German Language Course Visa

Application Process

1. Make an appointment for a visa interview

You will need to sit a visa interview before you can be accepted for the Language Student Visa. There is often a waiting time for appointments, so schedule this as soon as you can and use the time in between to gather all the necessary documentation.

2. Fill in the application form

Applicants may be able to fill in the application form online. Alternatively, download it and fill it in by hand. Be careful not to leave any gaps as this can cause a delay to the processing of your visa.

3. Set up a blocked account (or other proof of financial means)

Applicants will need to prove they have sufficient living costs to cover them for the duration of the course. This is calculated at €720 a month: the average living costs for a student. A blocked account is a special type of bank account that allows you to deposit these funds before you move to Germany. Alternatively, a letter from parents or a sponsor stating that they will cover your living costs may suffice.

Here at Expatrio we can help language course applicants set up a Blocked Account, increasing the likelihood of being granted the necessary visa for this type of study. Check our our Blocked Accounts service page.

4. Health Insurance

Those on a language course are not eligible to register for the public healthcare system and will therefore need to arrange private medical/healthcare cover for the duration of the course.

Find out more on our Health Insurance for Foreign Students pages about public and private German health insurance for students.

5. Gather all the required documents

Ahead of your interview, ensure you have all the documents outlined above and that everything is in order. You will need to take these documents to your visa interview.

6. Attending the visa interview

This short interview will take around ten minutes and will take place at the German consulate, visa office, or embassy in your home country. You may be asked questions about your motivation for doing a language course in Germany.

Recognized Certification for your language studies

Undertaking a formal German language course in Germany for foreigners will result in a recognized certification. A language course may be undertaken at a German university or a dedicated language school. After successfully completing an intensive language course, students will be awarded a grade based on the following grading system: A1, A2 (A2.1, A2.2), B1 (B1.1, B1.2), B2, C1, C2.

In order to progress to a German-taught degree, you will need to gain a score of at least B1.