Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of education
Service description
Foreign nationals from non-EU and non-EEA countries require a residence permit for training purposes in Germany. You can obtain this for the following training courses:
- Participation in non-study preparatory language courses (intensive language course in German)
- in exceptional cases to attend school
- With the approval of the Federal Employment Agency for in-company training and further education
To study at a state or state-recognized university or comparable educational institution in Germany, you need a "residence permit for students".
Note: Nationals of EU countries can complete an apprenticeship in Germany on the basis of their right to freedom of movement. This also applies to other nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) and to nationals of Switzerland.
The residence permit for the purpose of training is limited in time and is only valid for this purpose of residence. If the purpose of residence changes, you must notify the competent office immediately. You must apply for an extension of the residence permit in good time before the period of validity expires.
Attention: If you are staying in Germany for educational purposes, you cannot obtain a settlement permit.
Apply for a residence permit for students from countries outside the EU/EEA
Process flow
Before entering Germany, you may need to apply for a national visa in your home country.
After entering the country, you must apply for the residence title in writing to the Aliens' Registration Office before your visa expires. Depending on your place of residence, the aliens' registration office is the city council or the district office.
Since 01.09.2011 you will receive the residence title in the form of a check card with additional electronic functions. For more information, see "Applying for an electronic residence title (eAT)".
Note: If the approval of the Federal Employment Agency is required (e.g. in the case of in-company training and further education), the Foreigners' Registration Office obtains this in an internal administrative procedure.
Requirements
Requirements for the issuance of the residence permit are:
- You fulfill the passport and visa requirements.
Your livelihood is secured.
The assessment limit is the maximum funding rate according to the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG). - There are no grounds for expulsion against you.
- Their stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
- You meet the entry requirements for the corresponding training.
- You fulfill the passport and visa requirements.
What documents are needed?
- Proof of fulfillment of passport and visa requirements
- Proof of secure livelihood
- Proof of fulfillment of the admission requirements for the training (original)
What are the fees?
Issue: 100 €
Processing time
4 - 6 weeks
Legal basis
§ Section 45 Residence Ordinance (Fees for the Residence Permit and the EU Blue Card)
§ Section 7 Residence Act (AufenthG) (residence permit)
§ Section 8 Residence Act (AufenthG) (extension of the residence permit)
§ Section 5 Residence Act (AufenthG) (General requirements for issuance)
§ 16 a AufenthG (vocational training), § 17 AufenthG (search for a training place)
What else should I know?
You have a residence permit for other purposes (e.g. for family reasons) or a settlement permit: In this case, you can start training in Germany without an additional residence permit.
If you complete qualified vocational training in Germany, you are allowed to pursue employment of up to 10 hours per week, regardless of the training. After successful completion of the qualified vocational training, the authorities may extend your residence permit by up to one year under certain conditions. During this time
- you may seek employment appropriate to your degree, provided that such employment may be filled by foreign nationals, and
- are allowed to work without restrictions.
Start your request directly online
Who do I need to contact?
- for the issuance of a national visa before entering the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany: the German mission abroad (embassy, consulate)
- after entry: the foreigners authority in whose district you usually reside.
The foreigners authorities in Hesse are the district councils and lord mayors of the independent cities and the cities belonging to the districts with more than 50,000 inhabitants
Tip: A directory of the representations of the Federal Republic of Germany abroad is provided by the Federal Foreign Office on its website.
Directory of the Representations of the Federal Republic of Germany Abroad
Do you live in the northern district: municipality of Willingen (Upland), municipality of Diemelsee, city of Diemelstadt, city of Volkmarsen, city of Bad Arolsen, city of Lichtenfels, city of Bad Wildungen, municipality of Vöhl or in the city of Waldeck? Then you will find the right contact persons for your request here:
First letter surname | Responsible processing |
A - Aln | Kilian Emde |
Aa - Aln | Pascal Kesper |
Alo - Az, H, I, S | Jenta Sesselmann |
B, E, D, U, V, W, X | Detlef Reimann |
B, E, L, Mj - Mz | Jörg Jordan |
Alo - Az, C, G | Eleni Bangert |
C,G | Judith Schlömer |
D,W | Elfi Schäfer |
EU | Gerlinde Plücker |
F, J, K, L, M, N | Larissa horse mackerel |
F, J, Kh - Kz, V, Y, U, X | Franziska Brücher |
H, I, S, Y, UMA | Schlüter, Sabine |
Ka-Kg, 0, P, Q, Z | Marie-Laureen Grabarz |
Ma-Mi, N, UMA | Claudia Jellen |
O, P,Q, R, T, Z | Beate Hocke |
R,T | Monika Plathe |
If you live in the southern district: Gemeinde Edertal, Stadt Frankenau, Stadt Frankenberg (Eder), Gemeinde Allendorf (Eder), Stadt Hatzfeld (Eder), Gemeinde Burgwald, Gemeinde Haina (Kloster), Stadt Gemünden (Wohra) or in the Stradt Rosenthal, you will find your contact persons here:
First letter surname | Responsible processing |
A-K | Carolina Bergener |
A-K | Fatine Atas |
A-K | Gerlinde Schäfer-Vogel |
L-Z | Dominik Stenzel |
L-Z | Andreas Hartmann |