A student visa (§ 16b AufenthG) lets you enter Germany for a degree programme, a Studienkolleg or a preparatory language course. You apply at the German embassy or consulate responsible for where you live, and you convert it into a residence permit at the immigration office after you arrive.
What the embassy asks for
- A valid passport.
- Your admission letter (Zulassungsbescheid) from the university, or a conditional admission.
- Proof of funds: €11,904 for the first year (€992 a month), usually in a blocked account. A scholarship or a formal guarantee from someone in Germany (Verpflichtungserklärung) also works.
- Health insurance that covers you from arrival. See Health insurance in Germany.
- Your school and university certificates, and translations where the embassy asks for them.
- Proof of language skills for the programme's language.
- The APS certificate, if you're from India, China or Vietnam.
APS India
Apply for the APS certificate if you studied in India. China and Vietnam have their own APS offices.
Go to APS IndiaThe order that works
- 1
Get admitted
Apply directly to the university or through uni-assist. Some programmes need an APS certificate before they'll consider you.
- 2
Book the visa appointment
Do this as soon as you have admission. Waiting times vary by country and can be long in peak months.
- 3
Open and fund the blocked account
Providers confirm the deposit within days. The embassy asks for that confirmation.
- 4
Arrange health insurance
Travel or incoming-student insurance covers the visa application and your first weeks. Public student insurance starts once you enrol.
- 5
Apply and attend the appointment
Upload your documents through the Consular Services Portal where it's available, then attend for fingerprints and the fee.
After you arrive
- Register your address within 14 days. See How Anmeldung works.
- Enrol at the university and switch to public student health insurance.
- Book the immigration office appointment before your visa expires. See Your residence permit appointment.
- You can work 140 full days or 280 half days a year. See Working while you study.
Track Visa in HomeSettled
HomeSettled counts back from your arrival date and tells you when to book the embassy appointment and fund the blocked account.
Sources
Rules and amounts change. Check the official source before you rely on a figure.