Visas

If you are not a citizen of a country of the European Union and plan to stay more than 90 days (per every six months), or if you intend to take a job during your stay you need in principle a visa.

If you stay no longer than 90 days and do not take a job, you need in some cases a visa depending on your country of origin. With the help of this table of the German Foreign Ministry, you can find out whether you need a visa.

Short stay visas (Type C)

Since the Visa Codex of the European Union has become effective in April 2010, visas for a stay no longer than 90 days are classified as “Kurzaufenthaltsvisa” (type C) (short stay visas).

In most cases you must apply for your visa before your entry. Citizens of some countries may apply for visas still after entry. The aforementioned table of the German Foreign Ministry will give you more details.

In principle, you must make personally the visa application with the diplomatic representation abroad which is responsible for visas. The representation which is nearest to your place of residence in your country is responsible for your visa. You find here a list of all German diplomatic representations abroad.

For a visa application you must normally present:

• a filled in and signed application form in duplicate
• three latest passport photos
• a passport whose validity exceeds that of the applied for visa by a longer period of time
• a proof about health insurance which is valid during your stay in Germany
• documents which verify how your stay is financed
• documents which verify the purpose of your stay

After registration for a language course and receipt of a deposit of 50% of the course fee, you will receive from IBH a confirmation of your registration which is recognized as a proof of the purpose of your stay.

What exactly is required, differs from country to country. Before making an application you should therefore inquire with the German representation abroad about the documents to be presented. The Internet sites of the representations abroad often contain detailed information about this item.

Visas for Germany presently cost 60 €. Upon refusal of a visa the money will not be refunded. In some cases an exemption or at least a reduction of costs is possible. See the leaflet on visa fees of the German Foreign Ministry.

To issue a visa may take several months. In the case of short stay visas however, issuing of a visa outside the main travel season usually takes no more than two weeks.

Student visas

As a citizen of one of the EWR countries you don’t need a visa to study in Germany. Member states of EWR are the countries of the European Union as well as Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

As a citizen of a third country you must usually apply for a student visa with a German representation abroad before your entry. The procedure corresponds to that for short stay visas (see above).

You need in addition

• a notice of admission of the university
• possibly proofs of entrance examinations and study certificates
• possibly a certificate of good conduct issued by the police
• possibly written statements why you wish to study in Germany
• possibly proof of sufficient living space.

If you don’t know yet at which university you will study, you may possibly apply for a “Studienbewerbervisum” (visa for a university candidate).

Citizens of one of the following countries can apply for a student visa with the responsible immigration authority also after their entry:

• Andorra
• Australia
• Canada
• Honduras
• Israel
• Japan
• Monaco
• New Zealand
• San Marino
• South Korea
• USA

Responsible is the immigration authority of the community where you will have your place of residence.

We advise you to bring to Germany all school leaving and university diplomas in the original and in certified translation.

Visas for language courses

The visa regulations for a stay which exceeds 90 days in order to take a language course correspond in principle to those for student visas.

Instead of furnishing proof with regard to university studies, you need a confirmation of registration for a language course. You obtain such a confirmation from IBH after registration for a language course and receipt of a deposit of 50% of the course fee.