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For students there are two different types of visa, which are important. On the one hand there is the prospective student visa („Visum zur Studienbewerbung“) and on the other hand the student visa („Visum zu Studienzwecken“). The type of visa you need to apply for depends on whether you have already received your notification of admission from a German university. You should not enter Germany as tourist. A tourist visa cannot be converted to a student visa or prospective student visa.
The prospective student visa:
This visa meets the requirements for admission to a German higher education institution and you should apply for it if you have not yet received a notification of admission to a university or foundation course. It is valid for three months and can be extended by up to six months if you need more time. If you are admitted to a higher education institution or foundation course during this period, you can apply for a student residence permit.
The student visa:
If you already have your notification of admission to university or a foundation course, you should apply for a visa for study purposes. This student visa is valid for three months, in which you have to apply for an extended residence permit at the Alien Registration Office in your university town.
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After obtaining the visa and moving to Germany there are some more steps that need to be accomplished. After finding accommodation in Germany, you need to register with the local residents' registration office. In Berlin, the responsible offices are the Bürgerämter. You should register within one or two weeks (varies depending on the requirements of the local residents' registration office), or you could have to pay an administrative fine (Bußgeld). In Berlin, it frequently takes longer than one or two weeks to get an appointment for the registration. The important thing is that you booked an appointment within the first two weeks. You can arrange an appointment online.
Documents for the registration at the Bürgeramt:
- a passport (possibly with visa) or personal identification card and
- a completed and signed housing confirmation from your landlord,
- a registration form from the Bürgeramt
- possibly marriage certificate and possibly birth certificates of children as originals and an officially verified translation (if needed)
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If you are not a citizen of a country from the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland and would like to study in Germany for more than 90 days, you also have to go to the foreigners’ registration office in the city where you are studying. In Berlin, the responsible office is the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA). You have to apply for your residence permit at the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA) within the first three months.
Documents required
- Valid passport
- 1 current biometric photo: 35mm x 45mm, frontal shot with neutral facial expression and closed mouth, looking straight into the camera, light background
- Form "Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels" (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit) only required for first-time application
- Proof of secure livelihood
- For the initial issue: e.g. blocked account (Sperrkonto) at a German bank with 9,936 euros / submission of a declaration of commitment by a third party on an official form / scholarship / notarized declaration from parents securing the livelihood for the duration of the studies with proof of the income of the parents in the last six months
- For the extension: bank statements of the last six months
- Health insurance
- Proof of a secure livelihood must also include sufficient health insurance. Those with statutory health insurance are sufficiently insured. Those with private health insurance must consider the type and extent of their health insurance. For more information, please read the leaflet "Information on adequate health insurance".
- Certificate of enrolment or conditional approval for studying
- Proof of main residence in Berlin
- Certificate of registration at the main residence or
- lease and written confirmation of occupancy from the landlord
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