Germany Residence Permit for Students
Your student visa lasts a short time. Before it ends, apply for a residence permit for study (the card that lets you live in Germany while you study) at the Foreigners' Office (Ausländerbehörde), the city office for people from other countries. Amounts are in euro (EUR).
GermanyEXAMPLE GERMANY RESIDENCE PERMIT
Type: Student
Status: Student
Example: Master's course
Example: your German university
This is a sample card. Your real card shows your own details.
What the Residence Permit Is
Your national visa (D visa, a long-stay visa) lets you enter Germany. The residence permit lets you stay for your studies. You get it from the Foreigners' Office where you live.
Visa or Residence Permit?
The German Missions (the German embassy and consulates) in your country put it in your passport.
Usually valid from 90 days to one year.
Lets you enter Germany.
Given by the Foreigners' Office in Germany.
Usually issued for two years at first. You can ask to renew it for two more years.
Lets you stay for your studies.
Key Papers
Residence permit card (eAT)
The eAT is a plastic ID card that shows your permit. Some offices give a sticker for your passport instead.
Registration certificate (Meldebestätigung)
You get it when you register your address.
Certificate of enrolment
From your university. Needed to apply and to renew.
Study progress report
For a renewal: a paper from your university that shows how your studies are going, such as your results or your study plan.
What You Need
Enrolment
You are enrolled at your university, or it has accepted you on one condition.
Money
EUR 992 a month, which is EUR 11,904 a year, for 2026.
Health insurance
Public insurance or a private plan that covers the same things.
Address
A registered home address in the city of the office.
Permits for Students and Graduates
Most students hold a residence permit for study. After you graduate, you can change it to look for work.
Key Times
Register your address
Within 14 days of moving in
Get German health insurance
Do this before you apply
Apply to the Foreigners' Office
First permit: before your visa ends
Appointment at the office
When invited
Collect your card
4 to 6 weeks
Permit Types
Residence permit for study
For full-time study at a university that the German state recognises. It also covers courses that prepare you for study, and an internship that your course requires.
Key Requirements:
- You are enrolled (signed up as a student) at a university, or it has accepted you on one condition.
- Money for your living costs, with health insurance.
- Your home address in the city.
Permit to look for work after graduation
After you finish your degree, you can stay to look for a job that fits your degree.
Key Requirements:
- A completed degree from a German university.
- You may work in any job while you look.
Work permit for skilled workers (including the EU Blue Card)
Once you find a job that fits your degree, you can change your permit for study into a work permit. The EU Blue Card is a work permit for well-paid graduate jobs.
Key Requirements:
- A job offer that fits your degree.
- Graduates of German universities can apply for a settlement permit (the right to stay in Germany for good) after working in Germany for more than two years.
Your Steps to the Residence Permit
Register your address
Do your city registration (Anmeldung) at the Citizens' Office (Bürgeramt), the city office. Bring a landlord confirmation, a paper from your landlord that says you live there.
Duration: Within 14 days of moving in
Get German health insurance
Public insurance or a private plan that covers the same things.
Duration: Do this before you apply
Apply to the Foreigners' Office
In Berlin you apply online and pay the fee first.
Duration: First permit: before your visa ends
Appointment at the office
You get an appointment for an in-person interview. Bring the originals of all your papers.
Duration: When invited
Collect your card
The eAT is your residence permit as a card. In Berlin it comes 4 to 6 weeks after the appointment.
Duration: 4 to 6 weeks
How to Apply
Apply to the Foreigners' Office where you live. In Berlin this is the Berlin Immigration Office (LEA), and you apply online.
Steps for Your First Permit
Register your address
Do your city registration within 14 days of moving in.
Bring your passport and the landlord confirmation. Registration is free.
Get German health insurance
Public insurance or a private plan that covers the same things.
Foreign insurance is not enough.
Apply online
Upload your papers to the Foreigners' Office.
Berlin: pay the fee before you send the form.
Go to your appointment
Bring the originals of all your papers.
The office may ask for more papers first.
Get your permit
You get your residence permit for study.
Berlin: a sticker on the day, or the eAT card after 4 to 6 weeks.
Renewing Your Permit
Check the end date
In Berlin you can apply from 4 months before your permit ends.
Get your papers
Bank statements for the 6 months before you apply, and a study progress report from your university.
Apply online
Pay the fee and send the form. Save the confirmation PDF.
After Your Studies
| From Status | To Status | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student | Job seeker | A completed German degree | You may work in any job while you look. |
| Student | Work permit for skilled workers (including the EU Blue Card) | A job that fits your degree | Apply when you have a job that fits your degree. |
Papers for the Residence Permit
This list is for Berlin. Other cities ask for similar papers.
Papers Everyone Needs
Passport
The pages with your photo and details, plus your visa and entry stamp if this is your first permit.
Proof of address
Your registration certificate (Meldebestätigung), or your lease with the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung).
Health insurance
Public: your health card or a letter from the insurer. Private: a certificate of what the plan covers and costs.
Proof of money
First permit: a blocked account (Sperrkonto), a sponsor letter or a scholarship. A blocked account is a German bank account that lets you take out only a set amount each month. Renewal: bank statements for the 6 months before you apply.
Study Papers
Enrolment or admission
Your certificate of enrolment or admission letter.
Study progress (renewal)
A paper from your university that shows your results or your study plan.
How Long It Takes
Times depend on your city. In Berlin a sticker can be issued at the appointment. The eAT card takes 4 to 6 weeks.
From Visa to Permit
Visa at home
You enter Germany on a national visa for study.
Key Activities:
- Apply on the German government's visa website (the Consular Services Portal).
- Your visa is usually valid from 90 days to one year.
City registration
Register your address at the Citizens' Office.
Key Activities:
- Bring your passport and the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung).
- Registration is free.
Apply
Apply to the Foreigners' Office.
Key Activities:
- Berlin: online, and you pay the fee first.
- Accepted files: PDF, JPG, JPEG and PNG.
Appointment
The office checks your application and invites you.
Key Activities:
- Bring the originals of all papers.
Permit
You get your residence permit.
Key Activities:
- Berlin: sticker on the day, or the eAT card after 4 to 6 weeks.
What Changes the Time
Missing papers
The office asks for more papers before it invites you.
Card or sticker
A sticker can be issued at the appointment. The card takes longer.
Berlin Times
Fastest Cases
Typical Cases
Keeping Your Permit
Simple steps to keep your permit valid while you study.
Good Habits
Watch your email
The Berlin Immigration Office writes to you by email.
Check your spam folder too.
Study full-time
Your permit is only for full-time study.
For a renewal you show your study progress.
Register when you move
Register each new address at the Citizens' Office.
Within 14 days of moving in.
Mistakes to Avoid
Plan Ahead
Germany Residence Permit Questions
Answers to what students from India and Pakistan ask about the residence permit for study.
Your questions
Useful Links
Berlin: residence permit for study
Papers, fees and steps at the Berlin Immigration Office (Landesamt für Einwanderung, LEA).
Learn MoreNeed More Help?
Each city has its own Foreigners' Office. Check its page before you apply, or contact our team.
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