If you鈥檙e an international student looking to study in Germany, your German student visa process may vary, depending on where you’re coming from and how long your studies are. Some international students must apply for a visa before leaving their home country. Others may enter Germany without a visa, but will need a student visa and/or residence permit if they wish to stay in Germany for longer than 90 days or work while they’re studying.
Below, we’ll look at how the German student visa application process works and the different kinds of visas students are eligible for. Plus, we’ll explain the difference between student visas and residence permits鈥攂oth important documents for international students in Germany!
Please note: this post is offered as information only. For official visa guidance, refer to the or contact the German embassy or consulate in your home country.
Who Needs a German Student Visa?
It varies. Fortunately, the German government has created a chart where you can to enter Germany. Let’s take a look at some of the :
Are you a citizen of鈥�
- Part of the European Union (EU), Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland? You don’t need a student visa or residence permit to work or study in Germany. However, you’ll need to register your address at the once you arrive.
- Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco, or San Marino? You don’t need a student visa in Germany. You’ll just need to register your address at the Residents’ Registration Office, and apply for a residence permit within 90 days of arriving in Germany at the Ausl盲nderbeh枚rde or Ausl盲nderamt (foreigners’ authority) in your city.
If you plan to work part-time, you’ll need a student visa, plus address registration and a residence permit.
- Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, or the US? You don’t need a student visa to enter Germany. You must, however, register your address at the Residents’ Registration Office and apply for a residence permit at the Ausl盲nderbeh枚rde within 90 days of your arrival.
If you’re not a citizen of one of the countries listed above, you’ll likely need both a student visa and a residence permit to study in Germany.
What Kinds of German Student Visas Are There?
If you need a visa and are staying 90 days or less (like if you’re taking a language programme), you’ll apply for a Schengen visa or “C visa.” The Schengen visa may not be extended.
Students who plan to study in Germany for more than 90 days will need a national visa, also called a “D visa.”
Future international students may apply for one of two . If you’ve already been accepted into a German academic institution, you may apply for a student visa. However, if you’re still waiting for your letter of acceptance, or if you need to do an entrance exam or in-person interview in Germany, you can apply for a prospective student visa. Prospective student visas also work for students taking language classes or attending a (pathway program).
Note: If you plan to study in Germany, apply for a student visa before you travel there. For example, if you enter Germany on a tourist visa, it .
How Long Do German Student Visas Take to Process?
National visas may . Processing times vary by visa subcategory, though, so yours may be shorter. For example, on the German Consular Service website for India, student visa processing time was in April 2025. Even so, it’s wise to start your visa application as early as possible!
The German Student Visa Application Process
Step 1: Choose the Right Visa
The best visa option may vary based on your academic plans and duration of stay:
- (Visum zu Studienzwecken): For students with a letter of acceptance to a higher education institution.
- (Visum zur Studienbewerbung): If you plan to apply, interview, or take an entrance exam in person in Germany, or if you’re taking a language course in preparation for your studies.
- (Sprachkursvisum): For students attending intensive, daily language courses which are not in preparation for studying or training in Germany.
Step 2: Gather Your Visa Documents
Every country’s German embassy or consulate may have specific application requirements. For example, many international students from China, Vietnam, and India must have their documents’ authenticity checked by the (APS). However, most students will need to include in their visa application.
Common German student visa application requirements include:
- Application documents including a completed application form, valid passport, a birth certificate, and passport photos.
- Certified translations of academic documents, if not in English or German.
- Proof of language skills in the language(s) of instruction.
- Proof of financial resources (鈧�11,904 in 2025) through a blocked account (Sperrkonto) or scholarship.
- Proof of health and travel insurance that covers the entire duration of the stay.
- Proof of purpose of stay, via either a confirmation of admission, proof of conditional admission, or confirmation in an university preparatory programme (a Studienkolleg).
Missing or incorrect documents can lead to delays or rejection, so double-check everything before your visa appointment!
Step 3: Schedule a Visa Appointment
Book an appointment at the nearest . Appointments can fill up quickly, especially from May to July. Watch your embassy’s website for appointment openings, and get all the required documents ready before the appointment date.
Step 4: Submit Your Visa Application and Attend an Interview
At your German visa appointment, you’ll submit your student visa application and the required documents.
You’ll also pay an entry visa fee. Remember to keep your entry visa fee receipt!
You may have to participate in an in-person interview, too. Your interviewer will ask about your motivation, study plans, and how you’ve prepared to live in Germany. Be ready to discuss your chosen programme, career goals, and how your studies align with these goals. Be honest and be clear.
Step 5: Allow Time for Visa Processing
Processing times vary depending on your country of origin, the embassy’s workload, and the time of year. It can take longer during peak seasons. With that in mind, it’s smart to .
Step 6: Receive Your Visa
If you鈥檙e approved, you’ll receive your student visa. Make sure all the details (your name, the visa’s validity dates, and any entry conditions) are correct. Now, you can set up your travel and housing arrangements, buy insurance, and prepare for your move.
Step 7: Enrol in Classes and 天美麻豆 Your Address
After arriving in Germany, you must enrol at the higher education institution where you’ll be studying. You may be able to do this online (via the university portal), in person at the student affairs office, or both. After enrolling, you’ll receive your certificate of enrolment鈥攁 key document you’ll need as you settle in.
You must also with the Residents’ Registration Office. Students must have long-term housing arranged within two weeks of arriving in Germany.
Step 8: Convert Your Student Visa into a Residence Permit
While a student visa lets you enter Germany, a residence permit establishes your ability to stay in Germany while studying. Within 90 days of arriving in Germany, most international students must apply for a residence permit.
You’ll need your certificate of enrolment, proof of residence, and confirmation of address registration to apply for a residence permit, along with like proof of finances and a completed application form.
Residence permits for international students are generally and may be renewed for an additional two years.
Step 9: Get Studying!
Receiving your residence permit is a key step when setting up for your studies鈥攁nd life鈥攊n Germany. Once you have yours, you’re largely considered to have completed the German student visa application process.
You’ll be ready to start your classes, and will also be able to work part-time during your studies or for up to 90 days within 6 months.
We hope this guide to the German student visa application process is helpful, and wish you the best of luck on your study journey!
Find a study programme in Germany that matches your goals on the 天美麻豆 platform today.
