₦airaland Forum

VISA Alert!

Finally my VISA came in today.
AM came on 28th August.
I submitted insurance and passport same day.

Heading to TH Koln - Gummersbach. Anyone going to Koln here?

The journey was not easy but being with this Nairaland family made everything good. You all have been very helpful and I can only pray for success to everyone on any waiting list.

Wishing everyone waiting for AD, AL, AM and VISA success.

Cheers!

For those traveling this winter session, I found this somewhere and I know it would be useful:

1- Do not pay any advance for apartment: if someone has offered you an apartment and asked you to make an up front payment and send him/her money from India, say NO! Do not pay any advance for the house. Moreover as far as I know no house master ask you to pay the deposit money before you occupy the room. You can sign the contract from Nigeria but do not make any payments. Also read the contracts very carefully.
2- Have good amount of cash in hand while coming: you'll need to pay for deposit of room, visa fees, university fees up front. It may take time for your blocked account to be unblocked. So calculate and carry enough cash or have a cash card along with you.

3- Get proper clothes: know that climate in Germany in peak winters is 1-5 degrees, if you haven't previously lived in cold countries this will be really harsh weather. I've seen many new comers under estimate the cold and then suffer.

4- Carry your passport everywhere till you get your residence permit: this is important given the refugee crisis going on may be you'll be stopped and asked randomly any time. The best bet is not to go to any other country till you get your residence permit. I have heard rare cases of police taking students to station for lack of documents (nothing to worry, there won't be any charge against you and they will drop you to the train/bus stop and see you off till you leave their country)

5- Deutsch is important but not mandatory: unless you have your course in German, you'll do alright not knowing German. Life might be a little difficult but ones you take up the course at university you'll slowly start learning the language. Meanwhile at times German can be a necessary and mandatory while you apply for some jobs.

6- Choose your courses carefully: take up the subjects you are confident about and do not overwhelm yourself with too many subjects.
Expect Masters to take more than two years: If you are coming here for masters then keep in mind it's really challenging. Unless you are extremely smart, it'll take more than two years to complete your masters. There is nothing to be discouraged about. Most people take on an average 2.5 years to complete their Masters. Moreover university do not have tuition fees and cost of living as a student is really really low in Germany.

7- Find a part time job (HiWi): once you settle down and are two or three months through in the semester, start looking for part time jobs, one, it'll help you pay for your expenses. Two, it'll only add more value to your CV.

All these rejections news is getting scary and I would like to say that All will end well.
From some findings I have seen, it seems we now need to included major supporting documents.
Ensure all your documents are air tight, everything requested is everything given and please TRY AND FUND BEFORE INTERVIEW.
I know its not possible for everyone to fund before interview, but try your best to.
By keeping money in Germany before your files get to them already puts you as an investor in their economy.
Also, a friend of mine over there informed me that a lot of policies are changing in Germany and once they fill the quota of people they need in each city, rejections are the next thing.
Last week I was at the embassy to submit my docs and I saw a lot of students that look so confused. Someone even only came with 1 application from and photocopied it. Imagine not being able to understand the checklist alone.
For those with rejections, try and appeal, send all necessary documents back to the embassy and include your funding source.
Wishing everyone success.
Cheers!

Glauben:
Hello guys, I need help.

Had my interview last week Thursday, I got a rejection together with my docs yesterday. The reason for the refusal is:

"There are doubts concerning the indicated purpose of your trip as well as the ability to study."

I intend to appeal but I need help especially from people who have experienced this & successfully appealed afterwards.

Contributions are highly welcome.

Sorry about this development.
You need to state some facts:
1- Did you submit blocked account?
2- When is your enrollment deadline?
3- Which school and city?
4- What course is it and does it relate to your bsc course?

All other details are necessary.

Cheers!

ShinaLe:
House please can I send 3 months travel insurance to the embassy to get my Visum?

Depends on what they asked you in the AM.

For some, its 3 months, some 6 months.

Jonemenike2000:
Big Congratulations to you IPOD007!!!

Also, kindly let me know how you reached (e-mail address or something) the local office in Germany

Thank you.

Gummersbach Alien office mail: mail@obk.de

AM ALERT!

Admission notification: May 8th
Applied for Interview date: Category A - May 31st
Interview date: July 30th
Funded before Interview (8640)
Wrote to the local office in Germany on 20th August asking about the status, they replied on 26th that everything is done and in Lagos. I wrote to German embassy in Lagos on 26th, no reply till date.
Approval mail: August 28th
I have not been asked to balance my BA.
School: TH Koln
Course: Automation and IT (Msc)
City: Gummersbach
Wishing everyone on the waiting list good luck too. Thanks all.

yusuftosin:
AM Alert!

Alhamdulillah!!

AD: 01.08.2019
AM: 27.08.2019

Thanks y'all
Alhamdulillah
DE soon.

Congratulations!

Saysay01:
***AM Alert***

AL 5th of June
AD 4th of July
interview 07th of August
AM 26th of August

Congratulations. Just 2 weeks. Nice!

dennison4luv:
please reply my pm,, i want some info concerning MAWISTA and CARE CONCEPT insurance, which is more cheaper and when should i tell them i will be in Germany and start the payment

DONE

olamitodotun14:
I got my AM today my people.

Interview Date: 29.07.2019
Funded on Interview day thereafter sent my BA confirmation to embassy second day after interview.
Approval Mail: 22.08.2019.

Intended School: University Of Kassel.
Course: Masters of Global Political Economy and Development.

Glory to God! Thank you all for the invaluable information and selfless acts rendered on this forum. Success and best wishes to us all.

Congrats

specialmati:
student.evverything was about. student visa fee student

Then, mail the embassy that there is a mix up in your application.

specialmati:
i applied for student visa not family reunifaction.i went with school documents na

The picture you uploaded talks about FAMILY REUNIFICATION.

Maybe there is a mix up somewhere.

Which application form did you fill?

[quote author=specialmati post=81440826][/quote]1- You applied for a family reunification visa.
2- They said your means of livelihood is not confirmed. (Maybe you did not show the funds you needed to or the person whom you are tied to over there did not prove the necessary funds)

You can correct these and reapply.

Good luck!
Cheers!

Tamax:
Thanks for your quick and well detailed response. In fact I will pm you to get that email of the office that will give me the exemption letter.

The answer to your 4th response is that, does CARE Concept you subscribed to have travel insurance scheme attached to their Health insurance scheme?

Have you received your AM? If yes, does it stated that you should send travel insurance certificate along among documents to be send to get ur visa?

Reason why I want to know this and possible way forward on this before I subscribe to any insurance scheme.

Thanks.

I havent received AM, reason I threw the last question to people who have done it before. However, its logical.
Care concept insurance does not include travel insurance.

Only when the AM comes before we know the true state of all these.
Care concept was recommended by folks over there and there registration was easy.
Cheers!

Tamax:
Wow, thanks for your response. You did a great justification to my question. I'm grateful. God bless you.

From your response, it means I should just run away from public health insurance now because I'm already at my 30.

So what steps should I take now to get private health insurance certificate for my enrollment and for further coverage when I finally land in DE? I read i have to get exemption letter from any recognised German public health insurance organization together with the private health insurance certificate for them to confirm that i have valid health insurance cover because they don't recognized private health insurance scheme to be valid in Germany. Is this exemption letter possible when I'm not 30 yet? Shed more light on this as I have to complete my enrollment ASAP.

Is there any private health insurance scheme that cover travel insurance too just like that of public health insurance own? N.B Just asking this but I believe this travel insurance is not that hard to sort out separately if not covered in the health insurance scheme when requested for after AM land right?

Which of the affordable, well recognised and valid private health insurance scheme should I go for now?

Danke Herr.

1- Since you are already 30, you are no eligible for the public health insurance. You should do the private health insurance. I used CARE CONCEPT. Just google it, choose a subscription and apply. They sill send you your health insurance certificate and your payment will start when you indicate on the form that it should start. (Usually when you get to Germany)

2- After you get the health insurance certificate, you will then write to the German authorities for the "Public health insurance exemption certificate". This certificate shows that you are above 30 and you exempted from the public insurance scheme. You only need to send you private health insurance cert, your passport and admission letter to get this exemption letter. You can PM me to get the email of the office that will give you the exemption letter.

3- You can then tick the "I have German health insurance" on the VISA application form, because you really do have the German health insurance certificate. I clicked it on my own form.

4- What I do not know is we would still need travel insurance since we already have the German health insurance even before leaving here. But anyone who has gone through this same process can help out.

Cheers!

Ayooluwa45:
Good evening guyz..pls I want to ask how to pay health insurance here in Nigeria because it's part of d documents I nid to send to my skul for enrollment..

Hello Ayo,

I don't think you need to make any payment for your health insurance before you get to Germany.
If you are above 30, register with Care Concept and you will get your certificate and then you will contact the German authorities for your exemption certificate too. Then you can send those to your school.
However, if you are below 30, I think you people who have done theirs can assist with what to do.
Cheers!

The German flag is a horizontal tricolor of black, red, and gold. It was designed and first hoisted in 1919.
Ideally, the three colors of black, red, and gold represent a united and democratic Germany before it was divided into East Germany and West Germany.

Just incase you are asked during your visa interview because the VO asked me.

Cheers!

gbens2000:
Fam, good morning. I got an admission to postsdam which d enrollment date is August-15 to October-15. I v applied for ad since June ending yet nothing, I want to write to d school for extension of date but must I wait for enrollment date and enroll to the school first before messaging them for extension date? Because it looks like my enrollment can be done online.

Hello,
You can start your enrollment ASAP, but do not pay any fees yet. Write to the school to extend your resumption time for you, then use this date to book a new interview date. Once you get interview date, you can pay whatever fees you are required to pay.
It seems if your enrollment date goes to November you will get an interview date as we have been seeing recently.
Cheers!

Larrydogged07:
Hi, please if you know you aren't going, kindly decline the AL. There are so many Nigerian on the queue waiting for AL for that course. Who knows, they might give your slot to another Nigerian. Everybody wins!

Done that already, i do that for all other ALs i do not need.

Cheers!

Chriswazo:
This course is cool

Yes, but I got a preferred course at TH Koln.

Engrphilips:
Has any one heard from Brandenburg university of technology Cottbus. Is almost 6 weeks now. Who get latest information from them.

Yes, I got an admission letter from them on friday 26th July for Power Engineering (Msc).
Not going there though.

Good day all, just had my interview this morning 30th July, 2019. I applied to category A (Masters) on May 27 and got a date on May 31st. I pray for people still waiting for dates, you will get yours soon.

I got to the embassy around 5:45am and the policemen told us to go wait somewhere else until 6:30. I went back to chill in the car and by 6:15am, I strolled out and saw that there was a queue already, so I picked my documents and joined the queue.
Note: Please, try to get all your documents sorted, photocopies and EVERYTHING you need before that day. Many people will confuse you on that day except you are organized, Infact, I was hearing people saying that we have to do Passport Data page in colored. I just nodded my head and told them I already have it. All copies are Black and White.

Paulinus came out around 6:30am and started shouting at the security man attending to people. They aligned later and the arrangement continued. Our Visa appointment letter was stamped and we joined the queue. Schengen and Business class applicants were attended to first and then students.
He called 3 students first and later sent one of them to the back of the line. He made that guy sweat. Just arrange your documents well before you get to him so that when he is calling it, you can easily pick it and arrange. It got to my turn and I arrange my documents. I used my old driver’s license as my Old ID card. I saw down and waited to be called.

INTERVIEW:
I was called to counter 2 where the beautiful fair lady in dreads is. We greeted and the interview started.
VO: What did you apply for and what category?
ME: Student visa category A.
VO: Masters?
ME: Yes
VO: What was your undergraduate degree and which school?
ME: Electronics and Electrical, LAUTECH.
VO: CGPA?
ME:3.83
VO: What course are going to study and which school?
ME: Automation and IT at TH Koln.
// She types the school//
VO: What campus and where is it?
ME: Gummersbach. 50km east of Koln
VO: What is there Ma in front of the course
ME: To indicate Masters.
VO: Are you married?
ME: yes
VO: What will happen to your family?
ME: My wife is presently working and I would come back to Nigeria to work and be with them when I am done.
VO: //Smiles// Are you sure you are telling me the truth or just to make me happy?
ME: The truth madam.
VO: Give me your visa fee
ME: Handed it over to her.
//She counts with the machine, printed some documents for me to sign and gave me my receipt//
VO: What do you do and why this course?
ME: I am an Engineer and presently working as an Automation Engineer. This course would give me an international education that would help to boost my career.
//Then a technician came in to fix her microphone. We than started using the MIC//
VO: When is your enrollment deadline?
ME: September 16th.
VO: I hope we can meet up because we need minimum of 6 weeks.
ME: I have already started my enrollment online.
VO: You have already funded your blocked account. What bank and how much.
ME: Coracle. 8640 Euros.
VO: Tell me what you know about Germany.
ME: I mentioned the president, Chancellor. The 9 countries bordering Germany. Economy.
VO: Why Germany and not US or UK?
ME: Germany is 3rd destination for international students. Germany is world leader in Science and Technology. Germany’s no tuition policy. USA and UK are expensive.
VO: Have you been to Germany before?
ME: Yes. 5 times and the last time was march this year.
VO: Really? So you have gotten a visa here before?
ME: No. I have been using Schengen Visa gotten through VFS.
VO: What is VFS? This is my first time of hearing that.
ME: I was shocked she asked this. So I told her about VFS.
VO: After studies, what’s the next step?
ME: I plan to find a job for a short while to practice what I have been taught and then come back to Nigeria to get a good job.
VO: OK, meaning you plan to stay back a little, because I need to know.
ME: Yes.
//She took my passport and was that I have 2 years active visa for Schengen.//
VO: Do you have the photocopy of the visa?
ME: Yes.
VO: Spell your email for me and I hope its active.
ME: Spells it. Its very active madam.
VO: Check your mail regularly, Nigerians don’t check their mails.
ME: I check mine regularly.
VO: You can go.
ME: Thank you.

//After I got out of the gate, I remembered I didn’t put my Schengen photocopy in the documents I submitted. But I have my training certificates gotten from those visits there//

The interview is not really hectic, basically what we read here every time, but you have to be composed else, you will forget a lot of things you have read.

I pray for grace and favor for everyone here.
Cheers!

Eugochukwu439:
Good morning house, please i need help
University of south westphalia said the sent me admission letter via regular mail since June 12..up till now i have not recieved the admission post, please which one i regular post and where can i locate their office

3 other people I know including myself are still waiting for the admission letter. You can print the soft copy sent and use for your interview.

Kenechill:
Yes TH koln takes 3.0 - 1.0

Are you heading to TH Koln?
I am.

[img][/img]

An Indian was made to sign that he would have to prove the nee funds are available in his account from January 2020.
Infact, he was asked to transfer the remaining amount before moving to Germany.
The increase in BA is very real.

Anyone here going to TH Koln?

ejighikepat:
Thank you for applying to the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and IT programme at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology. We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected to participate in the next step of our selection process: the admission test.
In addition to a successfully completed bachelor’s degree, the admission test is an integral part of our selection criteria, ensuring that the quality of our programme remains at the highest of standards.

This year the digital admission test can be taken in Deggendorf on July 26 and July 29. You can register for the exam in Deggendorf by filling out the attached form and sending it to master-eeit-exam@th-deg.de.
If you are unable to attend the test in Deggendorf, an online test is available at your convenience. However, this test will be proctored by an external service provider and as such will incur a fee of 26 USD, due at the time scheduling. Payment has to be made with an internationally accepted credit card.


Please kindly indicate for those who received this mail and wish to write their online TEST

I got it, but NOT writing.

I appreciate everyone that has corrected me on the "Foreign currency withdrawal"

Its been an eye opener for me. I wish I knew earlier though.

Thanks

Metronimos:
Gurus and 'bankers' in the house, please is this reasonable, advisable and possible?

As Euroes seem to be on the rise at the moment, and tend to be even more expensive around August (from what I've gathered so far), and Dollar on the other hand is steady ATM, Is it possible to fund one's dorm account in dollars and have the bank transfer (or however it is possible) to Fintiba in Euros?

Thank you!

Yes, this is very possible. You can always fund your dollar account and tell the bank to transfer the equivalent Euro amount, BUT believe me its not a wise thing to do.

Banks will first convert Dollar to Euro (They will cheat you), then they will transfer (Take charges.)

So, the best option is still to buy Euro and send.

Cheers!