Student Visa (national)
🇩🇪 Germany visas · Study
What it is
National long-stay visa for non-EU students admitted to a state-recognised German higher education institution.
Key facts
- Category
- Study
- Duration
- Initially up to 2 years, renewable for additional 2 years if studies not completed
- Processing time
- Not specified on page
- Maximum validity
- 2 years
- Extendable
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- Indirect route
- Dependants
- Conditional
- Work allowance
- 20 hours per week
- How to apply
- Embassy
- Health insurance
- Required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (national (D) visa to enter)
- EUR 75
- Proof of funds (blocked account (Sperrkonto))
- EUR 11,904 per year
- Application fee (residence permit, issued after arrival)
- EUR 100
Key requirements
- Admission to a state-recognised higher education institution in Germany
- Proof of funds: at least EUR 11,904 (2026) via blocked account, scholarship or declaration of commitment
- Language proficiency as required by the programme (commonly B2 German or equivalent English)
- Health insurance for the duration of studies
- Valid passport
Working on this visa
up to 140 full working days or 280 half-days per year (Arbeitstagekonto); studentische Nebentätigkeiten (student side-jobs at the university) are not counted
After this visa
After graduating, apply for an 18-month jobseeker residence permit (Section 20) to find related work.
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 27 July 2026.