Apply for a residence permit to attend language courses or participate in a student exchange program
You can obtain a temporary residence permit to take part in a German language course or a student exchange program in Germany.
-
Basic information
If you are a citizen of a country that is not a member of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), you will need a residence permit to participate in a German language course or a student exchange program.
The German course must be an intensive language course designed to help you acquire comprehensive German language skills, rather than to prepare you for academic studies.
The duration of the intensive language course must be limited in time. Attending and reviewing the course material should take up all of your working hours. As a rule, this means you will have classes Monday through Friday, totaling at least 18 class hours per week. Evening, weekend, or part-time language courses are not sufficient.
In the case of a student exchange, you participate in a temporary school stay that generally does not exceed one year and is often organized through student exchange organizations. You may also choose a privately or commercially organized exchange year. A reciprocal exchange is not required to obtain a residence permit. This means that a return visit by a host student to your country is not necessary.
During the language course and the student exchange, you must be able to cover your living expenses and health insurance without relying on public assistance. As a guideline, the current rate under the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) applies to student exchanges, and for language courses, the BAföG rate plus 10 percent applies.
During your stay for the language course, you may work up to 20 hours per week. A student exchange stay does not entitle you to work.
If you have not yet turned 18 at the time of the student exchange, your parents or legal guardians must consent to your stay in Germany.
The procedure is generally conducted in German.
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.
-
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
- The issuance of a residence permit is at the discretion of the competent immigration authority. As the applicant, you are therefore only entitled to a decision that is free from errors of discretion.
- While you are in the country to attend a language course, there are no restrictions on changing the purpose of your stay.
- After completing language courses required for taking up employment or vocational training, a residence permit corresponding to that purpose may be granted without the need for prior departure from the country.
- Following participation in a student exchange program, a residence permit for a different purpose may be granted only if there is a legal entitlement to do so.
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. Limited deviations from 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 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 preventing you from doing so).
Legal Remedies:
- Appeal
- Lawsuit
-
Necessary Documents
- 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
-
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 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 terminal. -
Deadlines & processing time
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 duration of your residence permit is determined by the purpose of your stay; for student exchanges, it is generally one year, while for language courses, the duration of the language course determines the validity period of the residence permit.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.
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