If you are a citizen of a non-EU or non-EEA country, you will need a visa to participate in

• a German language course (intensive language course) that is designed to provide comprehensive German language skills and not to prepare you for study, or
• a student exchange

.

The granting of a residence permit requires that you meet the eligibility requirements and that there are no grounds for refusal.

The duration of an intensive language course must be limited in time. Attending and following up on the course should take up all of your working time (usually daily lessons with a minimum of 18 lessons per week). Evening, weekend, or part-time language courses are not sufficient.

A student exchange is a temporary school stay, usually not exceeding one year in duration, and often organized through student exchange organizations. A privately or commercially organized exchange year is also possible. A direct ("one-to-one") exchange is not required to obtain a residence permit (guest student).

• Your living expenses are covered for the duration of the language course or student exchange.
• You would like to participate in an intensive language course, a student exchange, or attend a German school as a guest student.
• There are no grounds for deportation against you.

• You must apply for a residence permit before your visa or visa-free stay expires.
• Find out whether your immigration office allows you to apply online or provides a special application form.
• If you are under 18 years of age, you may not submit the application yourself, but require a representative (as a rule, the application is submitted by the parents with parental authority).
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment with the immigration office. If you apply online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• If you are under 18 years of age, you must be accompanied by at least one representative when you attend the appointment in person. If your parents with parental custody are unable to attend in person, a written power of attorney must be provided for the application.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents, if possible the originals, with you to the appointment).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken for the production of your residence permit in the form of an electronic residence title (eAT card).
• The Foreigners' Registration Office will order the eAT card from the Federal Printing Office. Once it is ready, you will be notified and can collect the eAT card from the relevant office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

Federal Government portal for language courses in Germany

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/leben-in-deutschland/deutsch-lernen/weltweit

Information about visas for language acquisition

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/visum-aufenthalt/arten/weitere/spracherwerb

Information from the Pedagogical Exchange Service (PAD) of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs

https://www.kmk-pad.org/

Information for German host families

https://www.austauschjahr.de/gastfamilie-werden

• The granting of a residence permit is at the discretion of the competent immigration authority. Applicants are therefore only entitled to a decision that is free of discretionary errors.
• As a rule, the residence permit does not entitle the holder to engage in gainful employment. An exception may be made for the duration of the holidays.
• During a stay for the purpose of attending a language course, i.e., until the successful completion of the educational program and the awarding of the corresponding certificate, a residence permit for another purpose of stay should generally only be granted if there is a legal entitlement (e.g., family reunification or study).
• After completing language courses that are necessary for taking up employment or training, the appropriate residence permit can be issued without prior departure.
• Following participation in a student exchange program, a residence permit for another purpose may only be granted if there is a legal entitlement.
• The procedure is usually conducted in German.
• All information provided to the immigration authorities should be correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that the matter can be processed without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be detrimental to those affected. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in time to the immigration authorities can result in the withdrawal of residence rights already granted, a fine, imprisonment for up to three years, or expulsion from the federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.

• Appeal against the decision of the immigration authority within one month of notification
• Action before the court specified in the notice of objection if the objection is not upheld

6 to 8

Note (for further information on the deadline):

The residence permit should be applied for at least eight weeks before your current visa expires or your visa-free period ends.

Note (for further information on the deadline):

The duration of your residence permit will be granted according to the purpose of your stay (usually one year for a student exchange; for language courses, the duration of the language course determines the validity of the residence permit).

Duration (range): approx. 6 to 8

Note for further information on processing time:

The processing time may vary depending on the workload of the immigration office.

It takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks for the Federal Printing Office to produce the electronic residence permit.

The immigration office responsible for the applicant's place of residence is responsible for processing the application.

• Recognized and valid identity document (e.g., passport or passport substitute)
• Current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Visa, if required for entry
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses without recourse to public benefits (e.g., equity capital, scholarship certificate, letter of commitment, blocked bank account, bank guarantee, proof of parents' income, or similar). For student exchanges, the current BAföG rate (Federal Training Assistance Act) is used as a guideline. For language courses, the BAföG rate plus a 10 percent surcharge.
• Proof of health insurance coverage (e.g., confirmation of insurance coverage from the health insurance company or insurance policy).
• For minors: consent of all legal guardians to the planned stay (declaration of consent); if the parents with custody cannot submit the application for their child together, a written power of attorney from the absent parent is required; if only one parent has custody, the signature of that parent is sufficient.

Additionally for attending a language course:

• Proof of admission to the language course (e.g., confirmation of registration or contract)
• Tabular curriculum vitae (if available: certificates, diplomas, or proof of German language skills already acquired.
• Letter of motivation explaining why the language course is to be attended and what plans are being pursued for the time after the language course)

Additionally for participation in a student exchange:

• Proof of school attendance (e.g., certificate from the school stating the duration and conditions of the student exchange)
• Agreement or contract regarding the student exchange

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the immigration office may require less or more evidence.

Cost (fixed):

• 100.00
• 50.00 euros for applicants who are minors

Note:

Additional fees may apply for the issuance of a residence permit in the form of an electronic residence permit (eAT card), which can also be used as electronic proof of identity.

The timing and form of fee collection and payment vary depending on the authority.

Lower fees may apply for Turkish citizens.

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes