Study in Germany with a student visa

If you are a visa national and you wish to study in Germany, you will need to obtain a student visa.

A visa for the purpose of studying in Germany is a residence permit under Section 16b of the Residence Act. It is also valid for preparatory measures prior to enrolment in higher education, such as language courses, preparatory courses for university admission or similar institutions, or doctoral studies at a German university.

Eligibility requirements

In order to apply for a student visa to study in Germany, you must:

• Have been admitted to a state-recognised higher education institution in Germany
• Be able to prove that you can cover your living costs for the duration of your study program. You can prove that you have sufficient funds through a blocked bank account (with a minimum of €11,208 per year as of 2024 and access to no more than 934 Euros per month), a scholarship or a declaration of commitment.
• Some programs require a certain level of language proficiency, usually level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). You may be required to evidence your language skills to the German embassy or consulate.

Opportunities of a student visa

Residence permits for study purposes are usually issued for an initial period of two years. If you have not obtained your degree within this period, you can request to have your residence permit renewed for a further two years.

Alongside your studies at university, you can work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per year. There are no restrictions on salary or the type of employment you can undertake during this time.

International students should note that you can work up to 20 hours per week while studying but if you exceed this, you’ll be required to pay into the German social security system, and there could be a negative impact on your studies.

Can I stay in Germany after I have graduated?

Yes, you can extend your stay in Germany by applying for a residence permit for jobseekers. This residence permit is issued for up to 18 months to ensure you will have enough time to find a skilled employment in Germany. You can work in any occupation while looking for skilled employment.

When you have a job offer, you can apply to convert your residence permit for study purposes into a residence permit for skilled workers or an EU Blue Card.

Support with your German visa application

If you are looking to relocate to Germany for study or work purposes and require support with the visa process, Smith Stone Walters can help.

Our German immigration experts based in Frankfurt can help assess your eligibility for various routes and support with the preparation and submission of your visa application. To speak to an advisor, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: In accordance with the German law governing legal advice and services (RDG, section 2 subsection 1) our services do not include any legal advice.