Residence permit - Study preparation

Description

A residence permit for preparatory studies requires that you hold either a qualification for university entry or a conditional offer of a place at university.

A residence permit for preparatory studies may be granted for a maximum of 2 years, for attending a preparatory language course for a maximum of 18 months, and for attending a Studienkolleg for a maximum of 1 year. It is not possible to extend the permit beyond these periods for the same purpose.

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Before entering the country

You will generally need a visa to enter Germany. You can find all the information on the visa application process on our website.

After entry

You must first register your address at the Citizens’ Office. ​

Application for a residence permit

Before your national D visa or current residence permit expires, you must apply for a residence permit. Please use the same online application form to renew your residence permit as you did for your initial application.

You can submit your application and the required documents online:

• Please upload your documents as PDF files where possible.
• Once you have submitted your application, a confirmation will be displayed. You can save this as a PDF file for your records.
• This confirmation states that your current residence permit remains valid in Germany beyond its previous expiry date and that you may continue to work to the same extent as before (legal fiction).
• You can present this confirmation as proof to the authorities or at your place of work.
• Once your application has been assessed, you will be given an appointment.

Requirements

• University entrance qualification
• Admission to study at a university or college or
• Possession of a certificate of enrolment

If you would like to study at a private university after your preparatory course, a residence permit can only be issued if the university/your degree programme is state-recognised. Please enquire about this at your university.

Required documents

• a fully completed application form
• a valid passport or passport substitute
• a recent biometric passport photo, submitted digitally by a certified photography studio or chemist’s. Alternatively, you may use one of the photo kiosks at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service Centre for a fee.
• A valid visa for entry into Germany for the purpose of preparing for your studies, if required
• University entrance qualification or certificate of enrolment or (conditional) letter of admission from a German university or higher education institution
• Contract with a language school (at least 18 hours per week) or admission to a preparatory college
• Proof of health insurance (insurance card)
• from a statutory health insurance provider. Those with private health insurance must ensure that their cover is adequate in terms of type and scope. The insurance must be valid for at least six months. Travel health insurance is not sufficient. You can find more information here.
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses: A blocked account with a German bank containing at least 11,904 euros, or a declaration of financial support, or a scholarship certificate, or a notarised declaration from your parents undertaking to cover your living costs for the duration of your studies, accompanied by proof of your parents’ income for the last three months

Please note

• The documents submitted (such as proof of identity and language certificates) will be checked for authenticity. We consistently report any forgeries to the police.
• ​ Should we require any further documents, we will write to you.

Legal basis

§ Section 16 (1) AufenthG
§ Section 16 (6) AufenthG
§ Section 16 (3) AufenthG