Residence permit; application for the purpose of studying

A foreign student may be granted a residence permit for the purpose of studying at a state university, a state-recognized university or comparable educational institution in Germany.

The studies may be conducted at state or state-recognized higher education institutions (universities, teacher training colleges, art colleges and universities of applied sciences) or comparable educational institutions, at vocational academies and at state or state-recognized preparatory colleges.

The main purpose of the stay must be to study. Evening, weekend or correspondence courses, for example, do not meet these requirements.

• The purpose of residence, i.e. studying, includes all training phases associated with studying as well as preparatory measures and the completion of a compulsory internship. Pre-study measures include attending a preparatory language course if the foreign national has been admitted to a full-time course of study and admission is conditional on attending a preparatory language course, and attending a preparatory college or comparable institution if proof of acceptance to a preparatory college or comparable institution is provided.
• Full-time studies also include the necessary preparatory courses and compulsory internships as well as postgraduate courses such as Master's and doctoral programs and
• subsequent practical activities, provided they are part of the prescribed course of study or serve to fully achieve the educational objective.

Staying in Germany to apply for a degree

A residence permit for a maximum of nine months can also be issued for the purpose of applying to study in Germany. The prerequisite is that the applicant has the school and language requirements to take up a course of study or that these are to be acquired within the 9-month period of residence. Employment during this period is not permitted.

Gainful employment during studies

Foreign students from countries outside the European Economic Area are permitted to take up part-time student employment after commencing their studies without any time restrictions and are generally permitted to work for a maximum of 120 days or 240 half-days per calendar year. However, this does not apply to the period of a language course to prepare for studies in the first year of residence: no employment is permitted during this period, except during vacation periods.

Semesters abroad and exchange programs

For students who already have a residence permit as a student in another EU member state and wish to complete part of their studies in Germany, a German residence permit is not required for entry and residence in Germany for stays of up to 360 days. Further information on this option can be obtained from the host educational institution or the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.

Furthermore, a residence permit is issued to a student in another EU Member State in Germany if they wish to continue their studies here as part of a European Union exchange program or have already been admitted to study in the other EU Member State for a period of at least two years.

Extension of the residence permit

The residence permit only entitles the holder to study as applied for and admitted. As a rule, it is extended in each case, provided that sufficient means of subsistence for this period are proven and the regular period of study is not exceeded. Exceptions can be made if the regular period of study is exceeded as long as the student is studying properly. This is usually the case if the average duration of studies at the university in question in the respective degree program is not exceeded by more than three semesters and is confirmed by the higher education institution. In the event of a change of degree program or place of study, the residence permit will be reapplied for and issued.

In the event of an interruption, discontinuation or unsuccessful completion of studies, a residence permit can only be issued for qualified vocational training, for employment as a skilled worker or for employment with extensive practical professional knowledge.

Extension after completion of studies

After successfully completing their studies, graduates have the opportunity to look for a job appropriate to their qualifications and can stay in Germany for up to 18 months for this purpose. As soon as they have found such a job, they can be granted a residence permit for the corresponding gainful employment with the prospect of receiving a settlement permit after two years.

In order to enter Germany to study, you must have a valid visa from the German diplomatic mission abroad. This is usually issued for six months.

Further requirements include

• fulfillment of the university entrance requirements
• Proof of admission to study at a university/college or certificate of enrollment
• Proof of sufficient means of subsistence - the law provides for simplifications for the proof based on the regulations on requirements in the Federal Training Assistance Act
• Sufficient health insurance cover.

• The documents to be submitted may vary considerably.
  Erkundigen Sie sich bitte bei der Ausländerbehörde. Erforderlich sind in der aber in der Regel folgende Unterlagen:
• valid passport
• Current biometric photograph (frontal view)
• Proof of secure livelihood
• Certificate of enrollment
• Proof of health insurance cover
• Further documents if necessary

Issue:

• Period of validity up to one year: 100 Euro
• Period of validity of more than one year: 100 Euro

Extension:

• up to three months: 96 euros
• for more than three months: 93 euros