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Applying for a student visa
If you wish to study in Germany, you will need a visa before entering the country.
This does not apply to:
- Nationals of Member States of the European Union (EU) and EEA countries
- Swiss nationals
- Nationals of Andorra, Australia, Brazil, El Salvador, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland (within the meaning of Section 1(2)(6) of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU), Honduras, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino and the USA
The visa is usually issued with a validity period of one year. Upon arrival in Germany, you must register with the Residents’ Registration Office in your new place of residence within 14 days.
Nationals of Andorra, Australia, Brazil, El Salvador, Great Britain and Northern Ireland (within the meaning of Section 1(2)(6) of the Freedom of Movement Act (EU)), Honduras, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino and the USA, who are permitted to enter Germany visa-free for study purposes, must apply for a residence permit for students from countries outside the EU/EEA within 90 days of entry.
Responsible department
The German diplomatic mission (embassy, consulate) within whose jurisdiction you usually reside or have your place of residence
Details
Prerequisite
- Studying at
- a state or state-recognised higher education institution (university, university of education, art college, university of applied sciences) or
- a comparable educational institution (for example, the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (formerly: Berufsakademie)).
- The course of study must be the main purpose of the stay.
This includes all stages of education:- language courses or preparatory colleges for prepare for higher education
- language examination
- work placements in preparation for the degree programme (where recommended or required by the higher education institution)
- Degree programme (foundation year, main degree programme, work placements undertaken alongside studies, interim and final examinations)
- Advanced, supplementary or additional studies, or a PhD
- Practical work following a degree programme, insofar as it forms a compulsory part of the training
- Ensuring the
- funding for living expenses
The relevant minimum amounts are published annually by the Federal Ministry of the Interior in the Federal Gazette. - Health insurance in Germany
- funding for living expenses
- Fulfilment of the entry requirements for the chosen educational institution.
The general academic entry requirements for the chosen educational institution cannot be met retrospectively within Germany.
Procedure
You can apply for the relevant residence permit (visa, residence permit) using the appropriate form.
Application forms for visa applications are available free of charge from the relevant diplomatic mission in the local language. They are also available for download, depending on what the relevant diplomatic mission offers.
For other residence permits, you can obtain the necessary forms from the Foreigners’ Registration Office in the town where you registered your place of residence after entering the country. Details of the relevant procedure can be found in the procedural guides listed above.
You must submit your visa application in person. If necessary, the diplomatic mission will seek the approval of the Foreigners’ Registration Office at your future place of residence in Germany. Once approval has been granted, the diplomatic mission can issue the visa, which permits entry and temporary residence.
Deadlines
Please note that you are required to apply for a residence permit before your visa expires.
Required documents
- valid passport
- a recent passport photograph
- Depending on the type of residence permit, evidence of the following requirements:
- Certificate stating the purpose of the stay (for example, admission to a degree programme)
- Proof of financial means (e.g. details of parents’ income and assets, deposit of a security sum into a blocked account in Germany, scholarship agreement)
- Proof of health insurance
The German diplomatic mission abroad and the Foreigners’ Registration Office may request further documents.
Costs
75.00 EUR
Processing time
The time taken from submitting your application to the visa being issued may vary. You should allow for a processing time of several months.
Miscellaneous
Please apply for your visa as early as possible and contact the relevant German diplomatic mission abroad.
Detailed information
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides a list of representations of the Federal Republic of Germany abroad on its online pages.
- The website of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides detailed information.
Legal basis
Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG):
- § 2 Lebensunterhalt, Krankenversicherung
- § 3 Passpflicht
- § 4 Erfordernis eines Aufenthaltstitels
- § 5 Lebensunterhalt, Krankenversicherung
- § 16b Studium
Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV):
- § 28 Befreiung für freizügigkeitsberechtigte Schweizer
- § 31 Zustimmung der Ausländerbehörde zur Visumerteilung
- §§ 39 - 41 Einholung des Aufenthaltstitels im Bundesgebiet
- § 46 Gebühren für das Visum
- § 31 Zustimmung der Ausländerbehörde zur Visumerteilung
Freizügigkeitsgesetz/EU (FreizügG/EU):
- § 4 Nicht erwerbstätige Freizügigkeitsberechtigte
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Justizministerium Baden-Württemberg, 29.05.2026
