Aufenthaltserlaubnis zum Zwecke des Studiums beantragen

If you want to study in Germany as a non-EU citizen, you can get a residence permit if you meet certain requirements.

You can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of studying if you wish to study in Germany and have been admitted to a state-recognized university or comparable educational institution in Germany. The studies must be full-time studies.

The purpose of residence of the studies also includes study-preparatory measures. Study-preparatory measures are

• the attendance of a study-preparatory language course, if an admission to study has already been granted and the admission is bound to the attendance of a study-preparatory course and
• the attendance of a Studienkolleg or a comparable institution, if a place is certainly available.

The residence permit for the purpose of study is a temporary residence title. It is issued for a minimum of one year and, as a rule, for a maximum of two years or for the duration of the studies if the studies last less than two years.

In case of participation in a Union or multilateral program with mobility measures (for example ERASMUS+ program of the European Union) or if an agreement between two or more higher education institutions applies to the foreigner, the residence permit is issued for a minimum of two years or for the duration of the studies if the studies last less than two years.

- Valid passport or passport replacement
- Current biometric photo
- Visa, if required
- Proof of livelihood (for example, scholarship certificate, letter of commitment, blocked account at a bank, proof of parents' income or similar)
- rental contract
- Proof of health insurance
- Letter of admission to study at the educational institute
- If applicable, proof of the required language skills, for example by means of suitable language certificates such as language tests of the ALTE-certified examination providers Goethe-Institut, telc GmbH, ÖSD, TestDAF, but also DSH, DSD, TOEFL, IELTS
- In case of participation in study preparation measures: Proof of admission to the Studienkolleg or to a study-preparatory language course.

- You have a recognized and valid passport or passport replacement and - if required for entry - an appropriate visa.
- There is no interest in deportation against you.
- Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
- You have been admitted to a state-recognized university or a recognized educational institution in Germany.
- Your livelihood is secured for the duration of your studies.
- Depending on the requirements of your course of study, you may have to prove to the Aliens' Registration Office that you have the language skills required for your studies (usually at least level B2). No proof of language skills is required if these have already been tested by the receiving university as part of the admission decision or are to be acquired as part of a language course that prepares you for studies.

The residence permit must be applied for at the aliens' registration office responsible for your place of residence. The procedure is as follows:

- Depending on the foreigners authority and your request, it may be possible to apply via the Internet. Find out whether your foreigners authority offers electronic application for the residence permit.
- If the application is only possible in person, make an appointment with the Aliens' Registration Office. During the appointment, your application will be received and your supporting documents will be checked (bring them with you to the appointment). For the production of an electronic residence permit (eAT card) your fingerprints will be taken.
- In the case of an electronic application, the Aliens' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your online application to arrange an appointment at the Aliens' Registration Office, if necessary. During the appointment, your supporting documents will be checked (bring them with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the electronic residence permit (eAT- card).
- If your application is approved, the Aliens' Registration Office will arrange for the eAT card to be produced.
- After about six to eight weeks, you can collect the eAT card from the Aliens' Registration Office.
- The eAT card must always be collected in person.
- Fees are charged for the issuance of the residence permit. The timing as well as the form of payment varies depending on the authority.

- The residence permit should be applied for at least eight weeks before the expiry of your still valid visa or residence permit.
- Action deadline: 1 month

- With your residence permit you are allowed to work for the purpose of studying up to 120 days or 240 half days per year or to do part-time student work. You are not allowed to work during study preparation measures in the first year, except during the vacation period.

- Foreign graduates have the possibility to extend the residence permit granted to you during your studies for up to one year in order to look for a job corresponding to their qualifications.

An appeal against the decision of the Foreigners' Registration Office may be filed with the court specified in the decision.

- Residence Permit for the Purpose of Education, Issuance for the Purpose of Preparing for and Studying in Germany
- Foreigners who wish to study in Germany can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of study if they have an admission to a state-recognized university in Germany.
- The purpose of residence for the purpose of studying also includes the completion of a compulsory internship and study preparation measures such as attending a study preparation language course-if already admitted to a full-time study program-and attending a Studienkolleg or a comparable institution if a secure place is already available.
- The residence permit is issued for a limited period of at least one year and usually for a maximum of two years. If the studies last less than two years, it is issued for the duration of the studies.
- if the foreigner participates in a Union or multilateral program with mobility measures (e.g. ERASMUS+ program of the European Union) or if an agreement between two or more higher education institutions applies to the foreigner, the residence permit is issued for at least two years, or for the duration of the studies if the studies last less than two years.
- The residence permit entitles the holder to work up to 120 days or 240 half-days per year and to do part-time student work; this does not apply during the stay for study preparation measures in the first year of the stay, except during the vacation period.
- Depending on the foreigners authority and the request, the application can be made via the Internet or in person.
- A fee is charged for the issuance of the residence permit. The time as well as the form of payment varies depending on the authority.
- Responsible: the foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence

The immigration authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.

• Forms: You can obtain forms from your foreigners authority; these may also be available online.
• Online procedure occasionally possible
• Written form required: yes
• Personal appearance required: yes