{"about":"Student visa facts for Germany, as read on official pages. Each statement names its source and the day it was checked. Information, not legal advice; the visa authority decides.","publisher":"ForiForeign","page":"https://foriforeign.com/study-in/de/student-visa","destination":{"code":"DE","name":"Germany"},"visa":"National visa for study (Section 16b Residence Act)","authority":"Federal Foreign Office (German missions abroad) and local Foreigners Authority (Auslaenderbehoerde)","official_portal":"https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence","last_checked":"2026-10-06","facts":[{"key":"admission_document","label":"The admission document you need first","text":"Proof of admission to the study course or preparatory college, including the language of instruction.","source_url":"https://www.germany.info/resource/blob/2435500/d4beca8da37c3570d38b2bf5e9bdd64c/study-data.pdf","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"documents","label":"Documents the official page lists","text":"","source_url":"https://www.germany.info/resource/blob/2435500/d4beca8da37c3570d38b2bf5e9bdd64c/study-data.pdf","checked_at":"2026-09-15","list":["National visa application form and declarations","Biometric passport photo","Passport valid beyond intended stay","Admission letter","CV and motivation letter","Previous degrees, transcripts and school certificates","Language certificate","Proof of financial means (blocked account confirmation)","Proof of tuition payment if applicable","Health insurance"]},{"key":"application_fee","label":"What the application costs","text":"National visa fee is EUR 75; missions may collect it in local currency.","source_url":"https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/215870-215870","checked_at":"2026-09-15","amount":75,"currency":"EUR"},{"key":"health","label":"Health insurance","text":"Health cover needed at entry; if entering before statutory student insurance starts, private travel insurance with at least EUR 30,000 coverage.","source_url":"https://www.germany.info/resource/blob/2435500/d4beca8da37c3570d38b2bf5e9bdd64c/study-data.pdf","checked_at":"2026-09-15","amount":30000,"currency":"EUR","period":"minimum coverage (travel insurance until statutory cover begins)"},{"key":"language","label":"Language","text":"Proof of language skills in the language of instruction; without a preparatory language course, normally at least B2.","source_url":"https://www.germany.info/resource/blob/2435500/d4beca8da37c3570d38b2bf5e9bdd64c/study-data.pdf","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"where_to_apply","label":"Where you apply","text":"Apply to the German mission (embassy/consulate) before travel; many missions take student applications through the online Consular Services Portal, with an in-person appointment.","source_url":"https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/buergerservice/faq/-/606848","checked_at":"2026-09-15","mode":"mixed"},{"key":"biometrics","label":"Fingerprints and photo","text":"Applicants give fingerprints and a photo when submitting in person.","source_url":"https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/215870-215870","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"processing_time","label":"How long the decision takes","text":"Several weeks, in individual cases months.","source_url":"https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/buergerservice/faq/-/606848","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"work_rights","label":"Working while you study","text":"Student jobs up to 20 hours per week are allowed; after graduation there is time to look for a job (up to 18 months).","source_url":"https://www.germany.info/resource/blob/2435500/d4beca8da37c3570d38b2bf5e9bdd64c/study-data.pdf","checked_at":"2026-09-15"},{"key":"on_arrival","label":"After you arrive","text":"Register on arrival; the final residence permit is issued by the Foreigners Authority in Germany.","source_url":"https://www.germany.info/us-en/service/visa/study-visa-916776","checked_at":"2026-09-15"}],"fees":[{"kind":"government_fee","label":"Visa fee (government)","amount":75,"currency":"EUR","period":null,"up_to":false,"text":"National visa fee is EUR 75; missions may collect it in local currency.","source_url":"https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/215870-215870","checked_at":"2026-09-15"}],"how_to_apply":[{"key":"how_application","label":"How the application is lodged","text":"Apply for the national study visa online in the Consular Services Portal by entering your details and uploading documents, then attend an in-person appointment at the mission or its external service provider.","source_url":"https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/consular-services-portal","checked_at":"2026-10-06","portal_url":"https://digital.diplo.de/studium","portal_name":"Consular Services Portal (Auslandsportal) of the Federal Foreign Office","form_name":"National visa for study (online application)"},{"key":"how_payment","label":"How the fee is paid","text":"The visa fee is paid in person at the appointment at the German mission or the external service provider, when biometrics are taken.","source_url":"https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/consular-services-portal","checked_at":"2026-10-06"},{"key":"how_interview","label":"Interview","text":"An in-person appointment at the mission or service provider is required to show original documents, give fingerprints and a photo and pay the fee; it is booked through the portal after the online pre-check.","source_url":"https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/consular-services-portal","checked_at":"2026-10-06"},{"key":"how_tracking","label":"Following your application","text":"You follow the application status online in your Consular Services Portal user account.","source_url":"https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/consular-services-portal","checked_at":"2026-10-06","tracking_url":"https://digital.diplo.de/visa"},{"key":"how_processing_time","label":"Processing time, as the application page states it","text":"National (long stay) visa applications may take several months to process, depending on the purpose of stay; individual missions may publish their own estimates.","source_url":"https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/215870-215870","checked_at":"2026-10-06"},{"key":"how_decision_and_passport","label":"The decision and your passport","text":"When a decision is made you are notified of the next steps through your portal user account; the mission then tells you how the visa is issued and the passport returned.","source_url":"https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/consular-services-portal","checked_at":"2026-10-06"},{"key":"how_additional_documents","label":"If more documents are asked for","text":"If documents are missing or do not meet the requirements, the mission asks you to upload the missing or corrected documents in the portal.","source_url":"https://uk.diplo.de/uk-en/02/visa/university-studies-2449178","checked_at":"2026-10-06"}],"steps":[{"n":1,"title":"Get admission","detail":"Obtain admission from a German university or preparatory college (Studienkolleg).","source_url":"https://www.germany.info/resource/blob/2435500/d4beca8da37c3570d38b2bf5e9bdd64c/study-data.pdf"},{"n":2,"title":"Secure funds","detail":"Open a blocked account (or other accepted proof) covering one year before applying for the visa.","source_url":"https://www.germany.info/resource/blob/2435500/d4beca8da37c3570d38b2bf5e9bdd64c/study-data.pdf"},{"n":3,"title":"Arrange health insurance","detail":"Hold travel health insurance from entry until statutory student insurance starts.","source_url":"https://www.germany.info/resource/blob/2435500/d4beca8da37c3570d38b2bf5e9bdd64c/study-data.pdf"},{"n":4,"title":"Apply to the German mission","detail":"Submit the national visa application to the German mission abroad before travelling; many missions use the Consular Services Portal.","source_url":"https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/buergerservice/faq/-/606848"},{"n":5,"title":"Appointment, biometrics and fee","detail":"Attend in person, give fingerprints and photo, and pay the fee.","source_url":"https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/215870-215870"},{"n":6,"title":"Wait for decision","detail":"Processing can take several weeks or months.","source_url":"https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/buergerservice/faq/-/606848"},{"n":7,"title":"Register and get residence permit","detail":"After arrival, register and obtain the residence permit from the Foreigners Authority.","source_url":"https://www.germany.info/us-en/service/visa/study-visa-916776"}],"not_stated_on_the_official_pages":["the amount of money to show","a police certificate","a medical examination"],"applicant_country_pages":[{"country":"PK","name":"Pakistan","page":"https://foriforeign.com/study-in/de/student-visa/from/pakistan"}]}