EU citizens and citizens from some other countries (Honduras, Island, Liechtenstein,Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the United States) do not need a visa. Everybody else must apply for a visa for study purposes via the German diplomatic representation in their home country. You must not under any circumstances travel to Germany on a tourist visa.
A national Visa is issued for stays lasting longer than three months (for example, to attend a preparatory course at a Studienkolleg or to study a full programme).
If you wish to study or do a doctorate, you must make sure right from the beginning that you apply for a national visa for the purpose of studying (student visa). As a rule, you will have to present the following papers and documents to the relevant German mission abroad.
A national Visa is issued for stays lasting longer than three months (for example, to attend a preparatory course at a Studienkolleg or to study a full programme).
If you wish to study or do a doctorate, you must make sure right from the beginning that you apply for a national visa for the purpose of studying (student visa). As a rule, you will have to present the following papers and documents to the relevant German mission abroad.
- letter of admission from the German university,
- health insurance policy,
- proof of any academic credits gained or examinations passed,
- proof of any German language skills you may have or of your plans to take a language course in Germany,
- Documents that prove how you intend to finance your living expenses while you are studying (proof of sufficient financial resources).
