Skip to main content
RU
GermanyStudy

Student visa for study in Germany

A residence permit for foreign nationals admitted to recognised German universities. It covers both study at universities and vocational schools and preparatory programmes (language courses, Studienkolleg). It requires confirmation of admission and of financial resources for the first year of study. It allows limited employment and can be renewed after the programme ends in order to look for qualified work.

Work
Part-time work of up to 120 full or 240 half days a year
Residence
Study at a recognised German educational institution

Source: gesetze-im-internet.de — § 16b AufenthG (university study)

Main routes for students

The Visum zu Studienzwecken opens several routes depending on the applicant's status and plans.

Who this programme suits

  • Applicants admitted to an accredited German university
  • Students on language courses before the main programme
  • Participants in preparatory colleges (Studienkolleg)
  • Students on vocational training programmes

Main requirements

  • Letter of admission from a German educational institution
  • Proof of funding (several options)
  • Health insurance meeting German requirements
  • A passport valid for the whole period of the stay

Options after graduation

  • Renewal of the permit for 18 months to look for work
  • Moving to a work residence permit where the salary requirements are met
  • A route to permanent residence after the set period of work
  • Access to programmes recognising foreign qualifications

When this programme will not suit you

Admission to a German university has been refused

A visa to look for a study place (Visum zu Studienplatzsuche) or alternative study programmes in other countries

There is not enough funding to provide the required proof

Look for a sponsor, a scholarship through the DAAD or other foundations, or consider work-study programmes

You need to earn a large amount of money immediately

Work visas (the Blue Card, skilled worker visas) rather than student status

Documents to gather

A standard set of documents for filing a student visa application at a German mission.

  • Passport valid for the whole period of the stay
  • Schengen visa (where required for nationals of your country)
  • Letter of admission (Zulassungsbescheid) or acceptance letter from a German university
  • Proof of funding: a blocked account, a statement of income, or a sponsor's undertaking (Verpflichtungserklärung)
  • Certificate of health insurance meeting German requirements
  • German language certificate (level B1 or above for some programmes) or proof of enrolment on a language course
  • Curriculum vitae (Lebenslauf) in German
  • Motivation letter (Motivationsschreiben) setting out the aims of the study
  • Copy of a civil status document (birth certificate, marriage certificate)
  • Receipt for the visa fee (where required)

How the process runs

The standard process for obtaining a German student visa.

  1. 1

    Admission to a German university

    usually 3-6 months before the semester starts

    You must apply to the chosen university or vocational institution and obtain a letter of admission. This document is the basis for the visa application.

  2. 2

    Preparing proof of funding

    in parallel with the university application

    Choose one of the options: open a blocked account with a German bank, collect statements of your parents' income, obtain a sponsor's undertaking, or confirm a scholarship. The amount must match a student's subsistence level for the first year.

  3. 3

    Arranging health insurance

    a month before filing the visa application

    Conclude a contract with a German insurer or an international insurer providing the required minimum cover. Some universities help arrange the insurance.

  4. 4

    Filing the visa application

    usually 2-3 months before departure

    Attend the German mission in your country in person with the complete set of documents. Give your fingerprints and photograph. File the application on the mission's form.

  5. 5

    Examination of the application

    from 2 weeks to 3 months

    The mission checks the documents and may request further material. The processing time depends on the workload and the country of filing. Work-study visas are often processed faster.

  6. 6

    Issue of the visa

    1-3 days after the decision

    Where the decision is positive, the visa is placed in the passport. The visa is valid for the stated period (from 1 to 2 years depending on the length of the programme).

  7. 7

    Arrival in Germany and registration

    within a month of arrival

    On arrival, register your address (Anmeldung) with the local registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt). Obtain the registration certificate (Meldebestätigung).

  8. 8

    Applying for the residence permit

    within a month of arrival

    Contact the local immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde) to obtain the residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis). Present the visa in your passport, the letter of admission, the address registration certificate, the insurance and the proof of funding.

  9. 9

    Enrolment at the university

    as scheduled by the university

    Complete enrolment at the university, pay the student fees and receive your student card. This confirms your status as a student.

  10. 10

    Part-time work during study

    throughout the period of study

    A student may work up to 120 full or 240 half days a year. Student jobs at the university do not count towards this limit. Part-time work is a way to supplement your funding.

  11. 11

    Completing the programme

    matches the length of the programme

    On successfully completing the programme you receive your degree. Consider your next steps: looking for work, continuing your education or returning to your country of origin.

  12. 12

    Looking for work after graduation

    up to 18 months after completing the programme

    You are entitled to renew your residence permit for up to 18 months to look for qualified work. For this period the visa is issued for one year and can be renewed if the search continues.

Who you can bring with you

Whether family members can enter depends on their status and on funding being available for the whole family.

Spouse of the student
The spouse may obtain a family reunification permit if the conditions are met: the student holds a residence permit without restrictions or a qualified residence permit, the spouse has German at least at A1 (often more is required), and both spouses are of full age. The funding must cover both spouses.
Children of the student
Minor unmarried children may be granted entry if the student holds a qualified residence permit (settlement or a two-year permit is normally required). One parent (or both) must be in Germany. Children over 16 may be required to know German. The funding must be sufficient to support the children.
Parents of the student
Reunification of parents with a student is very limited and allowed only in exceptional cases of pressing need. Parents normally obtain visas independently of the student and support themselves or find their own source of income in Germany.

Renewal and the grace period

The residence permit is normally issued for a period of 1 to 2 years, depending on the length of the study programme. Renewal is possible where the purpose of the stay (study) has not yet been achieved and can be achieved within a reasonable time. The renewal application is filed with the local immigration authority before the current permit expires. Where a current letter of admission and proof of funding are held, renewal is usually granted. After completing the programme the student may renew the permit for up to 18 months to look for work.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

After obtaining a German degree and moving to a work residence permit, permanent residence is possible after 2 years of work with 24 months of pension contributions and German at B1

Route to citizenship

Naturalisation after 5 years of residence

Frequently asked questions about Student visa for study

What is the minimum amount required for a blocked account?
The amount in the blocked account depends on the subsistence level, which is derived from the maximum rates of student support (BAföG). The specific amounts vary and are set by the German mission in your country. It is advisable to check the exact figure directly with the German consulate or embassy, since it is updated annually.
Can I work while studying in Germany?
Yes, students may work up to 120 full or 240 half days a year. Student jobs at the university (such as research assistant work or library work) do not count towards this limit. This allows students to earn money to supplement their funding while keeping the focus on their studies.
What is a Verpflichtungserklärung and how does it work?
A Verpflichtungserklärung (a formal undertaking by a sponsor) is a document in which a private individual or a legal entity (in Germany or abroad) confirms that it will support the student during the stay. It is an alternative to a blocked account or statements of the parents' income. The sponsor must have sufficient means (matching the student's monthly subsistence level multiplied by the number of months of study). The undertaking is submitted with the other documents to the German mission.
How long can I stay in Germany after finishing my studies?
After successfully completing your studies you can renew your residence permit for up to 18 months to look for qualified work in your field. This time is intended for finding a position matching your qualification. If you find a job with a salary at or above the set minimum (which depends on your field), you can move to a work residence permit.
Is knowledge of German required for admission?
German language requirements depend on the programme and the university. Some bachelor's and diploma programmes require German at B2 or C1. However, many universities offer master's programmes in English or preparatory language courses (Studienkolleg) for foreign nationals whose German is not yet sufficient. You can obtain a visa for a language course and then move to a student visa for the main programme.

Other ways to move to Germany

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Germany.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.