to reach a second consideration of the application.

Students / Scholarship Holders / Researchers (Waiting list)

Due to the high number of appointment requests, students, scholarship holders and researchers would have to register on the waiting list for appointments.

After successful registration, you will receive a confirmation email regarding your booking. Please ensure that you have received this confirmation email. If necessary, also check your spam / junk folder.

The notification with the exact dates of the appointment is currently sent out about 4 weeks in advance of the appointment. Make absolutely sure that your e-mail address given at registration is valid until the date of the appointment. If you change your e-mail address after registration, you will unfortunately have to cancel your existing registration and re-register.

Can I already apply for my student visa when I am still waiting for my admission letter?

Yes, it is possible to book an appointment for the interview without the admission letter. However it is necessary to bring the original confirmation of admission to the visa interview.

What is the blocked account about?

The applicant opens a blocked account to secure upkeep in Germany and obtain a visa. The total amount that is required to be paid into this account is 11,904 Euros. That money will then be made available to the students over the period of one year in margins of 992.00 Euros a month once in Germany.

What are some recommended German blocked account providers?

Here are some of the most popular blocked account providers in Germany:

Fintiba
Expatrio
Coracle

Read further here

Is there an alternative for a blocked account?

No, only a blocked bank account can be used to provide proof of sufficient financial means. The opening of a blocked bank account, however, is not necessary if the applicant receives a scholarship from a German or European institution (such as DAAD or Erasmus+) or can provide an official formal obligation from a German Aliens Authority.

What is the appropriate time to create the blocked account?

The Embassy demands you to open the block account after you have gained admission to a university in Germany and have started the visa application process. The proof of the opened blocked bank account in Germany with an amount of 11.208 Euro for the first year of your studies  should be presented during the interview along with a sponsorship letter and proof of the origin of the funds (e.g. bank statements, pay slips, company registration documents).

Do I need to open the blocked account and pay the required amount before attending the visa interview?

Yes.

What if my sponsor is currently not in Ghana/ if my sponsor is staying in a foreign country, other than Ghana or Germany?

This is generally possible. If you plan to be sponsored by a person that does not reside in Ghana or Germany, it is advisable if the person possesses economic ties to Germany. Also, the proof of residence in the respective country of the aspiring sponsor should be brought to the visa interview along with all other required documents from the sponsor.

What does the sponsor have to do if he or she is based in Germany?

A sponsor who is a legal resident of Germany may enter into a formal obligation agreement on your behalf. In doing so, the sponsor agrees to cover for any potential expenses arising from the student being in Germany. If the sponsor in Germany has sufficient financial means they can sign the agreement. It is important that the document says that the financial situation of the sponsor that enters the agreement is stated as “nachgewiesen” (verified). This signed original agreement must be produced at the visa interview.

Do all sponsors have to be present at the visa interview?

In case of multiple sponsors, the main sponsor should accompany the applicant.

Does a sponsor need to be a blood relative?

A sponsor does not have to be a blood relative. Any person that has a reasonable interest in supporting the education of the applicant can do so e.g. friend, employer etc.

Is it possible that my sponsor guarantee for my financial support instead of creating a blocked account?

No, only a blocked bank account can be used to provide proof of sufficient financial means. The opening of a blocked bank account, however, is not necessary if the applicant receives a scholarship from a German or European institution (such as DAAD or Erasmus+) or can provide an official formal obligation from a German Aliens Authority.

What if my sponsor cannot provide all the 11,904 euros at once, but he shows proof that the money can be provided in 2 or 3 installments – is that possible?

The blocked bank account has to be opened with the necessary amount for a full year, if the applicant stays in Germany for one year or more.

What do I need if I want to self-finance my studies without a sponsor?

Applicant will have to provide proof of the availability of sufficient financial means, such as bank statements. If the study program lasts 3 or more semesters, self-financing students also need to be able to provide proof of sufficient finances for the coming year(s).

What happens if I have missed the deadline for creating the blocked account?

The applicant will be refused.