Applying for a residence permit to attend language courses or student exchanges

You can receive a temporary residence permit to participate in a German language course or a student exchange in Germany.

If you are a national of a non-EU or non-EEA country, you will need the following in order to participate in

• a German language course (intensive language course), which serves the acquisition of comprehensive German language skills and not the preparation for studies, or
• a student exchange

a residence permit.

The residence permit can only be issued if you meet the requirements for issuance and there are no grounds for refusal.

The duration of an intensive language course must be limited in time. Attending and following up the course should take up all of your working time (as a rule, daily classes of at least 18 hours per week). Evening, weekend or part-time language courses are not sufficient.

A student exchange is a temporary school stay that usually does not exceed one year and is often organized through student exchange organizations. A privately or commercially organized exchange year is also possible. No direct exchange ("one-to-one") is required to obtain a residence permit (guest student).

• Recognized and valid identity document (for example passport or passport substitute)
• Recent biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Visa, as far as it was necessary for entering the country
• Proofs of subsistence without the use of public benefits (for example, equity, scholarship certificate, declaration of commitment, blocked account at a bank, bank guarantee, proof of parents' income or similar). For the student exchange, the current BAföG rate (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz - Federal Training Assistance Act) is used as a guideline. For language courses, the BAföG rate plus a surcharge of 10 percent.
• Proof of health insurance coverage (for example, confirmation of health insurance coverage or insurance policy).
• For minors: Consent of all persons entitled to custody to the planned stay (declaration of consent); if the parents entitled to custody cannot submit the application jointly for their child, a written power of attorney from the absent parent is required; if only one parent is entitled to custody, the signature of this parent is sufficient.

Additionally for attending a language course:

• Proof of admission to the language course (for example, confirmation of enrollment or contract).
• Curriculum vitae in tabular form (if available: Certificates, diplomas or proof of previously acquired knowledge of the German language.
• Letter of motivation stating why the language course should 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 (for example, certificate from the school stating the duration and general conditions for the student exchange).
• Agreement or contract on the student exchange

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the Aliens' Registration Office may require less or further proof.

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes

• Your livelihood is secured 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 is no interest in deportation against you.

• Appeal against the decision of the foreigners authority within one month of notification
• Action before the court named in the notice of appeal if the appeal is not granted

• The residence permit must be applied for before your visa or visa-free residence period ends.
• Find out whether your foreigners authority allows you to apply online or has a special application form.
• If you have not yet reached the age of 18, you may not submit the application yourself, but require a representative (usually the application is submitted by the custodial parent).
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment at the Aliens' Registration Office. In the case of online application, the Aliens' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• If you are under the age of 18, you must be accompanied by at least one representative at the personal appointment. If the custodial parent cannot appear in person, a written power of attorney for the application must be provided.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be verified (please bring your documents, originals if possible, to the appointment).
• If your application is granted, your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the residence permit in the form of an electronic residence title (eAT card).
• The Foreigners' Registration Office will order the production of the eAT card from the Bundesdruckerei. After completion, you will receive information and can pick up the eAT card at the responsible office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

6 to 8

Note (for more information on the deadline):

The residence permit should be applied for at least eight weeks before the expiration of your still valid visa or visa-free period.

Remark (for more information on the deadline):

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

Duration (with span): approx. 6 to 8

Note for further information on processing time:

The processing time may vary depending on the workload of the Foreigners' Registration Office.

It takes about 4 weeks to 6 weeks for the Bundesdruckerei to produce the electronic residence permit.

Cost amount (fixed):

• 100,00
• 50,00 Euro for underage applicants

Remark:

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

The timing as well as the form of fee collection as well as payment varies depending on the authority.

Lower fees may apply for Turkish nationals.

• The granting of a residence permit is at the discretion of the competent foreigners authority. Applicants are therefore only entitled to a decision free of discretionary errors.
• As a rule, the residence permit does not entitle the holder to engage in gainful employment. An exception may exist for the time of vacations.
• During the stay for participation in a language course, i.e. until the successful completion of the educational measure and handing over of the corresponding graduation certificate, a residence permit for another purpose of stay should generally only be issued if there is a legal entitlement (for example, family reunification or study).
• After the completion of language courses, which are necessary for taking up employment or training, the residence permit for the appropriate purpose can be issued without prior departure.
• Following participation in a student exchange, a residence permit for another purpose of stay may only be issued if there is a legal entitlement.
• The procedure is usually conducted in German.
• All information given to the Aliens' Registration Office should be correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief, so that the request can be processed without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be disadvantageous for the person concerned. In a serious case, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in time vis-à-vis the Aliens Department may result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years, or expulsion from the Federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of the right of residence, this description is for information purposes only and is not legally binding.

Portal of the Federal Government on language courses in Germany

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

Information on 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