Setting up your blocked account is an important step toward getting a student visa for Germany. If you’re considering Studely as a potential provider for your account, you’re in the right place.
To study in Germany, you need to prove that you have at least €11,904 per year to cover your expenses. You will be required to present this document at the German embassy or consulate where you’ll be applying for your visa. A blocked account is the common way to fulfill this requirement.
We’ll cover everything from how to open a blocked account with Studely, the benefits it offers, its costs, and more.
What is Studely?
Studely is a blocked account provider that is mainly focused on providing services for students moving to France. However, they have expanded their services to Germany in recent years. The company has been operating since 2016 and has supported more than 10,000 students since its inception.
For students planning to study in Germany, Studely also partners with the well-known insurance company Barmer to offer great health insurance deals packaged with the blocked account.
How to Open a Blocked Account With Studely
Before you proceed with opening an account with Studely, you should know that their portal is fully in French. We will translate any steps that are not in English for you.
To begin with, go to or download the Studely app on or . Then, follow the steps below:
1. Create Your Studely Account
The first step is to choose what type of account you want. If your parents or a relative will be funding your stay, click on that type of account. If you’ll transfer the funds yourself, click on Student.
You will then be asked to provide the following information:
- Your language preference (French or English).
- Civility (Mr./Mrs./Ms.).
- Name & surname.
- Email.
- A password for your account.
- Country of residence.
- Phone number.
Next, click ‘Create Account’.
2. Confirm Your Email
You will be sent a 6-digit confirmation code in your email. Copy it on the confirmation to verify your email address.
3. Proceed With the Next Steps to Obtain the Irrevocable Transfer Certificate (AVI)
You will find something referred to as AVI on the Studely app. This is the Attestation de Virement Irrévocable or the Irrevocable Transfer Certificate in English. It is the document you need to submit as proof of finances when you apply for a study visa or residence permit.
To obtain this document, you need to complete an AVI request form. Here are the steps:
- Click on “Formulaire de demande d’AVI” (AVI request form) and “Commencer” (Start).
- Upload a scanned copy of your passport’s first page. If someone is sending money on your behalf, you need to provide supporting documents to confirm their identity.
- Type out your passport information and visa application information.
- Upload a certificate of admission to a German university.
- Sign an online contract provided by Studely.
*Note: If you’re having trouble with the request form on the Studely portal, you can submit it through this .
4. Transfer the Funds to Blocked Account
When your blocked account & identity are confirmed, it is time to deposit the funds to your blocked account. You will receive instructions and the bank details (Relevé d’identité bancaire-RIB) to which you’ll make the transaction.
Next, simply follow the instructions and send the money.
You can calculate as follows for a year in Germany:
- €992 x 12 = €11,904 per year.
- Plus, €73.8 total for account set-up and yearly maintenance.
- Total: €11,281.8 total.
5. Receive the Irrevocable Transfer Certificate (AVI)
As soon as Studely receives your transfer, they will send you the Irrevocable Transfer Certificate (AVI). You can use this as proof of finances when applying for a student visa or residence permit.
Benefits of Opening a Blocked Bank Account With Studely
Some reasons to consider Studely as your blocked account provider include:
- Caters to French-speaking countries. Studely is designed with French-speaking students in mind, particularly from African nations. They even have , so you can benefit from in-person assistance.
- Depositing funds from their offices in Africa. Another benefit, if you’re part of Studely’s target audience, is that you can deposit your money into a STUDELY payment account in their Africa offices.
- Quick service. The process to open your Studely blocked account is fully online and quick. It takes about a day for them to confirm your account.
Cost of Studely Blocked Account
You should calculate these fees for the basic Studely ZEN package (containing only the blocked account):
- Set-up fee (69.90 €) – One-time fee to open your Studely blocked account.
- Monthly fee (3.90 €) – Administrative fee to maintain your account.
This means that the total to be transferred for one year is €11,281.8. We also recommend sending a little extra to make sure your final required amount is not affected by transfer or currency exchange fees. The standard ‘buffer’ amount is around €80 to €100.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few other things you might want to know about the Studely blocked account:
Can I Use the Blocked Account By Studely as Proof of Funds for the German Student Visa?
According to Studely, the ZEN package is recognized by the German Federal Foreign Office.
How Long Does It Take to Transfer My Money to the Blocked Account?
Typically, international transfers take between 3 to 5 business days. However, delays of up to two weeks can occur, depending on your sending bank and country of residence.
How to Access Money from the Blocked Account?
You will need to open a current account once you arrive in Germany in order to access the money from your blocked account.
You can open this type of account at a bank of your choice by providing the following documents:
- Valid passport.
- Visa/residence permit.
- Address registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung).
- Certificate of admission or enrollment certificate of the university.
Once your current account is active, all you need to do is provide your BBAN (Basic Bank Account Number) to Studely. They will send you all the instructions on how to begin your monthly payments from the blocked account.
What Happens to the Blocked Account if My Visa Is Rejected?
In case your visa for Germany is rejected, Studely will make a full refund locally. You need to provide the following documents to request your refund:
- Letter requesting a refund signed by you.
- Notification of your visa refusal.
- Proof of payment of the deposit.