Student Visa

Required Documents

• Valid Passport
  ‍Identity card, passport, children's passport for German nationals, national passport or passport replacement papers are accepted for foreign nationals.
• 1 current biometric photo
  ‍One 35mm x 45mm, frontal shot with neutral facial expression and closed mouth, looking straight into the camera, light background. See example here.
• Form "Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels" (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit) for new arrival and first time applicants.
  You'll need to have filled this out correctly. You can fill out the form online in minutes here.
• Proof of secure livelihood
  There are three options to prove this. You'll need one of the following:
  1. A blocked account (Sperrkonto) at a German Bank with more than 9,936 EUR. Don't have a blocked account? Get one in minutes here.
  2. Submission of a declaration of commitment by a third party on an official form (Verpflichtungserklärung).
  3. 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.
• Health Insurance (insurance card)
  ‍Proof of a secure livelihood must also include sufficient health insurance. Those with statutory health insurance are sufficiently insured. Those with private health insurance must consider the type and extent of their health insurance. For more information, please read the leaflet "Information on adequate health insurance".
• Certificate of enrollment or conditional approval for studying
• Proof of main residence in Berlin. (if applying from within Germany)
  ‍‍If you are applying from within Germany, you'll need to have a registered address in your name. If you haven't yet done so, you can fill out the Anmeldung form here.

Fees

• €100.00 EUR for the initial issuance
  
• €93.00 EUR for each extension
  
• For Turkish citizens the fee is a maximum of 28.80 euros.
  
• For scholarship holders: Free of charge (only on a scholarship from German public funds, a German foundation or a program financed by the EU).
  

The Process

• Schedule an appointment at the Office of Immigration (Landesamt für Einwanderung).
  ‍You need to contact the Landesamt to schedule an appointment. You can do so here.
• Gather the required documents.
  ‍Before you go to your appointment, you must gather all the required documents listed above.
• Fill out the application form.
  ‍Use the Native form here to fill out your Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit) form and print it out with all your other documents.
• Go to your appointment.
  ‍Go to the Landesamt für Einwanderung listed on your confirmation letter on the date of your appointment with all your documents neatly organized. If you can, bring a German speaking friend. You may get lucky and have an employee who speaks your language, but this is never guaranteed.

Notes

A personal interview is required
The interview should, if possible take place by appointment.

Average time to process request
Around 5–6 weeks. A personal visit four to six weeks before the existing temporary residence permit expires is best.

Other Helpful Resources

Below is a list of resources that will help further explain the Working Holiday Visa process. We have no affiliation with any of the below resources and provide them solely as a benefit to you.