Germany is known for offering excellent education at a lower cost compared to other European countries, United States of America, Canada and Australia. Public universities in Germany do not charge tuition fees, making it an attractive destination for international students.
There are three ways to study in Germany, including scholarships, blocked accounts, and the Declaration of Commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung in German). The Declaration of Commitment is a form of attestation that serves as proof of sustenance funds that a prospective student can use to apply for a German study visa at any German embassy.
The Declaration of Commitment, also known as a sponsorship letter, is issued to a German resident by the Alien’s Authority for the purpose of sponsoring a prospective student for the duration of his or her studies in Germany. The German resident must attest that they have the financial capacity to take care of the prospective student for the duration of his Bachelor’s or Master’s program in Germany. The German resident must also meet specific criteria before the Declaration of Commitment is issued to him by the foreign office.
How can a prospective student get Verpflichtungserklärung?
A prospective Nigerian student who wants to study in Germany with a sponsorship letter must have a relative who is legally residing in Germany, usually a brother, sister, uncle, or aunt. The relative will go to the foreign office (Ausländerbehörde) in his or her city and request the sponsorship letter. They must also bring documents indicating that they have the financial capacity to take care of a student’s accommodation and living expenses for the duration of the study.
Criteria for issuance of Verpflichtungserklärung
The foreign office has a set of criteria for determining eligibility before issuing the Declaration of Commitment to a German resident. The foreign office will request documents such as proof of income, resident permit, and accommodation, among others. The Ausländerbehörde will look at the German resident’s documents to check if he has the adequate income and savings to cater for a student’s expenses for the duration of the study. They will also check if the applicant is a legal resident and has a registered address in Germany.
The Declaration of Commitment is issued to the German resident after the foreign office is duly satisfied that he has the requirement and capability to sponsor a student’s education in Germany. The sponsor will then send the document to the prospective student to apply for a visa at the German embassy in Nigeria or any other country with German embassy.
It is advisable that prospective students who want to study in Germany through sponsorship letters should try to get admission first before requesting such a document. They should proceed and ask their relative to obtain the Declaration of Commitment from the foreign office after they have secured admission to a German university. Many students have come to Germany through a sponsorship letter by an uncle, aunt, or elder brother. However, a prospective student who intends to ask their relative for a sponsorship letter must be willing to work hard to cater for their expenses in Germany.
