Study in GermanyVisa and residence permit
1. Who needs a visa?
Citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland only need a valid ID card or comparable document to enter the country. After your arrival in Germany, you need to make an appointment at one of the registration centers in the city of the location of your university, where you could receive the document that confirms your rights to stay.
If you come from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea or the United States you can enter Germany without a visa. However, if you are going to stay in Germany for more than three months, you should apply for a residence permit. You should receive an appointment at one of the local foreign authorities (Ausländeramt / Ausländerbehörde).
Citizens of Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco and San Marino may apply for their residence permit after arrival in Germany, provided that they do not intend to take up employment (a job during the studying is excepted from the rule).
Non-EU citizens from other countries normally need a visa to study in Germany. Exceptions for some countries you could find here.
2. Types of visa
There are several types of visas for studying:
a) If you are going to attend language or educational courses for less than three months then you can apply for a short stay visa (known as a Schengen visa).
b) If you have already received your acceptance from one of the German educational organisations, you can apply for a German national visa for studying.
c) If you are still waiting for your acceptance letter or you need to be present in Germany to pass exams for entrance to the German university, you need to apply for a student applicant visa.
If you are not sure, which type of visa you need, you can use a special “Visa Navigator“ which helps to define the type of a visa.
3. Where to apply for a visa?
To apply for a visa you need to find a German embassy or consulate located in a country of your origin. You can find more information about the German authorities in your home country on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.
4. Short stay visa
A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa allowing its holder to circulate in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within 180 days. If you are going to attend courses for less than three months, you should apply for a Schengen visa.
Remember, that this type of visa can not be extended. If you have plans to apply for studying at one of the German universities after your German course, you need to do it once more time from your home country.
All requirements for a short-stay visa can be found on the website of the embassy in your country. However, the following documents are usually required:
a) Your passport/Travel document
Your passport must be no older than 10 years. In addition, the document must contain at least two blank pages and be valid for at least 3 months after the planned date of departure from Germany.
b) Copies of your previous visas
c) Proof of your accommodation
This document should prove your accommodation during your stay in Germany.
d) Proof of your financial reliability
You must provide the financial means for your stay in Germany.
e) Insurance
You should obtain travel health insurance for the whole territory of Germany and all the other Schengen states. Your insurance must cover medical emergencies with a minimum of 30,000€.
5. Long stay visa for studying
If you have already received your acceptance letter from one of the German universities or a letter of admission from one of the German educational institutions, you could apply for a German national visa. These documents are usually required:
a) Two completed visa application forms and 2 recently taken biometric portrait photographs
b) A valid passport
c) Proof of admission at one of the German educational institutions
d) Proof of your financial reliability
You must provide the document that you can cover your living expenses in Germany for one year (around 11.208 euros). There are different possibilities to prove this amount of money:
- Scholarship
If you receive a scholarship from one of the German foundations, you could bring the agreement, which proves the amount of money and the duration of your scholarship.
- A Bank blocked account
A special type of bank account for foreign students in Germany, which allows you to deposit the amount of money necessary to stay in Germany for one year. You can withdraw no more than 934 Euros per month.
- Declaration of Commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung)
You can prove your financial possibility to stay in Germany if you have someone in Germany who can take the responsibility to sponsor your stay. You could sign a declaration of Commitment. The responsible person should make an appointment in one of the German citizen's service centres and receive a declaration of commitment, then sign it and send you the document.
e) Documents about your earlier education
If you are going to study in the preparation course or bachelor's program, you should bring your school certificate with a German translation. If you are excepted for a Master's program, then you should bring your Bachelor's degree certificate in German as well.
f) Health insurance
You should provide a German health insurance certificate. About the most popular health insurance providers in Germany for international students you can read here.
You can not receive a German health insurance certificate being not in Germany, but you can apply for being a member of one of the German health insurance providers (this information is available on the website of the German health insurance providers). After the application, you should receive a letter of confirmation which proves that after arrival in Germany you will receive your German health insurance certificate.
g) Proof of your language skills (depends on the program English or German)
You should provide information about your language skills, depending on the educational program. If you entered the program in English, then you must provide a document on the level of English. If the educational program is held in German, then a German certificate. For more information on which certificates can confirm your German or English level skills, see here.
h) Curriculum vitae
This document must contain your short biography in a table without gaps in periods.
i) Motivation letter
The motivation letter or statement of purpose is a special document where you describe your professional competencies and your motivation to study at one of the German universities. In your motivation letter you should show your personal interest to the educational program and your ability to study successfully at the chosen university. Furthermore, you should explain, why you would like to get your education in Germany.
j) Marriage certificate
k) Proof of having paid the German student visa application fee
6. Student applicant visa
This type of visa is required if you have applied for admission to the one of German educational institutions, but before full enrolment, you need to pass an interview, exams or preparatory course. In case you are fully admitted to one of the German educational institutions, you can change this type of visa into a residence permit for studying.
This type of visa does not allow one to stay in Germany longer than nine months in case of not being admitted for studies and receiving a work permit. The following documents are normally required:
a) Two completed visa application forms and 2 recently taken biometric portrait photographs
b) A valid passport
c) Conditional admission letter or a conditional offer letter from a university
d) A recognized document about your previous education
e) Proof of financial means
f) Proof of your language skills
g) Curriculum vitae
h) Health insurance
You should obtain travel health insurance for the whole territory of Germany and all the other Schengen states. Your insurance must cover medical emergencies with a minimum of 30,000€.
i) Proof of accommodation for the entire period of stay
j) Proof of paid visa fee
7. How to receive a residence permit for studying?
Normally, you receive a visa for studying in your home country and after arrival in Germany, you should make an appointment at one of the local foreigners authorities (Ausländeramt / Ausländerbehörde) and apply for your residence permit. You should make it in advance, as the process can take a long time. After processing your application, you will receive a temporary residence permit for studying for 1 or maximum 2 years with the possibility of prolongation.