Visa and Residency Requirements
Prospective students from non-EU countries need a student visa (residence permit for the purpose of studying in Germany) to gain entry to the country.
Student Visa
You can obtain a student visa from the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country if you:
- - have a confirmed offer of a study place from a German university or
- have been invited to the Studienkolleg Entrance Exam or
- have been invited to the DSH German Language Test
- can prove that you have adequate financial means, at least basic skills in German and a health insurance policy. For further details please contact your German Embassy or Consulate.
The procedure is as follows:
Step 1: Apply at the Studienkolleg for validation
Step 2: Submit the Studienkolleg certification to the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
Foreigners holding a tourist visa may participate in the Studienkolleg Entrance Exam and the German Language Test DSH but cannot enroll at a university.
Prospective students have to register with the local registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) and the foreigners registration office (Ausländeramt) within 8 days after arriving in Germany.
Refugees may participate in the tests or enroll at the Studienkolleg only after political asylum has been granted unless they have a residence permit for the specific purpose of studying in Germany.
For the living expens in Germany a student needs at least 680,- euros a month. You need to have this money, it is not possible to earn it through student jobs.
For more details go to the website of the DAAD
Deutschen Akademischen Austausch Dienstes - DAAD
(German Academic Exchange Services)
