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Germany, 2026/27

How to get a German student visa, step by step

In short: to study in Germany from outside the EU you need a national (D) student visa. Get admitted, prove EUR 11,904 for a year (usually in a blocked account), arrange health insurance, apply online through the Federal Foreign Office portal and pay the EUR 75 fee. Decisions usually take about one to two months (German Embassy Nairobi). After arrival, register your address within 14 days and apply for a residence permit before the visa runs out.

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The eight steps

  1. 1. Get admitted

    Get an admission letter from a state-recognised university. If you have no place yet, a separate visa to look for one exists (up to nine months, with EUR 1,091 a month in a blocked account in 2026).

    Source: Make it in Germany (Federal Government)

  2. 2. Check whether you need APS

    Applicants from India, China and Vietnam must get an APS certificate verifying their academic documents before they can book a visa appointment; allow four to eight weeks.

    Source: Our Germany guide (official sources listed there)

  3. 3. Prove the money

    Show at least EUR 11,904 for a year (EUR 992 a month), usually in a blocked account opened before you apply. A scholarship confirmation or a formal declaration of commitment from a sponsor in Germany can replace it. If your university charges tuition, prove the first year’s fees too.

    Source: German Embassy Nairobi (Federal Foreign Office)

  4. 4. Arrange health insurance

    The embassy asks for proof of health insurance valid for your first three months in Germany, from the date you enter.

    Source: German Embassy Nairobi (Federal Foreign Office)

  5. 5. Apply online and book the appointment

    Apply through the Federal Foreign Office’s Consular Services Portal. Once your documents are checked you get a link to book an appointment, where your fingerprints and photo are taken, the EUR 75 fee is paid and the originals are shown. Documents include your passport, photos, admission letter, proof of money, certificates, a language certificate (usually B2 unless the university tested you), a CV and a motivation letter.

    Source: German Embassy Nairobi (Federal Foreign Office)

  6. 6. Wait for the decision

    The German Embassy in Nairobi says processing usually takes about one to two months. Getting an appointment can take far longer in some countries, so apply as soon as you hold your admission letter.

    Source: German Embassy Nairobi (Federal Foreign Office)

  7. 7. Register your address

    Within 14 days of moving into your home in Germany, register your address at the local registration office (Anmeldung). Missing it can mean a fine of up to EUR 1,000.

    Source: Constructor University

  8. 8. Get your residence permit

    Apply to the local foreigners authority for a residence permit for study (Section 16b of the Residence Act) before your visa expires. It is usually issued for two years and can be renewed.

    Source: Make it in Germany (Federal Government)

Money to showEUR 11,904 a year (EUR 992 a month)
Visa feeEUR 75
Usual decision timeAbout 1 to 2 months, after the appointment
Work allowed140 full or 280 half days a year, or 20 hours a week
After graduatingUp to 18 months to look for work

Last checked: 7 Nov 2026. Each step links to the official page it comes from. Embassies differ in their document lists and appointment systems: always follow the page of the German mission in your country, found through the Federal Foreign Office.

What to do next

  1. Pick a university: what German universities charge, from their own pages.
  2. Budget the year with the cost calculator.
  3. See the visa rules for your nationality on the Germany visa page.
  4. Look for a scholarship open to your nationality.

Questions

How do I get a German student visa?

to study in Germany from outside the EU you need a national (D) student visa. Get admitted, prove EUR 11,904 for a year (usually in a blocked account), arrange health insurance, apply online through the Federal Foreign Office portal and pay the EUR 75 fee. Decisions usually take about one to two months (German Embassy Nairobi). After arrival, register your address within 14 days and apply for a residence permit before the visa runs out.

How much money do I need in a blocked account for Germany?

EUR 11,904 for one year, released at EUR 992 a month, according to the Federal Foreign Office and Make it in Germany (2026). A scholarship or a sponsor's formal declaration of commitment can replace it.

How long does a German student visa take?

The German Embassy in Nairobi says it usually decides in about one to two months, but waiting for an appointment can take much longer in some countries. Apply as soon as you have your admission letter.

Can I work on a German student visa?

Yes: up to 140 full days or 280 half days a year, or up to 20 hours a week during term, according to Make it in Germany.

What next?

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