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Student Visas in Germany
- International students in Germany can choose between 3 visa types: the German language course visa, student applicant visa, and regular student visa.
- A German language course visa is valid for 3–12 months and is issued only for intensive language courses.
- A student applicant visa, also called a prospective student visa, is for students who are preparing to study in Germany but do not yet have final university admission.
- A regular German student visa is for students who already have admission to a German university, Studienkolleg, or mandatory preparatory program.
- Student visas are usually issued for 90 days / 3 months. After arrival, you must apply for a residence permit in Germany.
- All German student visa types require proof of financial resources and health insurance.
The German student visa, defined
A German student visa allows international students to enter Germany for study-related purposes, including university studies, preparatory courses, language courses, Studienkolleg, or admission-related preparation.
German authorities distinguish between short-term C-visas and long-term D-visas, depending on the planned duration and purpose of stay. For most full-time studies, students need a German national visa, also known as a D-visa.
International students & German student visas
International students fall into three main groups.
The first group comprises EU citizens and students from Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. According to our German visa guide, students from these countries do not need a German visa or residence permit. They only need to register at the residents’ registration office after moving to Germany.
The second group is made of students from countries without a visa requirement. Citizens from countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and Australia, can enter Germany without a visa for the first 90 days.
If they plan to stay longer than 90 days for studies, they must apply for a student residence permit at the local immigration office in Germany. They will need proof of admission, financial resources, and health insurance.
Students from all other countries usually need an entry visa before travelling to Germany. For study purposes, this is normally a student visa or student applicant visa.
Choosing between a C-visa & D-visa
You apply for a C-visa for a stay of up to 90 days. It is suitable, for example, if you want to attend an intensive language course or have to take an aptitude test for your planned studies. C-visas are also issued as tourist visas.
In your visa application and interview, you should specify the reason for your stay because the local German embassy requires different documents for a short language or study stay than for a tourist trip. You do not need a residence permit to enter Germany with a C-visa, but, unlike German self employment visas or work visas, student visas cannot work a job with this type.
D-visas are Germany’s national visas. They allow a stay of more than 90 days. After the first 3 months, you will need a residence permit. You must submit your application for a student residence permit to the local immigration office within 3 months of arriving in Germany.
Both visa types are Schengen visas, allowing you to travel freely in the EU and the Schengen area during your stay in Germany.
A C-visa cannot be extended. If it expires, you must leave Germany. Only apply for this visa if you are sure that a stay of up to 90 days is enough.
Type 1: German Student Language Course Visa
TYou will need a German language course visa to attend an intensive language course in Germany. It can be issued as a C-visa or a D-visa for 3–12 months. The duration of your language course is crucial for the validity of the visa.
A German language course visa is issued exclusively for this purpose and cannot be converted into other types. It is also not possible to extend it beyond 12 months. After its expiration, you must leave the country.
One visa requirement is attending a German language course for at least 18 hours per week, with daily lessons.
This visa is restrictive. A language course visa is issued only for the language course. In most cases, you cannot switch to a student residence permit from inside Germany or extend your stay beyond 12 months. If your plan is to study afterward, this is usually the wrong starting point.
Type 2: German Student Applicant Visa
You can get a German student applicant visa if you prove that you are seriously interested in studying in Germany and preparing for it but have not yet received an acceptance letter. Germany grants a prospective student visa for the following reasons, for example:
- You have already applied to one or more German universities but have not yet received official admission.
- You have not yet applied to a course of study. Still, you are in contact with German universities or Uni-Assist (a central service organization that checks the application documents of international students for around 170 universities).
- You have to take an aptitude test for your desired course of study.
- You are planning to participate in preparatory measures. These may include German language courses, propaedeutic courses, a mandatory pre-study internship, or a preparatory college (Studienkolleg).
If your high school-leaving certificate is not equivalent to the German Abitur, you must complete a preparatory college (Studienkolleg) before university admission.
You will receive instruction for your planned studies and strengthen your German. Training at a Studienkolleg usually takes 2 semesters; with good performance, it can be shortened to 1 semester.
After the final exam, you can receive your university admission. To attend a Studienkolleg, you can receive a student applicant visa (if you have not yet received official admission) or a regular student visa.
A prospective student visa is issued for 3–9 months. After receiving the admission letter from your university, it can be converted directly (without leaving the country and applying for a new visa) into a regular student visa.
Extending a student application visa for more than 9 months is normally impossible. If you decide on this visa type, you should have a realistic chance of being admitted to university.
Type 3: German Student Visa
With a German Student visa, you receive a residence permit for the entire duration of your studies. You can apply for this visa if you already have a letter of admission for your desired course of study, a Studienkolleg, or another mandatory preparatory program. The visa is typically issued for 3 months. After arrival, you apply for a student residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde. That permit is usually granted for up to 2 years and extended as long as you remain enrolled.
Main Requirements for all German Student Visas:
Proof of Financial Resources
To obtain a German student visa, you must prove that you can finance your living costs in Germany.
Common options include:
- Blocked bank account: Many students use a blocked account with a deposit of at least €11,904. This allows monthly payouts of €992 after arrival.
- Parents’ financial declaration: A written declaration from your parents, usually with bank and salary statements.
- Sponsor declaration: A declaration of commitment from a sponsor living or based in Germany.
- Scholarship: A full scholarship that covers basic living costs and health insurance.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a scholarship database for international students who want to study in Germany.
Health Insurance
For a language course visa or student applicant visa, your health insurance must cover acute medical treatment for illness and accidents during your planned stay. The provider must usually be based in Germany or another EU country.
For a regular student visa, provisional health insurance valid for at least 3 months with minimum coverage of €30,000 is often sufficient for the visa application. Later, students need full German student health insurance.
Proof of Language Skills
Most German-taught degree programs require German language skills at B2 or C1 level. For bilingual programs, proof of English may also be required.
Accepted German certificates may include:
- DSH
- TestDaF
- Goethe-Institut language diploma
- DSD II
Accepted English certificates may include:
- TOEFL
- IELTS
German Student Visa Required Documents
You usually need to submit documents in their original form plus 2 photocopies. Requirements may vary by embassy, so always check the website of your local German mission.
| Document | Required for | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Application forms | All visa types | 2 completed and signed visa application forms. |
| Passport | All visa types | Valid passport, usually with copies of the identity pages. |
| Biometric photos | All visa types | 2 recent biometric passport photos. |
| Proof of financing | All visa types | Blocked account, parents’ declaration, sponsor declaration, or scholarship. |
| Health insurance | All visa types | Valid insurance for the planned stay or provisional insurance for at least 3 months. |
| Letter of motivation | All visa types | Explains your reason for studying, preparing, or attending a course in Germany. |
| Proof of accommodation | Especially language course and applicant visa | Accommodation proof for the stay in Germany. |
| Visa fee payment | All visa types | Proof of payment of the visa fee, usually €75. |
| Course registration | Language course visa | Confirmation of an intensive language course with required weekly hours. |
| University application proof | Student applicant visa | Proof of applications, university correspondence, Uni-Assist contact, or preparatory measures. |
| University admission | Student visa | Admission to a degree program, Studienkolleg, or mandatory preparatory program. |
| Language certificates | Student and student applicant visa | German and, if required, English language certificates. |
| Educational certificates | Student and student applicant visa | Certified school-leaving certificates and academic degrees. |
| CV | Student and student applicant visa | Curriculum vitae with education and, if applicable, work history. |
| Employment leave letter | If applicable | Official leave letter from employer. |
| Civil status documents | If applicable | Marriage certificate or birth certificates of children. |
If documents are missing at your visa appointment, the embassy may reject or delay your application. Check whether your local German embassy requires additional documents, notarizations, translations, or certifications.
Visa Appointment and Interview
To apply for a German student visa, you must book a personal appointment with the German embassy or consulate in your home country. Many embassies allow digital appointment booking.
At the appointment, you submit your documents and complete a visa interview. The embassy may ask about:
- Your motivation for studying in Germany
- Your chosen university or course
- Your financial resources
- Your accommodation plans
- Your language skills
- Your long-term academic or career goals
First Steps after Arriving in Germany
After entering Germany with a student visa, you must complete several formalities:
- Find permanent accommodation: This can be a shared apartment, private apartment, or student residence.
- Register your address: Register at the residents’ registration office within 14 days after moving into your accommodation.
- Take out student health insurance: Replace provisional insurance with statutory or private student health insurance.
- Enroll at your university: Submit your admission letter, passport, visa, photos, and health insurance proof to complete enrollment.
- Apply for a residence permit: Apply at the local immigration office before your entry visa expires.
- Open a German current account: You will need it for rent, semester fees, blocked account payouts, and daily payments.
Students must re-register at the beginning of each semester. This usually includes paying the semester fee on time. If you miss the deadline, you may be exmatriculated.
Advantages of a Student Applicant Visa
A student applicant visa can be useful if you are still preparing for admission.
- It helps you arrive in Germany in time for the start of your studies.
- It gives you flexibility to attend preparatory courses, language courses, or university-related orientation.
- It can be converted into a regular student visa once you receive university admission.
- It may allow part-time work of up to 20 hours per week under the newer rules.
Conclusion
Germany offers several visa pathways for international students, depending on whether they are learning German, preparing for admission, or already admitted to a university. The most important step is choosing the correct visa type before applying. For students who have a career path ahead of them, options such as German job hunting visas, German apprenticeship visas might also be of consideration.
A German language learning visa is suitable for intensive German courses, but it is limited and cannot usually be converted into another visa. A student applicant visa is more flexible and allows prospective students to prepare for admission in Germany. A regular German student visa is the right choice for students who already have official admission to a degree program, Studienkolleg, or mandatory preparatory measure.
In all cases, applicants should prepare proof of financing, health insurance, and complete documents carefully. After arrival, they must register their address, enroll at university, arrange student health insurance, and apply for a residence permit before the entry visa expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you know you must attend a preparatory college but have not yet been officially admitted, you should apply for a student applicant visa (prospective student visa). You can apply directly for a regular German student visa if you already have an admission letter for the Studienkolleg.
With all 3 visa types for international students, you can work during a language course, a study preparation, or a full-time study program in Germany, provided it is a D-visa (national visa). A secondary occupation of 140 full or 240 half working days in the calendar year is allowed.
However, your studies must still be your main focus. Your weekly working hours may not exceed 20 during the lecture period. During the semester break, however, there are no restrictions on weekly working hours. If you work as a student assistant or tutor at your German university, these regulations do not apply.
This is only possible with a regular student visa and residence permit. After graduating, you can get an 18-month residence permit to seek employment – you can work during this time even if you have not yet found your permanent job. Take up a job that matches your qualifications immediately after graduating. You will receive a residence permit under the Skilled Immigration Act, which can be converted into a permanent residence permit after two years. You can also receive a residence permit and a permanent one if you start a self-employed or freelance activity after graduating in Germany.