Residence permit - German intensive language course

Course description

The intensive language course must be limited in time from the outset. The residence permit for a language course can be issued for a maximum of twelve months, which means that an extension is not possible. If you want to stay in Germany after successfully completing a language course for other reasons (e.g. studies or job), this is generally possible.

The residence permit for participation in an intensive language course requires that you are able to support yourself and that you have sufficient health insurance cover for the duration of your stay.

Possibility of employment

The residence permit authorises the holder to work up to 20 hours per week. Self-employment is not permitted.

Visa procedure

This can be applied for at the German mission abroad (embassy or consulate) in your home country. The Federal Foreign Office will provide you with all the information you need on whether you are authorised to enter Germany with or without a visa.

After entering the country

You must first register your place of residence at the Citizens Office.

Then apply for the issue or extension of your residence permit at the Service Centre for Immigration and Naturalisation if your visa is not already valid for the duration of your stay in Germany.

Please submit the application form and the required documents online or by post. After submitting your online application, you can download a completed document as a PDF for your records. The document will confirm your application and the authorisation/continuation of your previous residence. Once we have checked your application, you will receive an appointment for a personal interview.

Prerequisites

Who needs a residence permit?
Citizens from outside the EU, with the exception of Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

General requirements for obtaining a residence permit (§ 5 AufenthG)

• the language course must be an intensive language course. This means that there must be daily lessons with at least 18 lessons per week. Evening and weekend courses are not sufficient.
• it must be a German course, courses in other languages are not possible.

Required documents

• fully completed application form
• valid passport or passport replacement
• current biometric passport photo, which is sent digitally by a certified photo studio or drugstore. Alternatively, you can use one of the photo terminals at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service Office for a fee.
• valid visa for entry to "attend a language course" if required
• Proof of means of subsistence: blocked account of a German bank or financial institution for at least 13,094 euros/ a declaration of commitment or calculation of requirements (in individual cases), e.g. through a declaration of assumption of costs, scholarship commitments, formal declaration of commitment or a blocked account
• Proof of health insurance (insurance card) from a statutory health insurance company or from a travel health insurance company for the duration of the language course.

Further documents may be required in individual cases.

Legal basis

§ Section 16f Residence Act