Studium | Third-country Nationals

Studies

Here you will find information on the following question:

What requirements do I have to meet in order to receive a residence permit for the purpose of studying in Germany?

Please do not forget that you always have to meet the general requirements for your stay in Germany.

Information can be found here.

Requirements for studying in Germany (§ 16b AufenthG)

Table of contents:

1.Purpose of stay

The purpose of a residence permit for studying is to give foreign students the opportunity to study and complete their studies in Germany. With a residence permit for studying abroad, foreign students can live, study and, if necessary, work in Germany. After completing your studies, the residence permit can be converted into a residence permit for job search or employment, if the requirements for this are met. The residence permit for studying allows foreign students to pursue their academic goals in Germany and to develop culturally and linguistically.

2. Requirements

Admission to the course
Certificates of previous training (diplomas) in the original language as well as a German translation
Documents to prove financial means during the study visit
Certified copy of proof of identity (identity card or passport)

3. Specifics

(1) German residence permit for students

This is the study residence permit for international students who are admitted to a German university and want to start their studies directly in a full-time course.

Students = You are studying a degree in Germany full-time (e.g. medicine, engineering, humanities).

(2) Residence permit for a German preparatory course

This gives you the opportunity to attend a German course in preparation for studying in Germany.

Preparatory course participants = You are attending a course that is expressly advertised as a preparatory course and is intended to prepare you for later studies (especially language-related). The university has admitted you to study, but has made the completion of this course a condition for admission to study at this university.

4. Legal Background

According to § 16b of the German Residence Act, the most important requirements for the granting of a residence permit for students are: (a) residence for study purposes; (b) adequate knowledge of the language in which the course is taught; (c) sufficient financial resources to finance the study visit.

However, § 16b of the German Residence Act does not only apply to full-time studies, but extends to a longer period of time, which begins with the preparation of studies in Germany.