Study visas to Germany and their types

Updated:
05.10.2026

Germany attracts students from all over the world thanks to a wide choice of study programmes and relatively low tuition fees. If you dream of studying at a German university or college, or are planning to have your degree recognised in Germany, this opportunity can become a reality. To do this, you will need a Category D visa, which allows you to stay in the country for more than 90 days and opens doors to various educational and professional opportunities.

In the article, we will look at how to correctly apply for a student visa to Germany, what documents are required for this, and also examine the features and benefits of various types of student visas. Whether you are entering a university, planning to undergo professional training, or striving for the recognition of your diploma, the German Type D visa can be the key to your educational success.

Features of the national D-visa for studying in Germany

For studying in Germany, you need a “D” visa (Section 16 of the Residence Act Residence Act (AufenthG)

It allows you to stay in the country for more than 90 days.
Depending on what residence permit you receive (Aufenthaltserlaubnis), you will be able to attend school, complete vocational training and upskill, learn a new profession in Germany, and participate in language courses.
The German D visa is suitable for you if you are a university applicant in Germany or want to work in your field and are interested in having your degree recognised in Germany.

Depending on the type, German student visas have their own specific features:

you can study in Germany
allow attendance at language courses or a German school
you can come to Germany to study at a university
A student visa allows you to come to the country to have your qualification recognised
Students are permitted to study under the dual vocational training system (Ausbildung)
in Germany you can do an internship
moonlighting may also be permitted

Main documents for studying in Germany

Please check the full list of documents with your consulate

You can find out which documents are required for student visas to Germany at the German embassy or consulate in your home country. You can also apply for a Type D visa there. The list of documents for studying in Germany may vary depending on the country of application. All documents in foreign languages must be translated into German.

The following documents are essential for a German student visa:

German health insurance;
proof of financial support for the duration of studies;
a certain level of language proficiency, at which the training is to take place.

The processing time for a student visa application for Germany is approximately 6–8 weeks (it may take longer).

You can compare and arrange medical insurance suitable for any type of visa via the link.

More details

National study visas and the requirements for them

1. Student visa for Germany § 16b

Studium § 16b — a student visa for studying at a higher education institution (Universität, Hochschule), studying at a preparatory college (Studienkolleg), a language course as part of preparatory training, or taking an entrance examination for the college. In other words, this visa will give you the opportunity to obtain higher education in Germany.

Required documents for studying at a German university:

Statement.
2 biometric photographs.
Biometric international passport.
Civil passport.
Confirmation from an educational institution in Germany (admission letter, invitation from a supervisor).
Educational documents.
University enrolment certificate, if you are already studying.
Cover letter.
Curriculum Vitae.
Proof of language proficiency required for the specific degree programme (admission document containing information on the sufficiency of the language level; invitation to an intensive preparatory language course; certificate of German language proficiency at level B2 or higher).
Health insurance policy.
Proof of funding of €934 per month (€11,208 per year). Proof of funding can be the opening of a blocked account, a formal obligation (declaration of commitment) or a scholarship of €934 per month.
For applicants who have not yet turned 18, a notarised parental or guardian consent and a birth certificate will also be required.

A residence permit entitles you to carry out work for up to 140 working days a year, as well as to take on part-time student work.

A German student visa is issued for a minimum of 1 year. Extension is possible.

2. Visa for obtaining a new vocational qualification in Germany Section 16a

Training / Further Education Section 16a — living in Germany for the purpose of continuing professional training or if you want to learn a new trade in Germany.

Statement.
2 biometric photographs.
Biometric international passport.
Civil passport.
Professional Training Contract (Ausbildungsvertrag/Weiterbildungsvertrag).
Educational documents.
University enrolment certificate, if you are already studying.
Cover letter.
Curriculum Vitae.
Proficiency in German at a minimum of B1 level (this can be proven by confirmation from the company or vocational school where the training will take place that you have a sufficient level of German, or confirmation of enrolment in a language course for the purpose of preparing for further vocational training, or a language certificate).
Health insurance policy.
Confirmation of funding of 927 euros per month for the entire duration of your studies. If you are attending courses rather than doing a company internship, you will need to confirm the availability of 1027 euros per month.
If you are planning to study for an Ausbildung, you will need a vocational training contract, a training plan, proof of German language skills at a minimum level of B1 (a certificate or confirmation from the German company where you will be completing your training that you possess a sufficient level of German language skills, or you must have confirmation of enrolment in language courses that will prepare you for further vocational training in German).
If you are planning further training (Weiterbildung), you should provide the training contract from Germany (company address, company name, contact person, duration and goals of the further training, training plan, proof of the level of proficiency in the language in which the training will take place).
For applicants who have not yet turned 18, a notarised parental or guardian consent and a birth certificate will also be required.

3. Visa for prospective students § 17

§ 17 Search for a training place or university place — searching for a study place at German universities or a place for vocational training.

List of documents for finding a study place in Germany:

Statement.
2 biometric photographs.
Biometric international passport.
Civil passport.
Maximum age at the time of document submission is 35 years.
Educational documents.
Cover letter.
Curriculum Vitae.
Proof of sufficient knowledge of the language of instruction by providing a language certificate at a minimum of B2 level.
Medical insurance policy for the entire duration of stay.
Proof of sufficient financial means for the entire duration of the stay in the amount of 1,027 euros per month.
For applicants applying for a visa for the purpose of seeking a vocational training place: proof of financial resources amounting to at least €6,162.
For prospective students: confirmation of sufficient funds in the amount of at least €9,243.
For applicants who have not yet turned 18, a notarised parental or guardian consent and a birth certificate will also be required.

The prospective student visa is issued for up to 9 months and allows you to work 20 hours a week if you are financially self-sufficient

For applicants applying for a visa to seek a vocational training place, the following is additionally required:

Confirmation of contacts with training and production enterprises, interview invitations, etc.
This type of visa is issued for a period of 6 months.

For applicants applying for a Prospective Student visa, the following is additionally required:

Confirmation of the fact of submitting an application for enrolment in an educational institution or confirmation from a German higher education institution / foundation course (Studienkolleg) regarding the submission of your documents (acknowledgement of receipt, preliminary decision, etc.).

4. Visa for attending a German language course (§ 16f)

Language courses Section 16f — you can come to Germany and study on German language courses.

Statement.
2 biometric photographs.
Biometric international passport.
Civil passport.
Educational documents.
Invitation from the language school (venue, duration of the courses, etc.)
Cover letter.
Curriculum Vitae.
If you already have a command of German — a certificate of proof.
Medical insurance policy for the entire duration of stay.
Proof of funding for the entire duration of stay in the amount of 1027 euros per month
Language courses are not preparation for further study or student exchange.
For applicants who have not yet turned 18, a notarised parental or guardian consent and a birth certificate will also be required.

The validity period is for the duration of the language courses. There is the right to work up to 20 hours a week.

Open a blocked bank account to prove financial support

More details

5. School education and school exchange visa (§ 16f)

School attendance section 16f — school students after grade 9 can continue their education in German schools, as well as come on exchange programmes.

Statement.
2 biometric photographs.
Biometric international passport.
Internal passport.
Birth certificate
School admission confirmation and Schulvertrag.
A certificate from the current school and a report card.
Confirmation from the host family or boarding school
Proof of German language proficiency at the level required for study.
Medical insurance policy for the entire duration of stay.
Where available, confirmation of tuition fee payment.
For applicants who have not yet reached the age of 18, a notarised consent from their parents or guardians will also be required.

What to do after you arrive in Germany

You have 3 months to register with the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde). To do this, you submit documents for a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis).

the above-mentioned documents
residential tenancy agreement
registration

This must be done at your place of residence.

May your wish to come to Germany for your studies come true. May obtaining a German visa be a quick and easy process for you. And may your studies at a German university, college or school become a reality and open up career opportunities for you in Germany.