International language students need a German visa, which must be applied for at your German diplomatic mission in their country before they can come to Germany to study.

However, individual states have special rules and you do not need a visa for entry and you do not need a visa for intensive language courses up to 3 months.

Important Information!

Who can enter Germany without an entry visa and or only has a limited residence permit, must re-apply for this within the period of residence in Germany at the responsible immigration authority in your German place of residence and obtain it.

Do I need a visa?

• As a rule, you generally need a visa to enter the Federal Republic of Germany. Citizens of EU countries and other countries for which the European Community has lifted the visa requirement for short-term stays of up to 90 days within a period of 180 days are generally excluded.

You can check whether you need a visa here via the official link of the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany:

https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/service/visa-und-haben/staatliste-zur-visumpflicht/207820/

Where do I apply for the visa?

The embassies and consulates general (diplomatic missions) of the Federal Republic of Germany are responsible for issuing visas.

The local authority for processing the visa application is the immigration office in whose district you have your habitual residence or place of residence.

Which visa do I need?

If your studies last up to 3 months, you will need a Schengen visa!

If your studies last longer than 3 months, you need a German national visa!

What do I need for a visa?

For the visa application you should provide the following:

• Copy of your valid passport

(The passport must not be older than 10 years and must still be valid for at least 1 year.)

• 3 passport photos according to biometric specifications
• Your motivation in writing
• Notice of Admission to German language school (As a rule proof of payment of tuition fees is also required. As a rule this is confirmed to you by the language school after receipt of payment.)
• Certification that you receive at least 18 hours of intensive language training per week
• Certification as to sufficient financial means

This can be:

Proof of your scholarship or grant-in-aid

A declaration of commitment by a relative living in Germany, a firm, or an acquaintance, to assume the cost of living expenses for you here in Germany

A blocked account of over 10.236 euros per year, or at least 853 euros deposited as security for every month of your stay. Please check the product from our partner the Finita bank.

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• Travel health insurance for your entire period of stay.

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• Visa application 2nd subject

In most cases, a national long-stay visa will be applied for

A gift visa for short-term stays of up to 90 days

Important: When choosing a gift visa and planning long-term stays in Germany, please consider that you must have extended your visa before the 90 days have expired.