Germany · Student Visa
Student visa categories, eligibility, required documents, work rights, and application steps.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
For studies longer than 90 days, non-EU students need a German national (D) visa applied for at the German mission in their country. If you do not yet have a place, a prospective-student visa is available while you seek admission or complete a Studienkolleg or entrance exam. Funds are generally proved via a blocked account at an amount set annually. After arrival you register your address and convert the visa into a residence permit for study.
For studies longer than 90 days, non-EU students need a German national (D) visa for study, applied for at the German mission in your country. If you do not yet have a university place you can apply for a prospective-student visa. After arrival you register your address and obtain a residence permit for study purposes from the local Foreigners' Authority. The Federal Foreign Office and Make it in Germany are the official sources.
- A national (D) visa is required for study stays over 90 days; a prospective-student visa is available if you are still seeking a place or completing a Studienkolleg/exam.
- You generally prove funds via a blocked account; the required amount is set annually — check the current figure on the official site.
- Apply at the German embassy/consulate after receiving admission (or conditional admission); appointment slots are booked online.
- After arriving you must register your address and convert the visa into a residence permit for study purposes.
- 1
Determine which visa you need
A national (D) visa covers study stays over 90 days. If you are still seeking a place or completing a Studienkolleg or entrance exam, the prospective-student visa applies instead.
- 2
Open a blocked account for proof of funds
Funds are generally proved via a blocked account. The required amount is set annually, so check the current figure on the official site before transferring.
- 3
Book the appointment early
Appointment slots at German missions are booked online and can be scarce in peak season. Book as soon as you have, or expect, your admission.
- 4
Apply at the German mission
Apply after receiving admission or conditional admission, with your blocked-account confirmation, health insurance and academic documents.
- 5
Register your address after arrival
Germany requires address registration (Anmeldung) shortly after you move in. This is a prerequisite for most other formalities.
- 6
Convert the visa into a residence permit
Obtain a residence permit for study purposes from the local Foreigners' Authority before the entry visa expires. The visa itself is not the long-term status.
- Correct visa identified (national D or prospective-student)
- Blocked account opened at the current required amount
- Appointment booked at the German mission
- Admission or conditional admission received
- Health insurance arranged
- Address registration (Anmeldung) planned for after arrival
- Residence-permit conversion planned before the visa expires
- Federal Foreign Office — Study visa
Official German-government guide to the study (national) visa.
- Make it in Germany — Visa for studying
Official portal: study-visa types and steps.
Frequently asked questions
What if I do not have a university place yet?
A prospective-student visa is available while you are still seeking admission or completing a Studienkolleg or entrance exam. It is a distinct category from the study visa, so apply for the right one rather than waiting.
What is a blocked account and how much must it hold?
It is the standard way of proving you can support yourself: funds are deposited and released to you in monthly instalments. The required amount is set annually, so check the current figure on the official site rather than an older guide.
Is the study visa the same as a residence permit?
No. The national (D) visa gets you into Germany; once there you register your address and obtain a residence permit for study purposes from the local Foreigners' Authority. Do this before the entry visa expires.
Government portals
- Federal Government of Germany — Germany's Federal Cabinet official website — policy, legislation, news, and government programs
- Federal Office for Migration (BAMF) — German visas, EU Blue Card, asylum, integration courses, and permanent residency
- Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt) — Tax ID (IdNr) registration, tax identification lookup, withholding tax refunds — the key authority for foreign taxpayers in Germany