Apply for a residence permit for conditional admission to a degree program or for part-time study
If you would like to study in Germany but have not yet met the requirements for admission, you can obtain a residence permit for that purpose.
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Basic information
If you would like to study in Germany, this may be subject to certain conditions, such as successfully completing a language course. You can also apply for a residence permit for this preparatory study program.
Specifically, you may already be granted a temporary residence permit if
- you have been admitted to a full-time program at a state university, a state-recognized university, or a comparable educational institution, but the admission is subject to conditions, such as proof of completion of your bachelor’s degree.
- you have been admitted to a full-time degree program at a public university, a state-recognized university, or a comparable educational institution, but the admission is subject to the condition that you first attend a Studienkolleg or a comparable institution. You do not necessarily have to provide proof of admission for this.
- You have been admitted to a part-time program at a public university, a state-recognized university, or a comparable educational institution.
- You have been accepted to participate in a preparatory language course without having already received admission from a higher education institution.
- You have received confirmation from a company that you will be able to complete a pre-study internship.
When deciding whether to grant your residence permit, the Office of Foreigners may seek opinions from the higher education institution or other institutions authorized to provide education or training regarding your eligibility to study.
The residence permit for study purposes will be granted for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 2 years.
If you are participating in a European Union or multilateral program with mobility measures—such as the European Union’s ERASMUS+ program—or if an agreement between two or more higher education institutions applies to you, your residence permit will be granted for at least 2 years.
As a general rule, you must have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses and health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay.
With the residence permit, you are allowed to work up to 140 days per year. You may also engage in part-time student work.
If you are under 18 years of age, your parents or legal guardians must consent to your stay in Germany.
Requirements
- Their livelihood is secure, and they have adequate health insurance coverage.
- Your identity and nationality have been verified.
- There are no grounds for deportation or an entry ban against you.
- You meet the passport requirement.
- You entered the country with the required visa. Your stay is lawful.
- Admission to a degree program
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Procedure
- The application and the required documents can be submitted to us by email or mail.
- If necessary, the Immigration Office will request additional documents.
- If your application is approved, you will receive an appointment to come in for an interview.
More information
- You are not entitled to a residence permit. It is at the discretion of the Immigration Office to grant the residence permit.
- Please ensure that your information is accurate and complete so that your application can be processed without delay.
Due to the complexity of residency law, this description is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.
Passport photos are now accepted only in digital form. The passport photo must be taken using a registration system on-site at the Migration Office, at a photo studio, or by a photo service provider. You cannot submit a digital passport photo from your cell phone. Further information is available on our website. Limited exceptions to the biometric requirements are permitted for infants and toddlers.
A residence permit can only be issued for the duration of your national passport’s validity. Please apply for renewal well in advance of your national passport’s expiration date.
If you do not possess a valid national passport, you must provide proof of your efforts to obtain one (for example: written confirmation from the embassy, reasons for delay).Appeal:
- Appeal
- Lawsuit
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Necessary Documents
- National Passport / Proof of Identity
- A current biometric passport photo
- Documents related to your studies:
- Proof of financial support (e.g., restricted account, letter of financial commitment, etc.)
- Certificate of enrollment
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of proper progress in the program
- Proof of the likelihood of success in the program
- Proof of enrollment in a preparatory program:
- Proof of financial resources (e.g., blocked account, letter of financial commitment, etc.)
- Proof of health insurance
- Registration for the preparatory language course and admission to the degree program
- Admission to the preparatory college
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Fees / Costs
100,00 EUR When a residence permit is issued for the first time as an electronic residence permit
93,00 EUR When renewing a residence permit as an electronic residence permit
27,60 EUR For Turkish citizens up to the age of 24 for initial issuance / for renewal
46,00 EUR For Turkish citizens aged 24 or older: for initial issuance / for renewal
56,00 EUR when the residence permit is issued for the first time as a label
49,00 EUR when renewing a residence permit as a label
6,00 EUR in addition, for taking a digital passport photo at the on-site self-service terminal. -
Deadlines & processing time
What deadlines must be paid attention to?
8 weeks You should apply for a residence permit no later than eight weeks before your current visa or residence permit expires.
How long does it take to process
Once we receive your application, we will need some time to process and review it. Once the review is complete, we will get back to you.
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Legal Bases
- § 16b Absatz 5 Gesetz über den Aufenthalt, die Erwerbstätigkeit und die Integration von Ausländern im Bundesgebiet (Aufenthaltsgesetz - AufenthG)
- § 7 Gesetz über den Aufenthalt, die Erwerbstätigkeit und die Integration von Ausländern im Bundesgebiet (Aufenthaltsgesetz - AufenthG)
- § 50 Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV)
This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.
The official information in German is complete and correct.
Updated on 20.08.2026