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Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of studying

Service Description

You can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of studying if you wish to study in Germany and have been admitted to a state-recognized university or comparable educational institution in Germany. The studies must be full-time studies.

The purpose of residence of the studies also includes study-preparatory measures. Study-preparatory measures are

  • the attendance of a study-preparatory language course, if an admission to study has already been granted and the admission is bound to the attendance of a study-preparatory course and
  • the attendance of a Studienkolleg or a comparable institution, if a place is certainly available.

The residence permit for the purpose of study is a temporary residence title. It is issued for a minimum of one year and, as a rule, for a maximum of two years or for the duration of the studies if the studies last less than two years.

In case of participation in a Union or multilateral program with mobility measures (for example ERASMUS+ program of the European Union) or if an agreement between two or more higher education institutions applies to the foreigner, the residence permit is issued for a minimum of two years or for the duration of the studies if the studies last less than two years.

If you are a non-EU citizen intending to take up studies in Germany, you must in principle first apply for a student visa before entering Germany.

The residence permit for study purposes also entitles the holder to work for 90 days or 180 half-days per year and for part-time student jobs.

Foreign graduates have the possibility to extend the residence permit granted to them during their studies for up to one year in order to look for a job corresponding to their qualifications.

Process flow

The residence permit must be applied for at the aliens' registration office responsible for your place of residence. The procedure is as follows:

- Depending on the foreigners authority and your request, it may be possible to apply via the Internet. Find out whether your foreigners authority offers electronic application for the residence permit.
- If the application is only possible in person, make an appointment with the Aliens' Registration Office. During the appointment, your application will be received and your supporting documents will be checked (bring them with you to the appointment). For the production of an electronic residence permit (eAT card) your fingerprints will be taken.
- In the case of an electronic application, the Aliens' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your online application to arrange an appointment at the Aliens' Registration Office, if necessary. During the appointment, your supporting documents will be checked (bring them with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the electronic residence permit (eAT- card).
- If your application is approved, the Aliens' Registration Office will arrange for the eAT card to be produced.
- After about six to eight weeks, you can collect the eAT card from the Aliens' Registration Office.
- The eAT card must always be collected in person.
- Fees are charged for the issuance of the residence permit. The timing as well as the form of payment varies depending on the authority.

Who should I contact?

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence

The German mission abroad responsible in your home country.

Competent authority

The immigration authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.

Requirements

- You have a recognized and valid passport or passport replacement and - if required for entry - an appropriate visa.
- There is no interest in deportation against you.
- Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
- You have been admitted to a state-recognized university or a recognized educational institution in Germany.
- Your livelihood is secured for the duration of your studies.
- Depending on the requirements of your course of study, you may have to prove to the Aliens' Registration Office that you have the language skills required for your studies (usually at least level B2). No proof of language skills is required if these have already been tested by the receiving university as part of the admission decision or are to be acquired as part of a language course that prepares you for studies.

Which documents are required?

- Valid passport or passport replacement
- Current biometric photo
- Visa, if required
- Proof of livelihood (for example, scholarship certificate, letter of commitment, blocked account at a bank, proof of parents' income or similar)
- rental contract
- Proof of health insurance
- Letter of admission to study at the educational institute
- If applicable, proof of the required language skills, for example by means of suitable language certificates such as language tests of the ALTE-certified examination providers Goethe-Institut, telc GmbH, ÖSD, TestDAF, but also DSH, DSD, TOEFL, IELTS
- In case of participation in study preparation measures: Proof of admission to the Studienkolleg or to a study-preparatory language course.

  • Certificate of admission to study at the desired university.
  • Documents proving the financing during the study stay.
  • If necessary, it is also possible to apply for a so-called student applicant visa if it is not yet clear at which university you would like to study.

Details about the documents to be submitted for the visa application can usually be found easily and conveniently on the website of the responsible German mission abroad or directly there.

What are the fees?

Emission: 100,00 EUR
Payment in advance: no
Under certain circumstances, a fee reduction or fee waiver may be considered.

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

- The residence permit should be applied for at least eight weeks before the expiry of your still valid visa or residence permit.
- Action deadline: 1 month

The German mission abroad can only issue the visa after the competent foreigners authority in Germany has given its approval. Due to the required processing time, it is recommended to submit the application early, i.e. about three months before the beginning of the semester.

Processing duration

Processing Time: 6 - 8 Weeks

Legal basis

Applications / forms

An appeal against the decision of the Foreigners' Registration Office may be filed with the court specified in the decision.

Appeal

  • Forms: You can obtain forms from your foreigners authority; these may also be available online.
  • Online procedure occasionally possible
  • Written form required: yes
  • Personal appearance required: yes

The visa application form for a long-term stay (over 3 months) can be obtained free of charge by applicants from the respective mission abroad or can also be downloaded from the website of the Federal Foreign Office.

What else should I know?

- With your residence permit you are allowed to work for the purpose of studying up to 120 days or 240 half days per year or to do part-time student work. You are not allowed to work during study preparation measures in the first year, except during the vacation period.

- Foreign graduates have the possibility to extend the residence permit granted to you during your studies for up to one year in order to look for a job corresponding to their qualifications.

Nationals of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea and the United States of America may also obtain the required residence permit after entering the country. The foreigners authority of the place where the foreigner will take up residence is responsible.

Author

Ministry of the Interior and for Municipal Affairs of the State of Brandenburg.

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Technically approved by

Thuringian Ministry for Migration, Justice and Consumer Protection (TMMJV)

Professionally released on

15.12.2022

Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6Plus)

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