Apply for a residence permit to attend a general education school

• The application and the required documents can be sent 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 permitted to work while you hold a residence permit.
• While you are in the country to attend school, you will generally receive a residence permit for another purpose only if you have a legal entitlement to one (for example, for family reunification or to pursue higher education).
• Following your stay for the purpose of attending school, you will receive a residence permit for another purpose only if you have a legal entitlement (for example, for family reunification or to pursue higher education).
• The procedure is generally conducted in German

Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is provided 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. For infants and young children, limited deviations from the biometric requirements are permitted.

A residence permit can only be issued for the duration of your national passport’s validity. Please apply for a renewal well in advance of your national passport’s expiration date.

If you do not have a valid national passport, you must provide evidence of your efforts to obtain one (for example: written confirmation from the embassy, reasons for any delays).

Legal Remedies:

• Appeal
• Lawsuit

• National Passport / Proof of Identity
• A current biometric passport photo
• Proof of language course completion:
  
  • Proof of financial resources (e.g., blocked account, letter of financial commitment, etc.)
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Confirmation of enrollment and duration of the language course
  • Language certificates already obtained
• Proof of school attendance:
  
  • Proof of financial support (e.g., restricted account, letter of financial commitment, scholarship, etc.)
  • School certificate stating the period of attendance and, if applicable, the intended school-leaving qualification
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Rental agreement specifying the square meters for the student in question
  • Consent from a parent or legal guardian, if you are under 18 years of age

• Application for a residence permit (pdf, 233.6 KB)
  

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 nationals up to age 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 kiosk.

What deadlines must be paid attention to?

8 weeks You should apply for a residence permit no later than 8 weeks before your current visa expires.
The residence permit is issued for the duration of the planned school attendance, for example, until the completion of the educational program and the issuance of the corresponding diploma.

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.

• § 16f Absatz 2 Gesetz über den Aufenthalt, die Erwerbstätigkeit und die Integration von Ausländern im Bundesgebiet (Aufenthaltsgesetz - AufenthG)
• § 50 Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV)
• Section 50 of the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)
• Section 16f(2) of the Act on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreign Nationals in the Federal Territory (Residence Act – AufenthG)

• Informationen zu Sprachkursen in Deutschland auf dem Portal "Make it in Germany" der Bundesregierung
• Informationen über Visa zum Spracherwerb auf dem Portal "Make it in Germany" der Bundesregierung
• Informationen des pädagogischen Austauschdienstes (PAD) der Kultusministerkonferenz
• Informationen für Fachkräfte aus dem Ausland auf dem Portal "Make it in Germany" der Bundesregierung
• Informationen für deutsche Gastfamilien
• Information on visas for language learning on the German Government’s “Make it in Germany” portal
• Information for skilled workers from abroad on the German Government’s ‘Make it in Germany’ portal
• Information from the Educational Exchange Service (PAD) of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs
• Information on language courses in Germany on the German government’s ‘Make it in Germany’ portal
• Information for German host families