Language Course Visa — Germany

The Germany Language Course Visa allows you to enter and stay in Germany to attend an intensive German language course.

You must have confirmed admission to a course with at least 18 lessons per week.

This visa is issued for the duration of your language course, up to a maximum of 12 months.

It does not guarantee approval simply because you enroll in a course.

You apply at the German embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence.

The Federal Foreign Office manages visa applications abroad.

Local immigration offices (Ausländerbehörde) handle residence matters inside Germany.

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) is the national migration authority.

Key Features

Basic Eligibility Requirements

You must:

• Show proof of admission to an intensive German language course
• Demonstrate a secure livelihood (sufficient financial means)
• Meet general residence requirements under Section 5(1) AufenthG

Certain non‑EU nationals must also obtain a Schengen Visa for short stays or an airport transit visa, depending on nationality.

Visa exemptions apply only to specific biometric passport holders.

This visa differs from a Student Visa, Student Applicant Visa, Vocational Training Visa (Ausbildung), Internship Visa, or Working Holiday Visa.

It focuses solely on language study, though it may later support a change to another residence purpose if you qualify.

You typically complete the national visa application process, which may include forms such as Form VIDEX or the Form Schengen Visa Application, depending on your case.

You may work up to 20 hours per week while you attend your language course in Germany.

This limit applies for the full duration of your approved course.

You must follow the conditions attached to your residence permit issued by your local Ausländerbehörde.

The Federal Foreign Office handles your visa application abroad.

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge – BAMF) oversees migration matters at the federal level.

Work Authorization Overview

If you applied using Form VIDEX and submitted your Form Schengen Visa Application documents through the Federal Foreign Office, your work authorization only begins after you receive your approved national visa and residence permit.

Standard processing for a language course visa currently takes 4 to 8 weeks.

You should not begin working until your visa is approved and valid.

You cannot extend your stay automatically.

You must apply for the appropriate new status before your current visa expires.

If you still do not meet university language requirements and have not received admission, you may need a Student Applicant Visa to seek a place in higher education.

You must apply for this visa in your country of residence through the Federal Foreign Office.

To remain eligible for any new visa, you must:

• Prove your identity and nationality without doubt
• Show there are no grounds for expulsion
• Submit complete and accurate documents
• File the correct application form, such as Form VIDEX for national visas

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge – BAMF) handles specific immigration matters, including applications filed directly with it.

You cannot convert a short-term Form Schengen Visa Application into a long-term study status inside Germany.

Plan your next step carefully before your current stay ends.

The table below outlines possible next options depending on your plans:

Prepare all required documents in advance and apply from your country of residence if required.

You must pay a €75 visa application fee for a Germany language course visa.

Fees apply when you submit your application through the Federal Foreign Office abroad.

If you later apply for a residence permit inside Germany, your local Ausländerbehörde will set separate fees.

Processing typically takes 15 days, but timelines can differ depending on your visa category and where you apply.

For example, wait times may vary if you apply under a different category such as a Student Visa, Student Applicant Visa, Vocational Training Visa (Ausbildung), Internship Visa, or Working Holiday Visa.

Always confirm timelines with the German mission handling your case.

You complete the online form through Form VIDEX before your appointment.

If you apply for a short-term language stay under a Form Schengen Visa Application, processing may follow a different track.

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) does not process consular visa applications abroad.

The Federal Foreign Office manages visa decisions outside Germany.

The most common reason your Student Visa, Student Applicant Visa, or other study-related visa gets denied is inconsistent or incomplete information in your application.

German authorities expect every detail to match across all documents you submit, including your passport and forms such as Form VIDEX and the Form Schengen Visa Application form.

Even small differences can lead to refusal.

You must ensure that your personal data appears exactly the same everywhere.

This includes spelling, passport numbers, dates, and document references.

If your information conflicts, the Federal Foreign Office may reject your visa application.

Frequent Consistency Problems

These issues can cause trouble for applicants seeking the Vocational Training Visa (Ausbildung), Internship Visa, or Working Holiday Visa.

Applicants may also run into problems when applying for a residence permit at the local Ausländerbehörde.

Before submitting anything:

• Copy information exactly as it appears in your passport
• Double-check every entry on each form
• Make sure nothing is left blank where an answer is required
• Keep your details consistent across all documents

BAMF deals with asylum cases, not student visas. The Federal Foreign Office is responsible for student visa applications abroad. Inside Germany, the local immigration office manages residence permits.