The right visa for your German course
Which visa is the right one for your German course in Germany? Good to know: There are various visas for Germany that you can use for a language course in Germany. You can find out what these are in this post.
Student visa (Studentenvisum)
If you want to study in Germany after the end of the German course, you should first get a (conditional) admission from a German university or preparatory college (Studienkolleg).
Then you can apply for a student visa (“visa for study purposes”). With a student visa you can stay in Germany for a longer period of time.
Student Applicant Visa (Studienbewerbervisum)
If you want to study in Germany after the end of the German course, but – for whatever reason – are still not admitted to a German university, you may be able to apply for a student applicant visa.
Unfortunately, this option is not available in all countries. That means you have to find out from the German representation in your home country whether you can get a student applicant visa.
A student applicant visa is initially valid for three months and can be extended by a maximum of 6 months. For a student applicant visa, you need proof that you are actually a student applicant and proof from a German language school that you are attending an intensive German course until you begin your studies.
Therefor you`ll have to register for a German course at a language school in Germany. (We have described how this works from abroad here: German Course Registration from Abroad)
The student applicant visa can be converted into a student visa after the German course if you start studying at a German university.
Language Course Visa (Sprach-/Deutschkursvisum)
If you (only) want to attend a longer intensive German course (longer than 90 days) in Germany, you can apply for a language course visa.
For a language course visa, you also need proof from a German language school that you are attending an intensive German course in Germany. You also have to register for a German course at a language school.
The granting of the language course visa may depend on other conditions from country to country. The language course visa is valid for the length of the intensive German course that you have booked, but for a maximum of 12 months.
Tip: If you have already learned German in your home country, this will definitely increase your chances of getting a language course visa.
Attention: The language course visa cannot be converted into another visa in Germany (student visa, student applicant visa, job search visa).
This means that you definitely have to go back to your home country to apply for a new visa, even if you have considered studying in Germany after the German course.
Job seeker Visa (Visum zu Arbeitsplatzsuche für qualifizierte Fachkräfte)
If you would like to work in Germany but have not yet found a job, you can apply for a job seeker visa. However, the job seeker visa is only available for qualified specialists. It is valid for a maximum of 6 months.
You are a qualified specialist if you have a German or equivalent university degree and have enough money to finance your living in Germany.
You can also attend a German course while you are looking for a job.
If you find a job within 6 months, you can apply for a work permit for Germany or the EU Blue Card directly in Germany.
Schengen Visa (Schengen-Visum)
If you would like to attend a language course that lasts less than 90 days, e.g. a summer or holiday course, you can do so with a Schengen visa. The Schengen visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days.
With a few exceptions, it cannot be extended or converted into another type of visa or residence permit.
Attention: Make sure that your German course really fits into the 90 days for which the Schengen visa is valid.
Do you need help?
Our German course office will be happy to advise you on all visa issues. You will receive a German course confirmation to apply for a visa immediately after booking and paying for a German course at the Deutschkolleg.
Telefon: +49-711-687068-18
WhatsApp: +49-1520-3645556
info@deutschkolleg-stuttgart.de
Telegram: Deutschkolleg Stuttgart
Signal: Deutschkolleg Stuttgart
Useful Links
German Course at Deutschkolleg Online Registration
German Course Registration from Abroad
Visa Information from DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)