WARNING: New Regulation For The Blocked Account In Germany (And Here Is How It Influences You)

2022 UPDATE: The blocked account sum changed once again. See a more up-to-date information and article here: URGENT: This Is What Blocked Account In Germany Will Amount To From 2022!

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2020 UPDATE: A lot can change in a year! The German Blocked Account monthly limit will be increased from 853 Euros to 861 Euros. This is due to the increase in BAfög grant. This video is to give tips to deal with the situation especially for visa application.

• Read more about the Blocked Account here.

• Read more from the source here.

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2019 UPDATE: WARNING! GERMAN VISA! As of 1st of September 2019, you need to apply for a visa with the extended sum.⁠ Make sure to check 💯if it impacts you.

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New Blocked Account Regulation

As of 1st of September 2019, the German government has announced, that all foreign students considering moving to Germany for studies must have in mind an increased blocked account Balance. 10,236 Euro must be deposited to a blocked account in order to get the student visa.

Drawback: Initial financing required is extended (to keep in mind that 1st-year expenses are much higher than the next years, because of the university deposit, tuition fees as well as the accommodation deposit payments).

Benefit: Monthly withdrawal capacity increases, which helps students to support their living expenses from one month to another.

New Yearly Budget	10,236 Euro
New Monthly Withdrawal	861 Euro

Old Yearly Budget	8,640 Euro
Old Monthly Withdrawal	720 Euro

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Students who applied for visa before 01.09.2019 or those who are already in Germany

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The change is only applicable to later applications, however, to be on a safe side, since German embassies across the globe have already started requesting the updated amount, be cautious.

Solution: either add extra sum on your blocked account and request a confirmation; or put more money on your account for visa extension once you have arrived in Germany (prior to visa extension).

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Students who applied for visa after 01.09.2019

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Attention! Do not disregard this news putting yourself at risk!

Students with the old blocked sum may have:

1. Visa delay due to a request to resubmit the account confirmation

2. Visa denial

All these visa applications must have an increased blocked account balance confirmation.

Solution: transfer the difference between the new and the old blocked account sum (10236 – 8640 = 1596 Euro) to your account and request an additional confirmation from a selected bank. Make sure to take a confirmation email or document with you to the appointment.

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Blocked Account Basics

A blocked account (Sperrkonto) is a unique type of a bank account designed for international students, who are required to provide proof of financial stability when applying for the visa. The German government wants to see a certain amount of money on your account to make sure you have sufficient means to live in Germany in circumstances you cannot influence. As an example, your sponsor (unless you pay for studies yourself) is no longer able to pay for your studies, living expenses, and accommodation.

German embassy can accept other proof of financial support, however, there is no guarantee it will be accepted for the visa procedure. It is highly recommended that you go for the blocked account as well. The more documents proving financial solvency you can present, the higher your chances of risk-free visa attainment become.

Things to keep in mind:

• It is highly recommended starting the blocked account procedure at least 2 weeks (1 month) prior to your visa appointment date. The blocked account doesn’t require you to have an unconditional (final) offer letter and the opening/money transferring procedure can be done with a conditional (provisional) offer letter.

• The blocked account may only be opened with a ‘Zweck’ (a reason). In your case, the reason is ‘Study Purposes’. This account can only be opened once you have been accepted to one of the German educational establishments.

• You do not lose this sum and it is safely kept with the bank until your arrival. You will be granted access to withdraw a monthly allowance after the registration at the local residence authority in Germany.

• The blocked account may only be closed if the beneficiary can no longer fulfill the reason for the blocked account opening (studies), in this case, it means a denial after conditional offer or denial in the visa. The blocked account may only be closed with the written confirmation from the authorities (University or the German embassy respectively).

• Important: every time you apply for visa extension in Germany, the Immigration Office has a right to demand a confirmation you have a full amount securely saved on your account. It means, that you need to maintain this balance at any point of time and the funds must always be available. You do not have to withdraw monthly sums, but you have a right to do so.

• Should you wish to extend your monthly withdrawal limit, it is possible, under certain circumstances (up to 1200 Euro per month). You need to consult your bank and ask for the permission with the confirmation that you are obliged to withdraw more than the limit (i.e. rent). The bank will decide if you would be granted a permission.

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Still unsure which blocked account option to choose? Choose Coracle! (The best option for international students in 2020-2024)

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Still having a lot of questions or doubts about the topic? Click on the button below to learn more about:

• Blocked Account Exceptions

• Blocked Account Options

• Blocked Account Documents & Deadlines

• Blocked Account Procedure

Study Abroad - Useful Tips

How to study abroad? International Students guide to finding Accommodation? Can I study without a Blocked Account? Answers to these and many other questions you will find here.

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Related Articles:

1. Study In Germany Without Blocked Account

2. The Ultimate Guide To Finding Accommodation In Germany For International Students

3. How To Study In Germany: 6 Short Steps From Idea To Admission

4. Why Study In Germany?

Increasing Your Employability In Germany In The Times Of The COVID19

At the end of last year, the German labour market was doing very well - despite the weakening economy. According to the Federal Employment Agency, the unemployment rate in 2019 was only 5.0% on average and the shortage of skilled workers was a dominant issue in the economy.

Especially members of the so-called shortage professions could virtually choose their employer without putting too much effort into their own job application. The development of wages and salaries was correspondingly positive. As a result, companies had to spend much more time on recruiting and started to actively approach candidates on social networks. And yet positions often remained vacant for months. In other words, the prerequisites for international professionals to look for work in Germany were ideal.

What happened next, was something that hardly anyone saw coming and that radically changed the situation: The coronavirus began spreading and eventually reached Germany, too.

The impact of COVID-19 on the German labor market

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global economy is on the way to what may be the worst recession since the Second World War. As an export-driven nation, Germany is of course also affected by a decline in international demand, trade, and travel restrictions. Core industries such as the automotive sector are suffering from uncertain and sometimes interrupted supply chains and plummeting sales. The service sector is in crisis mode due to the corona lockdown, too.

Depending on the scenario, the OECD consequently assumes that unemployment in Germany will remain above the 2019 level beyond 2021 (but still below the level of many other countries).

Fortunately, the German government has reacted quickly and resolutely and imposed a series of measures to contain the economic and social impact. These include emergency aid for companies and the self-employed, bridging loans and above all an expansion and additional promotion of short-time work. Compared to other countries, Germany has therefore managed to get through this crisis relatively well so far, and its strong welfare state is paying off.

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How the corona crisis affected the recruiting activities of German companies

Of course, the restrictions imposed by the corona virus also had some significant effects on recruiting in Germany. There was understandably a great deal of uncertainty among both companies and applicants. Changing jobs during the crisis? Apparently not an option for many, as the number of applications received by many companies dropped significantly. At the same time, however, many companies also stepped on the brakes in terms of recruiting. In many industries, far fewer job advertisements were published, and more personnel were cut than recruited.

The good news: the first shock seems to have passed

By now, however, it seems that we have overcome the first shock in recruiting. There are more applications again and the number of advertised positions is increasing, too. Digitization is gaining ground and most specialists are sought in the IT sector. This is the result of the latest employer surveys by the Institute for Competitive Recruiting, ICR. People are primarily sought in IT functions (54 percent), in sales (39 percent) and management (36 percent). Least of all in finance (24 percent) and services (19 percent).

At the end of March, the quick survey "Recruiting in Times of Corona" among about 10,000 companies showed that there were 17 percent fewer applicants at the beginning of the crisis, while the current PulsCheck at the end of April showed only 4 percent. Another positive aspect is that more and more companies are now using digital tools for their application processes.

5 steps to increase your employability in Germany right now

Even if large parts of the economy are still in crisis mode, or are only now slowly starting to operate again, now is exactly the right time to prepare for the next upswing by increasing your employability! The following 5 steps will hopefully help you to find your dream job in Germany!

1. Revise and optimize your application documents

I personally expect increased competition for attractive jobs in many areas. Therefore, it is now even more important to thoroughly review and revise your application documents.

Unfortunately, many international professionals only use a standard CV according to international standards for their application. These are then sent hundreds of times to all kinds of companies hoping that one or the other will respond. Unfortunately, this approach is not the way to go in Germany. If you want to find a good job in Germany, individuality is the key!

How German recruiter actually evaluates applications

Let me first give you a few notes on how German recruiters actually evaluate job applications.

It is said that on average, recruiters spend less than 1 minute for the first review of an application (some sources even state numbers just as low as 6 seconds!). I cannot judge whether theses number are accurate as a rule – the approach eventually differs from individual to individual. Nevertheless, I can also tell you from personal experience that the time is short!

For you, this means that your application must be convincing at first glance. Recruiters will first check whether all formal criteria have been met (address and contact person, spelling, completeness of documents, must-have qualifications). Furthermore, the CV is searched for specific keywords relevant to the job (job titles, degrees, soft/hard skills). 

Finally, the overall impression of the documents determines whether HR will invest more time in your application. Clear, complete and visually appealing documents are definitely a big plus!

How an application in Germany should look like

In general, a job application in Germany is made up by 3 core elements:

• CV

• Motivation Letter

• Attachments (e.g. reference letters, diplomas, certificates, ...)

I highly recommend including all of them! For some recruiters, missing documents are already a reason to reject your application.

Further optional attachments are:

1. Cover sheet

2. Application photo (either on your CV or on the cover sheet)

3. Copy of your working permit (if required)

4. Copy of your driving license (if required)

5. Copy of a criminal record certificate (if required)

How to structure your German CV

A good CV is essential in Germany as recruiters usually check it first when reviewing an application. In your CV, you can present your past experiences in a structured and clear way. Depending on the extent of your professional experience, I recommend using one to a maximum of three pages. 

Please note: The CV should only give an overview so do not overload it with information!

So what should you include in your German CV?

Personal data: 
Your CV needs to include your name, address, phone number and email address. You can optionally also include your date and place of birth, civil status, citizenship and information on your working permit or visa if applicable.

Professional experiences:
This is of course the key part of your German CV. In this part, you list all of your previous professional experiences starting with the latest one. Apart from the company name, your job title and the time period, don’t forget to give a brief overview of your tasks, responsibilities and achievements.

Education:
Recruiters are of course also interested in your educational background. In this section, you provide information on any degrees (university/high school/apprenticeships) you already obtained or which you are currently pursuing. 

Further qualifications:
Don’t forget to also mention your language skills (including your mother tongue!), IT skills or professional trainings you participated in.

Hobbies/interests/social commitment:
In order to add a more personal note to your CV, you can include information on your hobbies, interests or social commitment. 

An increasing amount of people also include a personal statement in their German CV. This is not mandatory but gives you another chance to add a personal note. However, in my point of view a personal statement can never replace a good application letter!

An individual application letter is key to win the job

Contrary to your CV, where you mainly focus on showing your professional qualifications, the aim of the application letter is to highlight your passion, motivation and personality. The goal is to convince the HR manager that you are the perfect candidate for the position. 

Do not simply repeat what is already written in your CV! Instead, select suitable experiences and relate them to the requirements mentioned in the job description. Try to avoid standard phrases or online templates and show that you took the time to inform yourself about the company and its requirements.

As already mentioned, recruiters hardly have time to waste. So try to be as precise as possible – the application letter should not be longer than one page. Pay attention to readability when selecting the font size and line spacing. I also recommend aligning the design with your CV in order to give a uniform impression!

If you would like to have a professional recruiter assess your application documents or need help writing a convincing application, just send me a short message!

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2. Expand your skillset through online courses

It is quite likely that application processes in many companies are currently halted or at least are taking longer. You should use this additional time to work on your skills set and thus increase your attractiveness for potential employers. You were planning to learn about machine learning, AI and Python for a long time? Or to analyze the latest trends in online marketing to further increase the performance of your campaigns in the future? Now is the time to do so!

There are plenty of good online platforms you can use. Check out Udemy, Coursera or LinkedIn Learning for example! You will find online courses on countless topics and for different levels there.

3. Revise and optimize your profiles on LinkedIn and Xing

Did you know that more and more companies are actively searching for suitable candidates themselves? Recruiters in professional networks such as LinkedIn or Xing use so-called active sourcing to target people with exciting profiles and try to pitch their open positions to them. This procedure is already common practice, especially in the IT sector and for executives. From the applicant's point of view, this is of course also nice, since you might be able to save yourself the effort of applying. But that only works with a convincing, easy to find profile!

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It is particularly important that you...

...present your professional background as complete and detailed as possible

...specify all your skills (programming languages, language skills, procedures & processes) - these are the keywords recruiters are looking for

...use an appealing profile picture

...set your status to "Open for offers"

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4. Improve your German language skills

Not surprisingly, German language skills will significantly increase your chances in the job market. Yes, there are actually also some English language jobs. But these are rare and therefore very much in demand. So don't rely too much on getting one of these few jobs and rather take things in your own hands! A level of B1 or higher will not only help you professionally: it will also make it much easier for you to build up a local social network, to integrate quickly into your new environment and to cope with the many administrative tasks without the need for help from others.

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5. Practice job interviews

Another useful measure to increase your employability is to practice job interviews with other people in advance. Usually, an application process in German companies consists of the following steps:

• Prequalification calls

• Telephone/Video interviews

• In-person interviews

• Assessment Center (occasionally)

Familiarize yourself with the typical procedures, questions and tasks of all these interviews and practice them using role-plays. After all, even the best application won't work if you don't also convince personally. As with your application documents, avoid standard answers, be precise, use specific examples and let your personality flow into the process.

What are the long-term prospects for international professionals in Germany?

Of course, the current situation poses an enormous challenge for international applicants. Nevertheless, many experts agree that the corona crisis will not eliminate the shortage of skilled workers in Germany. As a high-tech country, Germany will continue to depend on qualified specialists from abroad, probably more than ever before. So make the best of the current situation, use the time to increase your employability and thus benefit from the next upswing in the job market - because it will certainly arrive!

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About the Author

My name is Johannes and I support international professionals who want to work in Germany. I believe that all people, no matter where they come from, should have equal chances in competing for the best jobs.

Therefore, I share my experiences as a professional recruiter in a German company on apply-in-germany.de and provide you with useful resources to successfully enter the job market. Don't hesitate to reach out to me on LinkedIn or Xing - I'm looking forward to exchanging with you!

Study Abroad - Useful Tips

How to study abroad? International Students guide to finding Accommodation? Can I study without a Blocked Account? Answers to these and many other questions you will find here.

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Related Articles:

1. Is There Study Abroad Life After Coronavirus? Study In Germany (Infographic)

2. How To Find Work In Germany Without Speaking German

3. Fully Funded Scholarships In Germany - Myth Or Reality? How To Finance Yourself Abroad

4. Study & Work Abroad - Partner Institutions

Is There Study Abroad Life After Coronavirus? Study In Germany (Infographic)

COVID does not cancel your plans, it only delays your plans! Here is what you need to do to start your studies abroad within the next 5-7 months. Follow the step by step infographic to learn more.

COVID Study Abroad Challenges

Are you facing either of these challenges? Then you are in the right place:

• Cancelled or delayed high school exams

• Travel restrictions until 21st of August

• APS delays

• Language test delays

• Visa delays

• Diploma issue delays

• Surpassed university deadlines

You may be surprised about how much I can help you organize yourself and your future travel NOW while being in lockdown.

If you do not find an answer to your question, feel free to contact me directly here.

COVID Study Abroad Action Plan

Many of you have been asking what to do currently with the situation in the world? Wait and see! But don’t just sit on your couch and do nothing, this is the right time to spend working on your personal development and think about your future.

Education is a part of your future, especially education abroad. I have prepared the detailed list of actions to take step by step from today onwards if you want to start studies in Germany, Holland, Belgium or Malta in the 2020-2021 Academic Year. Here we go!

You can follow the steps one by one or simultaneously depending on your time & availability of documents.

Step 1: Collect and scan all your documents at home for your study abroad program

Education proof

• 11th or 12th-grade result for Studienkolleg / Bachelor

• Bachelor result for Master

• Diplomas are generally not accepted

• HND or community college is difficult to have recognized in Germany and to have them accepted towards bachelor studies etc

• If you already have a Master or MBA degree - make sure to have it ready for application as well

Language proof

• English

  • IELTS

  • TOEFL

  • PTE

  • Waiver*

• German

  • DSH

  • Test Daf

  • Goethe Zertifikat

  • TELC

  • Alternative

Additional Documents

Passport, motivation statement (very important)**, Application Form with Application Fee**, Financial Solvency***, CV (if relevant), work experience proof (if relevant).

Important Facts

1. If all of your documents are in German it is a safe bet. Some universities also accept documents in English.

2. Once you have gathered all the necessary documents for admission, go ahead and apply directly unless the requirements state to go through the Uni Assist.

* Generally studying in English medium previously is not enough unless the university is British/American or alike. If English was used actively at work (and you have sufficient work experience to prove it - it might also work.

**To be prepared after university selection has been done.

**Some universities will ask you for proof you have sufficient funds to cover 1-year tuition fees. The blocked account might not be enough - be ready to submit additional proof.

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Step 2: Organize missing documents online

• If you are missing the English test or GMAT equivalent

Register for the English Test, or GRE Home Edition. The tests accepted by universities during a lockdown:

1. Duolingo Certificate: 48h results (recommended score 95)

2. TOEFL Special Home Edition: recommended scoring 87 ibt (TOEFL 79 - 86 ibt with supplemental agreement)

3. IELTS Indicator: recommended score 6,5

4. GRE can be conducted from home due to coronavirus outbreak; register for special home edition test at www.ets.org/mygre.

5. GMAT is not waived for the top-ranked universities in Germany, however, it is postponed or replaced with the internal test, as an example, the top-notch university of Germany, EBS is offering a possibility to take it until 2021. Read more about EBS here.

HOW TO PASS IELTS?
CLICK HERE

HOW TO PASS GMAT?
CLICK HERE

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If you are missing Recommendation Letters & Employment letters

Write to your company and university now to request online the documents to be picked up after the lockdown.

If you are missing the CV, Motivational Statement

It is the best time to work on them in your free time.

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Step 3: Schedule the appointment at the Embassy

It is alright if you do not yet have the documents or acceptance at the university, important is to be the first mover and to have an appointment ahead of the competition.

It is easier to cancel than to wait in the queue of the many students who would start scheduling a visa appointment after the lockdown.

Visit the German Embassy website/visa center and schedule the first available appointment in the month of July (I recommend 1-15 July) to make it on time for August-October intake and to be ahead of the competition.

Do it before anyone else who would want to go study abroad after Coronavirus lockdown!

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Step 4: Get the acceptance letter at the university of your choice

Normally the process is 1-3 months, but I can help you get an offer letter within 2 weeks at the private university of your choice. Start here if you are interested.

Step 5: Open blocked account online

Keep in mind the important news about the new law and the increased blocked account sum here.

The bank account for students, who require a visa (India, China, Pakistan, Russia, Colombia, etc.) must be opened before the visa application. You can open a blocked account from your home country at:

• Deutsche Bank

• Fintiba

• Expatrio

• Coracle - the best option for international students in 2020-2024

The last few years, more and more available options for opening a blocked account appeared to simplify the visa process for the foreign students, as an example, country-specific banks:

• Kotak Mahindra (India)

• Isbank (Turkey)

• UBL Bank (Pakistan)

Citizens from countries like Japan, Australia, Chile, Brazil, who have visa-free entry to Germany would be required to open an account after coming to Germany. There is plenty of available banks to open the blocked account in person after the arrival:

• Hypovereinsbank

• Commerzbank

• Postbank

• Sparkasse

If you are unsure which group of students you belong to (nationality wise), find your country on the list for the visa regulations here.

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Step 6: Transfer necessary fees and obtain visa documents

1. Transfer 10.200 Euro to your blocked bank account

2. Transfer the deposit to university to secure admission

All documents for a visa can be received online, printed out, and taken to the embassy after the lockdown. No original copies sent by post are required.

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Step 7: Apply for the visa at the indicated time & date after the lockdown

• Print out the documents of acceptance from the university

• Get the blocked account confirmation

• Collect all the documents needed from your side for application

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Step 8: Do not interrupt your life

Continue learning German & do not stop any of your activities: employment, rent, life! You can find out how to learn German easily and fast here.

After your visa is granted, use this 23 steps guide on relocation to Germany.

Application to universities should run on the background but should not be your first and foremost priority. Health comes first!

COVID Study Abroad FAQ

1. What if my diploma will not be issued any time soon? Will the university let me come?

   Yes, universities will give you a conditional acceptance letter understanding the situation.

2. I cannot take GMAT/IELTS because the testing centers are closed and we are having lockdown.

   Kindly refer to the options you can take at home!

3. My passport is with the embassy/my visa is still not granted/Embassy is closed

   Here you have to wait and see for the embassy to open and the moment lockdown is over you can obtain your visa and fly.

4. My course was supposed to start but I can’t arrive, what to do?

   Either your program started online or it was offered from university to start the next semester or the next year. Use either of the options!

5. My course starts in the next 3-4 months - is it safe to arrive?

   Yes definitely! German on-campus studies resume in May 2020, hence your August/September/October intake is safe to arrive!

   * Many students are turning to destinations such as Germany that have responded better to the Coronavirus pandemic than the USA and the UK (Source)

   * Germany ranked world's second-safest country during coronavirus pandemic (Source)

6. Can I start online instead?

   You can study online if you still cannot arrive or postpone your starting date without a problem. I highly advise you to start studies online, so that you arrive the moment the borders open not having missed out on classes and not having wasted time of your life!

7. When can I start my studies?

   • any month depending on the university

   • If your visa is not granted on time, start studies online or postpone the semester

   • Universities will allow you to postpone studies free of charge.

8. Where can I start my studies in this 2020-2021 Academic Year?

   • See the list of universities here

   • Contact me any time to find you a good school as per your qualifications

Target Countries

Find your perfect study abroad program using our reviews, guides, comparison tools, and program matching services. Browse study abroad programs now!

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4. Study Abroad - About Me