International students need a German student 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 to enter the country.

Important Information!

Anyone who can enter Germany without an entry visa and / or only has a limited residence permit must apply for and receive a new permit in Germany at the responsible immigration authority at your German place of residence within the residence period.

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!

Important: You can also enter Germany with a gift visa, but you have to extend your stay by applying for and receiving a German residence permit at your home address to study at the immigration authorities. You should do this as long as your entry visa is still valid and the procedure of the embassy in your home country is also different, so please take a look at the official website of the German representation in your home country!

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
• Motivation writing
• Letter of admission from the German language school

  As a rule, proof of payment of the tuition fee is also required; this is usually confirmed by the language school after receipt of payment.

• Proof that you have received intensive lessons for at least 18 hours a week
• Proof of sufficient financial resources

It can be:

Proof of scholarship

Declaration of commitment by a relative, company, acquaintance living in Germany who will cover the cost of living for you here in Germany

A blocked account for €10236 per year or at least €853 per month of your stay is deposited. This can be our partner Finita Bank

Information on the blocked account

• Travel health insurance for your entire stay

Information on health insurance

• 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.