Germany student visa guide
The German student visa under Section 16b of the Residence Act lets admitted students live in Germany for full-time degree study, with a blocked account proving they can support themselves.
Germany issues the residence title for study purposes under Section 16b AufenthG. You apply at the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country once a university has admitted you, and the mission forwards the file to the local foreigners authority that will issue your residence permit after arrival. The headline requirement is proof of funding for the first year, currently set at 11,904 euros, which most applicants demonstrate through a blocked account known as a Sperrkonto opened with a provider such as Fintiba or Coracle.
Alongside funds, you must show your admission letter, valid health insurance, academic certificates, and language evidence: German at roughly B1 level or IELTS 6.0 and above for English-taught programmes. Applicants from India, China, and Vietnam must also clear the APS certificate before applying to German universities, so build that step into your timeline early.
Setting up your Sperrkonto and financial proof
The blocked account is the centrepiece of the German application. You deposit the full first-year sum of 11,904 euros, and the account then releases roughly one twelfth to you each month once you are in Germany, which is how the consulate is satisfied you can cover living costs without illegal work. Providers like Fintiba and Coracle are popular because they bundle the blocked account with the mandatory health insurance the embassy also wants to see.
Open the account well before your appointment, because the deposit and confirmation can take a week or more to clear. Our team supports students through the Sperrkonto process at no charge, including document checks for APS where it applies.
Processing time and work rights
Plan for processing of around eight to twelve weeks at the embassy, and book your appointment as soon as you hold your admission letter, since slots fill quickly in peak season. During study you may work 140 full days or 280 half days per year, and after graduation you can apply for an 18-month job-seeker visa to find work in your field.
Common reasons for delay or refusal include an underfunded or wrongly configured blocked account, missing APS certification, weak language evidence, or gaps in your academic record, so prepare every document carefully before you submit.
Visa facts at a glance
APS certificate required for applicants from India, China, and Vietnam before applying to German universities.
| Visa type | Student Visa § 16b AufenthG |
| Issuing authority | German Embassy / Consulate |
| Processing time | 8–12 weeks |
| Financial proof | €11,904/year (Fintiba / Coracle) |
| Language requirement | German B1 or IELTS 6.0+ (English programmes) |
| Post-study work | 18-month job-seeker visa after graduation |
Visa application steps
- 1
Receive your admission letter
Apply to a Germany university and obtain your acceptance — we help you choose programmes and apply.
- 2
Prepare financial proof
Arrange evidence of €11,904/year (Fintiba / Coracle) as required by the German Embassy / Consulate.
- 3
Gather documents
Passport, admission letter, language certificate, photos and the visa application form.
- 4
Submit & attend appointment
Submit your Student Visa § 16b AufenthG application and attend any interview. Processing takes about 8–12 weeks.