In order to participate in an intensive German language course unrelated to university studies or participating in vocational training you may apply for a visa permitting a maximum stay of one year.

Should you receive a visa to participate in an intensive German language course, you would be allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week.

General Information

• For preparatory language courses for subsequent studies at a German university, please refer to the information for student visas here.
• For language courses for subsequently participating in a vocational training, please refer to the information for “Employment with vocational training, participating in vocational training, internship” here.
• Under German law, all residents must have sufficient health insurance cover.
• As feedback from authorities in Germany is required for applications of this type, the average processing time is 8 to 12 weeks, sometimes more. Please refrain from requesting status updates during this time.

In order to apply for a visa, you require the following:

• Valid passport (issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least another year as of date of visa application; passports with observations regarding the front data page cannot be accepted) with at least two empty pages
• Application form here & declaration (in accordance with Section 54 of the Residence Act) duly signed
• Declaration for additional contact and legal representation information
• Copy of your passport’s data page (A4 size copy)
• 2 passport photos according to biometric specifications, not older than 6 months
• Language course confirmation letter (Anmeldebestätigung)
  The language covers must be for at least 18 hours per week; a course only at the weekends or at the evenings does not qualify

• Proof of payment for the language course

• Evidence of sufficient funds minimum EUR 1,027 for each month of stay.
  
  Options below may be combined, provided that the total requirement is being met. Please note that NO alternative evidence of funds is acceptable.
  - Blocked account
  OR
  - evidence of scholarship
  OR
  formal commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) by sponsor resident in Germany

• Personal motivation letter in German or English explaining in detail what are your reasons for undertaking a language course, what you expect to achieve by learning German, which level you intend to reach and how the language skills to be acquired will help your personal development/ professional career

• Proof of your knowledge of German, if any.
  - If the intended language course starts at a different level than A1, knowledge of German has to be proven through an acknowledged certificate: Goethe-Institute or telc GmbH (The European Language Certificate) or Austrian Language Diploma (ÖSD)

• Curriculum vitae
  

• Proof of education obtained so far (school leaving certificate, university degree obtained, proof of vocational training or similar)

• Confirmation by previous employer, if any
  

• Proof of health insurance for the duration of your stay
  
  This would have to be ONE of the following documents:
  - Proof of a private German health insurance which fulfills the below mentioned requirements and starts at your tentative travel date
  OR
  - Proof of a public German health insurance, which consists of a letter from your German healthcare provider, as well as a travel health insurance for the first three weeks.
  OR
  - Proof of a private foreign (including Indian) health insurance including the policy you choose which fulfills the below mentioned requirements and starts at your tentative travel date
  
  When does a health insurance meet the requirement of being equivalent to a German public health insurance?
  o No limit to the reimbursement in case of sickness
  o If the insured person becomes sick, no deductible higher than 300 € per year can be demanded
  o Preexisting conditions must be included
  o No clause for termination regarding the insured person reaching a certain age, change of residence permit or loss of residence permit
  o The Insurance cover cannot have any time limit (or needs to be automatically renewed)

• Visa fees

Please prepare two identical sets of the above-mentioned documents and bring any original documents along. Please DO NOT STAPLE any documents.

Please not that the German missions reserve the right to ask for additional documents or an additional interview.

Submission of the above-mentioned documents does not guarantee that a visa is granted. Submission of incomplete documentation or refusal to appear for a visa interview may result in the rejection of your application.

If your application is successful, you will be issued a limited-validity entry visa.
Once you have arrived in Germany please register your new residence with the local authorities (Meldebehörde) within 2 weeks of having moved in and apply to your local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) for your Electronic Residence Permit.
We strongly recommend contacting the local immigration office as soon as possible after your arrival in Germany in order to secure a timely appointment.

Download this information as pdf.