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Visa for studying and for seeking a university place
To find out whether you require a visa to enter Germany, see „Who needs a visa?“.
General information
In Germany, you can expect a wide range of opportunities to study and to do research. This is possible with an appropriate visa for this purpose. In addition, you need a school-leaving certificate that qualifies you to study (university entrance qualification) in Germany.
At Study in Germany and Make it in Germany you will find helpful information about your study stay in Germany. You can find out how to plan your studies in Germany, how to finance your stay and what student life in Germany is all about.
What documents must be submitted during the application process?
A current biometric passport photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm with a light-coloured background) according to the photo sample table of the Federal Ministry of the Interior. The photo should not be older than three months.
Personally signed passport with at least two completely empty pages and sufficient validity.
If you do not have your habitual residence in Switzerland or Liechtenstein, the German Embassy in Bern is not responsible for processing your application.
Consent to electronic notification. Please complete the form and enclose it with your application documents.
Evidence of admission to university/ exchange semester/ degree course/ PhD program.
Proof of qualification: high school diploma/APS certificate with one copy.
Proof of financial means with one copy: To stay in Germany, each individual applicant must have at their disposal at least 947 € per month (12 month). Proof of these means (blocked account , a formal obligation by a third person in Germany or prove of scholarship.
Detailed motivation letter in German or English language curriculum vitae in German or English language with one copy.
Students aged 30 or younger who are enrolled at a state-run or state-recognised university are generally covered by the German statutory health insurance system from the date of enrolment. As part of the visa application process, proof of health insurance covering the period until statutory health insurance coverage begins must be submitted. An incoming or travel health insurance policy valid in Germany for the first three months is sufficient for this purpose.
Please check in advance whether you will be covered by the German statutory health insurance system. This is generally no longer the case for students aged 30 or older. Younger students also have the option of choosing adequate private health insurance instead. Proof of insurance must be submitted as part of the visa application process, and the policy must be valid for at least the entire duration of the visa. The policy must cover at least the costs of outpatient and inpatient medical treatment and must not be limited to emergencies. Travel health insurance is therefore generally insufficient.
Please note that statutory health insurance does not yet apply if you are attending a Studienkolleg (preparatory college) or a language course in preparation for university studies. Please refer to „Studienkolleg“ or „Language Course“ (Nos. 4 and 5) for further information.
Seeking a university place: As part of the visa application process, you must provide proof of private health insurance (often referred to as „incoming insurance“) that is valid for the entire duration of your visa.
The policy must cover at least the costs of outpatient and inpatient medical treatment and must not be limited to emergencies. Travel health insurance is therefore generally insufficient.
The German Embassy Bern reserve the right to ask for additional documents at any time during the processing of your application.
Online application
The online application is possible through the Consular Services Portal. After you have uploaded your documents, your application will be checked for completeness. Communication regarding any additional information required will be conducted directly through the Consular Services Portal.
At your appointment, you will need to present all original documents, your biometric photos and pay the visa fee.
The Consular Service Portal will guide you step by step through the information and documents required for your specific purpose of stay. Your documents will be checked for completeness as part of the online procedure so that you are optimally prepared for your appointment at the foreign mission.
After successful preliminary review, you will receive a link to book an appointment. At the appointment, you will present any original documents that may be required, provide your biometric data (fingerprints and biometric photos), and pay the fee.
The application can only be submitted in person at your pre-booked appointment at the visa office of the embassy (Willadingweg 78, 3006 Bern). The visa office will accept your application with original documents and the fee and take your fingerprints. It is not possible to submit an application without an appointment.
Processing time
In this visa category, most applications are typically processed within 2-5 weeks (no guarantee and alculated from the day you procided all documents).
During the application process
Please do not contact the mission abroad to check the status of your application during the normal processing period. Such inquiries are extremely time-consuming for the visa department and cannot be answered. We will contact you by email as soon as the decision has been made. In principle, all communication can only take place with the applicant themselves, a legal representative or an authorized person.
Decision about the application
You will be informed as soon as the embassy has decided on your application. Your passport is required for the visa to be issued.
Please check your visa label as soon as you have your passport with the visa in your hands. You should inform us immediately of any errors so that we can issue a new visa.