Students must know about the Student Visas or available Visa options for Germany

With its wide range of study programmes and low tuition fees, Germany attracts many international students every year. Find out how to apply for a student visa here.

Are you interested in studying in Germany? A German degree opens many doors. There is a wide range of international study programmes and the fees are low. With this in mind, you can obtain a visa for the purpose of studying in Germany. A residence permit under Section 16b of the Residence Act (AufenthG) is also valid for preparatory measures prior to enrolment in higher education, such as language courses, preparatory courses for university admission or similar institutions, or doctoral studies at a German university.

To find out if you need a visa to enter Germany, please refer to the “Do I need a visa?” section.

What are the requirements to receive a visa for studying?

• You have been admitted to a state-recognised higher education institution in Germany. To find out how to apply for a place on a study programme in Germany, see the “Studies in Germany” section.


• You are able to cover your living costs for the duration of your study programme. You can prove that you have sufficient funds through a blocked bank account (with a minimum of €11,208 per year as of 2024), a scholarship or a declaration of commitment.


• Some programmes require a certain level of language proficiency, usually level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). You must prove your language skills to the German embassy or consulate.

Do you meet the above requirements? Then find out about how the entry and visa process works.

What opportunities does a student visa offer?

Residence permits for study purposes are usually issued for an initial period of two years. If you have not obtained your degree within this period, you can request to have your residence permit renewed for a further two years.

During your time at university, you can work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per year, or up to 20 hours per week. You can take part-time student jobs for an unlimited period.

Staying in Germany after graduation

After successfully completing your degree, you can extend your stay in Germany by applying for a residence permit for jobseekers under Section 20 (1) No. 1 of the Residence Act (AufenthG). The residence permit is issued for up to 18 months as a means of finding skilled employment in Germany. You can work in any occupation while looking for skilled employment. As soon as you have found a qualified employment position, you can apply to convert your residence permit for study purposes into a residence permit for skilled workers or an EU Blue Card. You can find out more about the opportunities available to you while you study in Germany and after you graduate in the “Prospects after graduation” section.

Graduates of German higher education institutions can apply for a settlement permit (Section 18c (1) sentence 2 of the Residence Act [AufenthG]) after working in Germany for more than two years.

Mobility arrangements for international students

Do you have a student visa from another EU country and would like to study in Germany for a while? If your stay in Germany does not exceed 360 days, you do not need a residence title for Germany. However, the host educational institution in Germany must inform the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and the competent authority in the other EU Member State about your intended study period in Germany. There are a number of documents that need to be submitted to the authorities when they are notified of your plans to study abroad.

At a glance: Visa for studying

From the preparations to the application forms: This step-by-step guide shows you how to get a visa for studying.

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Visa for seeking a place in higher education

Have you decided to study in Germany but have not yet been admitted to a higher education institution? If you meet certain requirements, you may be entitled to enter Germany on a visa for seeking a place in higher education under Section 17 (2) of the Residence Act (AufenthG).

To find out if you need a visa to enter Germany, please refer to the “Do I need a visa?” section.

What are the requirements for a visa for seeking a place in higher education?

• You can prove that you have a school-leaving certificate that entitles you to study at a German higher education institution or attend a preparatory course for university admission.


• You meet the language requirements for your chosen study programme. Contact your local German embassy or consulate to find out which documents are required.


• You can cover your living costs for the entire duration of your stay. You can prove this by opening a blocked bank account with a minimum of €1,027 per month (in 2024) or by submitting a declaration of commitment.

Do you meet the above requirements? Then find out about how the entry and visa process works.

What opportunities does a visa for the purpose of seeking a place in higher education?

A visa or residence permit for the purpose of seeking a place in higher education allows you to stay in Germany for up to nine months. During this time, you can apply for a place at a university or for a preparatory measure prior to enrolment in higher education. Examples of preparatory measures include attending a language course or a preparatory course for university admission. A residence permit for seeking a place in higher education cannot be renewed for the same purpose.

During this time, you are permitted to work up to 20 hours a week. You also have the opportunity to complete up to two weeks of trial work. This means that you can earn some money during your stay for seeking a place in higher education.

Have you been admitted to a higher education institution in Germany or to a preparatory course for university admission? Then you can apply to your local foreigners authority for a residence permit for the purpose of studying under Section 16b of the Residence Act (AufenthG).

BUSINESSINDIA

Germany targeting Indian students to address labour shortages

Pooja Yadav04/22/2024April 22, 2024

To keep its engineering and IT sectors afloat, Germany is looking to tap into international student talent.

Germany is grappling with a critical labor shortage and aging population, with projections indicating a deficit of 7 million skilled workers by 2035.

With some 700,000 vacancies currently unfilled, the country's economic growth potential has dropped to about 0.7% now from around 2% in the 1980s. It's set to fall further to 0.5% if the country fails to resolve this problem, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck has said, stressing the importance of migration in bridging this widening gap.

Engaging the Indian student population in the German workforce may be part of the solution.

Tapping into the international student talent pool

According to the Federal Statistical Office, there are around 43,000 Indian students enrolled in German universities.

International students make up around 14% of all students in the country, according to Michael Flacke, spokesperson for the German Academic Exchange Service. International students are often the "so-called ideal immigrants" because they have already lived in Germany and learned the language.

New Immigration German Rules w.e.f 1st jan ,2024.

MIGRATIONGERMANY

Changes to Germany's skilled immigration rules take effect

03/01/2024March 1, 2024

Germany urgently needs skilled workers from abroad. Now the rules for immigrants from non-EU countries are being introduced step by step, with some provisions coming into effect on March 1, 2024. Here's an overview.

Germany urgently needing skilled workers was also a topic for Chancellor Olaf Scholz on a visit to India

German employers are short of hundreds of thousands of workers. IT and technology, medical care, contractor fields, technology and logistics are among the hardest hit sectors.

The reworked Skilled Immigration Act, which Germany's parliament, the Bundestag, passed in the summer, aims to quickly lower the barriers to immigration of skilled workers from countries outside the European Union.

Starting November 18, 2023, the new rules are coming into force in three stages. Details, available in German, English, French and Spanish, are available on the government website.

EU Blue Card

Starting in November 2023, more academic and similarly qualified workers from third countries have been able to come to Germany on the EU Blue Card without German language requirements.

Annual salary limits, in place to prevent wage dumping, were changed in 2024 to just under 45,300 ($49,500) for entry-level and in-demand jobs, known as "bottleneck occupations"; the cut-off for all other occupations was set at €41,042.

Such occupations now include educators and nurses.

How much immigration does Germany need?

In the IT sector, skilled workers without a university degree can also receive an EU Blue Card if they can prove that they have at least three years of relevant professional experience. Nursing assistants with less than three years of nursing training are also granted access to the German labor market.

In Germany, the Blue Card has been in place for a decade. With the lower income requirement, it will now be easier to get. Once in Germany, workers will also have more flexibility in changing careers, although regulated professions — such as law and medicine — will still require the necessary qualifications.

Right of residence, more flexibility

Skilled workers with professional or academic qualifications who meet all the requirements are now entitled to a residence permit. Previously, diplomatic missions abroad and immigration authorities had discretionary powers.

Immigration: Can Germany's new 'green card' deliver?

03:04

The Federal Employment Agency has been instructed to accelerate the approval process of prospective foreign workers. Experienced skilled workers will no longer need their qualifications recognized in Germany if they are already recognized by their country of origin and have at least two years of professional experience.

Qualifications and training

Anyone who needs to undergo training to obtain a qualification in Germany to match their equivalent foreign training can stay in Germany for up to three years and work up to 20 hours per week on the side. Part-time work will also be extended in general to students and trainees.

If employers in Germany agree, skilled workers can come directly to Germany and work while the procedure to recognize their qualifications is underway. The stay can be extended to up to three years. Prerequisites are a professional qualification of at least two years and at least an A2 level of German.

Regulatory jungle - Migrants facing German bureaucracy

12:36

Family reunification

Concerning spouses and underage children, skilled workers have to prove they can support their livelihoods, but not that they have sufficient living space. They may also bring their parents or parents-in-law.

Further changes are to come into force on June 1, 2024.

Opportunity card

A points-based "opportunity card" is set to be introduced in June for those with an equivalent foreign qualification. This will allow them to come to Germany for a year to look for work, so long as they can demonstrate financial independence. For others, a university degree or a vocational qualification of at least two years, plus either A1-level German or B2-level English, will be required.

Workers with an opportunity card may work up to 20 hours per week, including during a probation period. The opportunity card can be extended for up to two years for those who have a contract for qualified employment.