Residence permit for the purpose of full-time studies

A foreign student is granted a residence permit for full-time studies at a state-recognised university or a comparable educational institution in Germany.

The purpose of stay for the studies also includes preparatory measures and the completion of a compulsory internship. Preparatory measures for the studies are
– attending a preparatory language course, if admission to the course of study is tied to attending a preparatory language course, and
– attending a preparatory college or comparable institution.
A residence permit cannot be issued for an intensive language course to learn a foreign language (e.g. English). This also applies if the desired course of study is only offered in this foreign language.

The residence permit is generally granted and extended for two years. It entitles the holder to work for a total of 140 full work days in a calendar year. Self-employment is also permitted as a secondary occupation (see section “More information”).

Procedure
1. Carry out the online application “Application for a residence permit for language and study purposes”
  • Please have all the necessary documents ready for this in PDF format if possible. However, you can also still photograph and upload the documents during the application process using your smartphone or tablet. The following file formats are accepted: PDF, JPG, JPEG, and PNG. The total size of your files must not exceed 50 MB. A single file must not exceed 5 MB in size.
  • Before you can send off the application, you need to pay the service fee.
  • At the end you will receive a PDF document to confirm your application. This document will certify that your current residence title (national D visa or residence permit) remains valid in the federal territory beyond the previous validity date. (This does not apply if you hold a Schengen visa (C visa) for a short-term stay).
  • The following applies to nationals of the beneficiary countries under Section 41 of the Ordinance Govering Residence (see section “More information”): Did you arrive in Germany fewer than 91 days ago and are now applying for a residence permit for the first time? Then your residence in Germany is considered lawful until a decision is made on your application. This means that you can begin your studies or the preparatory measures for your studies. However, you are not yet permitted to start work.
  • Please therefore make sure to save this document and print a copy if possible.
  • Note: Do your spouse and child live with you in Berlin and need a residence permit? Then please do not submit a separate application for them. Simply enter your family members in the spaces provided in the online application. The Berlin Immigration Office will contact you regarding residence permits for your family members.
2. Once you have carried out the online application “Application for a residence permit for language and study purposes”, we will check it and then contact you as soon as possible. Where necessary, we will request further documents.

3. If your application is considered to be successful, you will be given an appointment for an in-person interview. Please bring the originals of all the necessary documents with you to this appointment.

Sie können diese Dienstleistung auch online in Anspruch nehmen

Online processing

Prerequisites

  • Study place
    Enrolment or conditional admission to the course of study is required for the granting of a residence permit.
  • Secured livelihood
    Sufficient funds to secure your livelihood, including adequate health insurance coverage, are required. Sufficient funds are available if they correspond to the maximum BAföG funding rate.
    For a stay for study purposes, a monthly amount of 934.00 euros must be available, i.e. 11,208.00 euros per year (current value for the year 2024).
  • Adequate health insurance coverage
    You have health insurance in Germany, either in the statutory health insurance system or a comparable private health insurance.
    Foreign health insurance is not sufficient. For more information, please read the leaflet.
  • Main residence in Berlin
    You live in Berlin. A second residence in Berlin is not sufficient.
  • Current email address
    The Berlin Immigration Office will contact you via your current email address. Please also check your spam folder regularly.
  • For the online application: Consent to the electronic payment process
    The following methods of payment are available to you:
    • Credit card (Visa, Mastercard)
    • Paypal

Documents required

  • Application for a residence permit for language and study purposes
    only possible online
    • You will receive a PDF document to confirm your application. This document will certify that your current residence title (national D visa or residence permit) remains valid in the federal territory beyond the previous validity date. (This does not apply if you hold a Schengen visa (C visa) for a short-term stay).
    • The following applies to nationals of the beneficiary countries under Section 41 of the Ordinance Govering Residence (see section “More information”): Did you arrive in Germany fewer than 91 days ago and are now applying for a residence permit for the first time? Then your residence in Germany is considered lawful until a decision is made on your application. This means that you can begin your studies or the preparatory measures for your studies. However, you are not yet permitted to start work.
    • Please therefore make sure to save this document and print a copy if possible.
  • In the case of an application being filed by an authorised representative: power of attorney stating the subject matter of the procedure
  • Passport copies (in color)
    Copies of the following pages of your passport are required:
    • always: data pages (with your photo and personal data)
    • if you have entered the country and are applying for a residence permit for the first time, also: entry stamp, as well as visa for entry or residence title for another EU Member state in your passport (if you have these)
  • If you already have a residence permit for the purpose of full-time studies or another German residence title: a copy of your residence title
  • Proof of health insurance in Germany
    • for statutory health insurance: electronic health card with photo or an up-to-date confirmation of health insurance
    • for private health insurance: certificate from the insurance company that states the type, scope and duration of the insurance. Please tell your insurance company that you need the certificate for a residence permit for the purpose of full-time studies.
  • Proof of your residence in Berlin
    • Certificate of registration at the main residence (Melde-Bestätigung) or
    • lease and written confirmation of occupancy from the landlord (Wohnungsgeber-Bestätigung)
    More on this topic in the section "More information"
  • Proof of livelihood
    • For the initial issue: e.g. blocked account (Sperrkonto) at a German Bank / submission of a declaration of commitment by a third party on an official form / scholarship / notarized declaration from parents securing the livelihood for the duration of the studies with proof of the income of the parents in the last six months / employment contract for a part-time job
    • For the extension: bank statements of the last six months, proof of other income
  • Certificate of enrolment or admission to the course of study
  • For the extension of a residence permit for study purposes: performance overview or study forecast from your university
  • If you are taking a language course as preparation for your studies: university entrance qualification (Hoschulzugangsberechtigung - HZB)
    This will involve either a German “Abitur” certificate or an international school-leaving certificate.
  • If you are taking a language course as preparation for your studies: contract with a language school

Fees

The fee must be paid before you send off the online application (by credit card or PayPal).

  • 100.00 euros for the initial granting of the residence permit
  • 93.00 euros for each extension of the residence permit
For Turkish nationals (both for the initial grant and for the extension):
  • 22.80 euro: up to the age of 24
  • 37.00 euro: as from the age of 24
In the case of a scholarship from German public funds, a German foundation or a programme financed with EU funds, the fee paid in the online application will generally be refunded after the application has been processed.

Legal basis

Average time to process request

  • You will receive an appointment for an interview if your application is reviewed positively.
  • At the appointment, you will receive written confirmation of lawful residence until issue of the appointed residence title. The extent to which you are permitted to work will also be stated in this.
  • Following the interview, it will take around 4 weeks until the residence permit is issued as an electronic residence title and can be picked up.

More information

Hinweise zur Zuständigkeit

This service can only be taken advantage of in the Berlin Immigration Office (Landesamt für Einwanderung – LEA) at Keplerstrasse.

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