How do I get a student visa for Germany?
The short answer: If you are not from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, you usually apply for a national visa for study at the German mission in your country before you travel [1] [2]. The fee is 75 euros [1]. In Germany you then get a residence permit for study from the foreigners authority, usually for two years at a time [3] [4].
How does the application work?
- You apply at the German embassy or consulate responsible for the place where you live [1].
- Visas for study can generally be applied for online in the Consular Services Portal. If your mission does not offer this yet, you book an appointment there [1].
- The mission asks the foreigners authority in your university town for its approval. Only then can the visa be issued [2].
- Do not come on a tourist visa. It cannot be converted into a student visa later [5].
Which documents do I need?
Your German mission publishes the exact list. The German embassy in Beirut, for example, asks for these documents [6].
- Passport and biometric photo.
- Admission letter from the university or the Studienkolleg.
- Proof of language skills at the level named in your admission.
- Proof of financing, usually a blocked account with 11,904 euros.
- School leaving certificate or degree with transcript, translated.
- Letter of motivation and CV.
- If you went to school or university in China, India or Vietnam, you also need an APS certificate [7].
Who does not need a visa?
- Citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland enter with an ID card or passport and then register their address [5].
- Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the USA can enter without a visa. They apply for the residence permit in Germany within 90 days [8].
- The same applies to citizens of Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco and San Marino, as long as they do not plan to work [8].
What happens after I arrive?
- Register your address within two weeks, see Anmeldung in Germany.
- Apply for the residence permit for study at the foreigners authority where you live [4].
- It is usually issued for two years and for at least one year. It is extended as long as you can finish your degree in a reasonable time [3].
Frequently asked questions
Can I come to Germany to apply for a study place first?
Where do I find my foreigners authority?
The search of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees finds the authority for your town. It is called BAMF-NAvI and is in German [11].
Sources
- Federal Foreign Office, visa (in German), as of 12 August 2026, retrieved 15 October 2026. https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/service/visa-und-aufenthalt/visa-207794
- Federal Foreign Office, FAQ on the student visa procedure, retrieved 15 October 2026. https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/buergerservice/faq/08-studentenvisum-606690
- Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), section 16b, retrieved 15 October 2026. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__16b.html
- DAAD, registering in Germany, retrieved 15 October 2026. https://www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/living-in-germany/registering/
- DAAD, entry and visa, retrieved 15 October 2026. https://www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/living-in-germany/visa/
- German Embassy Beirut, visa for study (in German), as of 2 February 2026, retrieved 15 October 2026. https://beirut.diplo.de/lb-de/service/05-visaeinreise/2543980-2543980
- German Embassy Doha, national visas and APS, retrieved 15 October 2026. https://doha.diplo.de/qa-en/service/visa/nationale-visa/2583162-2583162
- Residence Ordinance (Aufenthaltsverordnung), section 41, retrieved 15 October 2026. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__41.html
- Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), section 17, retrieved 15 October 2026. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__17.html
- Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), section 2 (3), retrieved 15 October 2026. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__2.html
- Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, BAMF-NAvI authority search (in German), retrieved 15 October 2026. https://bamf-navi.bamf.de/de/Themen/Behoerden/
The ClioAI editorial team · Published 15 October 2026 · Last checked 15 October 2026
This text was written with AI assistance and reviewed by the ClioAI editorial team. How our texts are made (in German). Spotted a mistake? Write to kontakt@getclio.ai.
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This page gives a general overview and is not legal advice. Only the requirements of your German mission abroad and of the foreigners authority are binding.
