Studienkolleg

Visas for University Studies

This section provides information about visas for international students according to country and/ or region.

International students from the EU, EEA or Switzerland
You do not need a visa to enter Germany. However, after your arrival in Germany you must register at the Residents' Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt).

International students from countries that do not require a visa to enter Germany
Please check the website of the German Foreign Office to see if your home country is one of the countries from which it is possible to study in Germany without a visa. Once you have arrived in Germany and have found a place to live, you will need to register at the Residents' Registration Office and apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners' Registration Office.

International students from countries with visa requirements for studies
Students from other countries are subject to visa requirements. You must apply for a visa in your home country before you travel to Germany. Allow enough time to apply for the visa, as it can take several months for the visa to be issued.
Check the website of the German Foreign Office for current visa requirements for all countries. Contact the German embassy or consulate in your home country for more information. The addresses of the German missions abroad can be found on the website of the German Foreign Office.

The visa you need to apply for depends, among other things, on whether or not you already have a permit. Do not enter the country as a tourist under any circumstances! A tourist visa cannot be subsequently converted into a student visa, which is necessary to apply and study in Germany.

There are three types of student visas:

• Language course visa for educational activities- issued for between 3 - 12 months to attend German courses.
• Study application visa: is for individuals who want to study in Germany but are still trying to find the right program, or have not yet received a confirmation letter from their target university. This visa is valid for three months and gives you the opportunity to meet the requirements for admission (such as successfully passing the entrance test). If the duration is not long enough, the visa can be extended for a maximum of six months. If you are admitted to the Studienkolleg during this time, you can apply for a residence permit for study purposes.
• Visa for study purposes: This is for students who have already been admitted to a German university. This visa is usually issued for three months. During these three months, you must apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners' Registration Office.

Required Documents for Visa Applications

You can find out which documents you need from your German embassy or consulate abroad. Normally you will need the following:

• Admission or entrance qualification (Zeugnisanerkennung) for a degree program at a German institut of higher learning
• Valid passport
• Proof of health insurance
• Proof of financial means
• Proof of any German language proficiency
• Possibly a health certificate