- If you will take a language course in Germany lasting 3 to 12 months, you need a German language course visa.
- The visa is usually issued for 3 months. During this time, you can apply for a German residence permit at the local immigration office for the duration of your language course.
- A German language course visa is valid only for this purpose. It is impossible to change the visa to another category, such as a student or work visa, or to extend the visa or residence permit beyond 12 months.
- To be granted a visa, you must attend an intensive German language course with daily lessons and at least 18 hours of classes per week. German embassies do not accept visa applications for weekend or evening courses.
Who requires a German language course visa?
A German language course visa is required by all international participants in an intensive German language course who are subject to visa requirements or need a residence permit in Germany. In addition, there are different visa types, which depend on the duration of the language stay in Germany. The course you book must meet specific requirements.
Who requires a visa?
Whether you are required to apply for a language course visa and a residence permit depends on which country you come from:
- Countries without visa and residence permit requirements: Citizens of all EU member states, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, do not need a visa or a residence permit to stay in Germany. Like all other residents, they are merely obliged to register with the relevant residents’ registration office.
- Countries without a visa requirement: Citizens of 14 countries do not need a visa to enter Germany. This group includes Great Britain, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, the USA, and 6 other states. They can stay in Germany for a maximum of 90 days without a visa. For a longer stay, they must apply for a residence permit at the relevant immigration office within this period.
- All other countries: Citizens of all other countries require an entry visa. If you stay in Germany for over 90 days, you will also need a residence permit.
German language course visa: C-visa or D-visa?
A C-visa for Germany is issued for a stay of up to 90 days. It is suitable for tourist trips and visiting family and friends, but also for intensive German language courses that do not exceed the validity of this visa. The German Embassy will ask you about the purpose of your visit, C-visa, even with a short-term visa, as different documents are required for a language course in Germany than for a tourist stay. With a C- visa, you do not need a residence permit to stay in Germany.
A D-visa or German national visa entitles you to a longer-term stay in Germany. It is issued for various reasons, such as a student visa, student applicant visa, work visa, or a visa for vocational training. If your language course in Germany lasts longer than 90 days, you will need this visa. Here, too, you must state that you are applying for the visa as a German language course visa. You will need a residence permit for your language study trip to Germany.
You can only apply for a language course visa for Germany if you attend an intensive language course with daily lessons and at least 18 hours of classes weekly. You will not be able to get a visa for courses that do not meet this requirement.
A German language course visa will be issued for 3 to 12 months, and it cannot be extended for more than 12 months.
No change of language course visa to other visa types
A language course visa and the corresponding residence permit allow you to attend the language course only, but during its validity, you can travel within all Schengen states.
From 2024, international language course participants in Germany will also be entitled to take on a secondary job for a maximum of 20 hours per week. You’ll need to apply for the necessary work permit together with your residence permit.
The visa cannot be converted into another visa type, such as a student or student applicant visa. This also means you cannot apply for or begin university studies during your language stay in Germany. If you want to study in Germany after the language course, you must first return to your home country to apply for a new visa for your studies or university application.
A language course visa is only useful if you would like to come to Germany solely to learn German. If you also plan to apply to a university study, try to get a student applicant visa. Suppose you receive a letter of admission to a German university later on. In that case, it can be converted into a student visa without you having to leave Germany and submit a new visa application. You can only apply for a German student visa if you have already been admitted to a German university.
Health insurance and proof of financial support
Important requirements for granting a German language course visa are health insurance for your stay and proof of financial support.
4 options for proof of financial support
As proof of financial support, you can choose between the following options:
- Blocked account with the deposit required by the German authorities
- Written declaration by your parents that they will finance your stay in Germany (including their bank statements and salary statements from the last 6 months)
- Declaration of commitment by a sponsor living in Germany to cover the costs, which they confirm in writing to the responsible German immigration authority.
- Proof of a scholarship for language acquisition that covers your living expenses in Germany.
How a blocked bank account works
You can open a blocked bank account at various German banks or a specialized online provider. Suppose you must apply for a German language course visa in your home country. In that case, we recommend online providers such as Coracle, Fintiba, Studely, or Expatrio, which the German authorities recognize. The advantage of these providers is that you can open an account online and receive a confirmation within a few days.
You deposit the legally required sum of at least €11,904 for a full year into the account. When you receive your residence permit in Germany, the provider will transfer €992 per month to a German current account, which you must open.
You should find the deposit amount for a German blocked account before paying it at the German embassy or — if you are already in Germany — at the relevant immigration office. The German authorities regularly adjust the deposit amount to the cost of living. In addition, a slightly higher amount may be required for a German language course visa.
Language visa application — interview and documents
To apply for your visa, you need to book an appointment with the German Embassy in your home country via the Embassy’s website. In a visa interview with an Embassy official, you explain your reasons for wanting to take a language course in Germany and answer a few questions. All visa documents must be ready for this appointment — incomplete applications will be rejected as a matter of principle.
For the visa application, you need the following documents, each of which you submit in the original and with 2 photocopies:
- 2 correctly completed application forms for the visa
- Passport — not older than 10 years, still valid for at least 3 months after the planned return journey
- 3 photocopies of the identity pages of your passport
- 2 recent passport photos that meet the photo guidelines of the German authorities — you can find information about this on the embassy website (no copies)
- Confirmed registration for the course
- Proof of financing
- Health insurance for your entire stay
- Copies of previous Schengen visas, if available
- Letter of motivation — your reasons for attending the language course
- For employees: official and stamped letter from the employer regarding the leave of absence
- Proof of accommodation for the entire stay
- Proof of payment of the visa fee of €75
Documents for the application for a residence permit
If you apply for a residence permit at the immigration office of your place of residence, the following documents are required:
- Passport with a valid visa (after the visa has expired, i.e., after 90 days, it is no longer possible to apply for a residence permit)
- One current biometric passport photo
- Signed application for a residence permit
- Certificate of registration and participation in a language course, training agreement (each issued by the language school)
- Proof of financing and health insurance
- Proof of accommodation in the form of a certificate of registration or a rental contract and a confirmation from the landlord that the property has been occupied (for your registration at the residents’ registration office, you also need a confirmation from the landlord that the property has been occupied; the registration must take place within 2 weeks of you moving in)
The issuance of a residence permit costs about €100. Further fees are due for an extension.
Conclusion
Obtaining a German language course visa offers an excellent opportunity for individuals aiming to immerse themselves in the language and culture of Germany through an intensive language course. While the application process requires meticulous preparation, including proof of financial support, health insurance, and compliance with strict course requirements, the rewards of improved language skills and cultural exposure are significant. However, it is crucial to note the visa’s limitations: it cannot be extended beyond 12 months or converted into a different visa type. Proper planning and adherence to regulations will ensure a smooth and enriching language learning experience in Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ
The local German embassies determine the processing time for the visa application. This can take between 6 and 16 weeks. On average, applicants have to wait around 3 months for their visa. So, you should apply for your visa for a language course in Germany as early as possible.
For an intensive language course completed in Germany, the providers issue one of the following official certificates:
- Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF)
- German Language Diploma (GDS)
- German Language Diploma, Level II (DSD II)
When choosing a provider, you should make sure that you complete the course with one of these officially recognized certificates. These certificates are also important, for example, for later university applications in Germany.
In this case, you may only have to deposit the amount the provider pays you monthly into the blocked account for each month of your stay. However, before you transfer any money into the account, you should find out from the German Embassy in your home country how much you need to deposit.
