Rights of Foreigners / Obtaining a Residency Permit for Study Purposes (Visa)
International students need a visa for study purposes to enter Germany (a residency permit in the form of an entry stamp). The visa must have been issued by the German Embassy or the German Consulate in your native country. Exempt from this regulation are applicants and students from EU member countries and from countries with which the Federal Republic of Germany has reached a special agreement. At the present time, this is the case for Australia, Honduras, Monaco, San Marino, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and the USA.
By no means should you enter Germany as a tourist! You cannot have a tourist visa changed into a student visa after you have entered the country.
Students and applicants from non-EU countries are issued a residency permit. This permit is only valid for a specific purpose, in your case to apply or study at a recognized institution of higher education or a similar educational institution or to prepare for studies (e.g. by taking a language course). In the case of preparation for studies or for studies, you can / should be granted residency for two years. Residency permits for applying for studies have a maximum validity of nine months.
In order not to lose any time, you should inquire as early as possible at an agency of the German government in your native country as to what documents you need to apply for a visa. The addresses of German embassies and consulates may be found on the internet at the following address.
If you need more detailed information, please consult the brochure „Informationen zu den rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen für Einreise und Aufenthalt von ausländischen Studierenden und Wissenschaftlern“ (“Information on the Legal Conditions for the Entry and Residency of International Students and Scientists” – available only in German) from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Applicants from China, Vietnam and Mongolia are as a rule required to present an APS-certificate.
Wege ins Ausland - Erstinformationen des International Office zu studienbezogenen Auslandsaufenthalten, nächster Termin: 12.06.2012, 13:00 Uhr, Senatssaal, Fahnenbergplatz