General information

If you intend to study in Germany, to enrol in a German language course or conduct scientific research, you need to apply for a visa.

Australian citizens should apply for a student visa / residence permit after entering Germany at the local immigration authority. This also applies to citizens of Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Only in exceptional circumstances should citizens of these countries apply at the German Consulate General in Sydney before entering Germany.

Citizens of other countries have to apply and obtain the visa prior to entry.

Student Visa

Where can I apply?

• All visa applications in Australia must be lodged in person. Your fingerprints will be electronically scanned as part of the application process.
• Applicants who are residents of any states and territories of Australia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu or Nauru need to make an appointment and submit their application at the Consulate General in Sydney
• The processing time for student visas is approximately four weeks.

Which documents do I have to submit with my application?

(Please provide 2 copies per document)

• 2 completed and signed application forms. 
  Please fill out the online application form, print it out, sign it and submit it along with the other documents.  Please ensure that the barcode is printed in  high quality.
  Alternatively, you can print out the application form below and fill it out by hand.
• 2 recent passport photographs (35 x 45 mm, front facial view, white background)
• your national passport (validity of which has to exceed your stay by at least three months) - original plus 2 copies
• proof of visa status in Australia (if applicable) - 2 copies
• Admission Letter from a University in Germany or conditional Acceptance Letter - original plus 2 copies
• Proof of Language proficiency in which the course will be conducted - original plus 2 copies
• Proof of means of subsistence:

• Evidence of health/travel insurance valid in Germany (including details about coverage: at least € 30,000 and including repatriation costs and including coverage for pandemics like e.g. Covid19. Please highlight relevant passages in the insurance terms and print only the relevant pages) - 2 copies
• prepaid registered mail envelope with your address (if you request return by mail). Please note that the German Missions will not be held responsible for any loss or damage of passports due to postal or courier service delivery.
• visa fee: € 75 by credit card (VISA or MasterCard) or equivalent in cash (AU$). Other payment methods (e.g. with smart watch, mobile phone) not accepted.

PHD and research in Germany

Where can I apply?

• All visa applications in Australia must be lodged in person. Your fingerprints will be electronically scanned as part of the application process.
• Applicants who are residents of any states and territories of Australia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu or Nauru need to make an appointment and submit their application at the Consulate General in Sydney.

Which documents do I have to submit with my application?

(Please provide 2 copies per document)

• 2 completed and signed application forms.
  Please fill out the online application form, print it out, sign it and submit it along with the other documents.  Please ensure that the barcode is printed in  high quality.
  Alternatively, you can print out the application form below and fill it out by hand.
• 2 recent passport photographs (35 x 45 mm, front facial view, white background)
• your national passport (validity of which has to exceed your stay by at least three months) – original plus 2 copies
• proof of visa status in Australia (if applicable) - 2 copies
• Personal covering letter explaining the purpose of your stay in Germany - original plus 1 copy
• No-objection letter of your local university / research institute - original plus 2 copies
• Invitation letter from the German university / research institute confirming conditions of your stay in Germany including payment (scholarship) and health insurance (original plus 2 copies)
• Proof of academic qualification (academic degree certificate) - original plus 2 copies
• Evidence of health/travel insurance valid in Germany (including details about coverage: at least € 30,000 and including repatriation costs; coverage for pandemics like e.g. Covid19. Please highlight relevant passages in the insurance terms and print only the relevant pages) – 2 copies
• prepaid registered mail envelope with your address (if you request return by mail). Please note that the German Missions will not be held responsible for any loss or damage of passports due to postal or courier service delivery.
• visa fee: € 75 by credit card (VISA or MasterCard) or equivalent in cash (AU$). Other payment methods (e.g. with smart watch, mobile phone) not accepted.

Language Course

It has to be distinguished if a language course is taken as a preparation for further studies or if it is a generic language course that does not serve as a preparation for your studies in Germany.

Participation in a generic language course which does not serve as a preparation for further studies can only be granted for a maximum period of one year. An extension of this visa is not possible.

Should you decide to continue your studies directly after the Language course you will have to return to your home country to apply for a Student Permit. It is not possible to apply for a Student Permit directly in Germany.

Where can I apply?

• All visa applications in Australia must be lodged in person. Your fingerprints will be electronically scanned as part of the application process.
• Applicants who are residents of any states and territories of Australia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu or Nauru need to make an appointment and submit their application at the Consulate General in Sydney

Which documents do I have to submit with my application?

(Please provide 2 copies per document)

• 2 completed and signed application forms. 
  Please fill out the online application form, print it out, sign it and submit it along with the other documents.  Please ensure that the barcode is printed in  high quality.
  Alternatively, you can print out the application form below and fill it out by hand.
• 2 recent passport photographs (35 x 45 mm, front facial view, white background)
• your national passport (validity of which has to exceed your stay by at least three months) - original plus 2 copies
• proof of visa status in Australia (if applicable) - 2 copies
• Acceptance Letter from a Language Institution (min 20 hrs/week) - original plus 2 copies
• Curriculum Vitae and proof of your academic qualifications - original plus 2 copies
• Motivation Letter in English or in German - original plus 1 copy
• Proof of previous German language studies (if applicable) - original plus 2 copies
• For a preparatory language course: acceptance letter/conditional acceptance letter from a German University - original plus 2 copies)
• For a preparatory language course: recognized entitlement to university admission (usually a high school diploma or graduation examination certificate) - original plus 2 copies
• Proof of means of subsistence

• evidence of health/ travel insurance valid in Germany (including details about coverage: at least € 30,000 and including repatriation costs; coverage for pandemics like e.g. Covid19. Please highlight relevant passages in the insurance terms and print only the relevant pages) – 2 copies
• prepaid registered mail envelope with your address (if you request return by mail). Please note that the German Missions will not be held responsible for any loss or damage of passports due to postal or courier service delivery.
• visa fee: € 75 by credit card (VISA or MasterCard) or equivalent in cash (AU$). Other payment methods (e.g. with smart watch, mobile phone) not accepted.

Student exchange to Germany

Where can I apply?

• All visa applications in Australia must be lodged in person. Your fingerprints will be electronically scanned as part of the application process.
• Applicants who are residents of any states and territories of Australia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu or Nauru need to make an appointment and submit their application at the Consulate General in Sydney.

Which documents do I have to submit with my application?

(Please provide 2 copies per document)

• 2 completed and signed application forms.
  Please fill out the online application form, print it out, sign it and submit it along with the other documents.  Please ensure that the barcode is printed in  high quality.
  Alternatively, you can print out the application form below and fill it out by hand.
• 2 recent passport photographs (35 x 45 mm, front facial view, white background)
• Your national passport (validity of which has to exceed your stay by at least three months) - original plus 2 copies
• Proof of visa status in Australia (if applicable) - 2 copies
• Parents' consent letter - original plus copy
• Invitation letter from host family in Germany - original plus copy
• Acceptance letter from school in Germany - original plus 2 copies
• No-objection certificate from school in Australia - original plus 2 copies
• Proof of the Exchange Programme (from universities in Australia and Germany) - original plus 2 copies
• Proof of means of subsistence

• Evidence of health/travel insurance valid in Germany (including details about coverage: at least € 30,000 and including repatriation costs; coverage for pandemics like e.g. Covid19. Please highlight relevant passages in the insurance terms and print only the relevant pages) – 2 copies
• prepaid registered mail envelope with your address (if you request return by mail). Please note that the German Missions will not be held responsible for any loss or damage of passports due to postal or courier service delivery.
• visa fee: € 75 by credit card (VISA or MasterCard) or equivalent in cash (AU$). Other payment methods (e.g. with smart watch, mobile phone) not accepted.