General information

The following information applies to persons who wish to stay in Germany for the purpose of applying to study (i.e., for example, to take an entrance test for a “Studienkolleg”), preparing for study (i.e., taking a language course that prepares students for study or attending a “Studienkolleg”), or studying at a university (bachelor's, master's, or PhD studies). The issuance of a visa to applicants preparing for study and studying at a university is based on the requirements set out in Section 16b of the German Residence Act (AufenthG); the issuance of a visa to applicants applying to study is based on the requirements set out in Section 17 (2) AufenthG.

Online application and appointment booking via the consular services portal

You can apply for the study visa online via the Federal Foreign Office's consular services portal. After uploading the application and documents, your information and documents will be checked for completeness and any questions will be clarified with you directly via the consular services portal. Once all documents have been checked online, you will receive an invitation link to book an appointment via the consular services portal.

At the subsequent appointment at the external service provider TLScontact, your identity will be verified, your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) recorded, the visa fee has to be paid and your original documents as requested via the consular services portal have to be presented.

Apply online now!

Basic information

• You have to submit your visa application for the purpose of studies to the external service provider TLScontact. Information about the services TLScontact offers and how to make appointments can be found in German and English on the TLScontact website.
• All application documents must be submitted in original with 1 copy if you decide to submit your study visa application in paper form and not online. You also have to sort the documents in the order listed below then.
• Documents not in the German or English language must be submitted with a certified German or English translation.
• The Embassy reserves the right to request additional documents in individual cases.
• Incomplete application forms as well as applications with incomplete documents will delay processing and may lead to rejection of the application.
• Processing time is as a rule ca. 1 to 2 months but can take longer in individual cases.
• Please do not contact the mission abroad to check the status of your application during the normal processing period. Such inquiries are extremely time-consuming for the visa section and can thus not be answered.

For your application we require the following documents:

1. Passport and 1 copy of the data page. If you are a foreigner residing in Kenya, Burundi, Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan or the Seychelles, you have to show a valid residence permit for the country of residence.
2. 1 completed and duly signed application form. A digital application form to be completed online can be found on https://videx-national.diplo.de
3. 2 current, identical biometric passport photos with a white background
4. Specific documents for direct admission, preparation for studies or application for studies
   1. Direct admission: unconditional letter of admission from a German university. The letter of admission must indicate the language in which the studies will be conducted.
   2. Study preparation: Conditional notification of admission from a German university AND/OR unconditional notification of admission from a German Studienkolleg AND/OR registration for a study-preparatory language course.
   3. Application for studies: Reservation of a place at a university OR confirmation of application (“Bewerberbestätigung”) OR final notification (“endgültige Mitteilung”) from uni-assist OR invitation to take part in the admission test to the preparatory course at the Studienkolleg
5. Proof of financing of the stay by one of these options:

   1. Blocked account for the first year of your stay: Certificate of a bank in Germany about a deposit of 11.904,-- Euro for one year - equivalent to 992,-- Euro per month. Open the blocked account in good time BEFORE you apply for a visa. When applying for a visa, only the official confirmation of the opening of the account including information on the amount paid in and the amount available per month will be accepted. A confirmation which does not include this information is not sufficient. Proof of lodgement or transfer of funds without the aforementioned confirmation from the bank is not sufficient. Providers of blocked accounts can be found through an internet search

      OR

   2. Formal obligation letter (“Verpflichtungserklärung”) by sponsor living in Germany with the creditworthiness (“Bonität”) “proven” (“nachgewiesen”) according to Sections 66 to 68 AufenthG for the entire stay (not older than six months at the time of application)

      OR

   3. Scholarship confirmation, stating the duration and the amount of the monthly payment (minmum amount: 11.904,-- Euro for one year - corresponds to 992,-- Euro per month). If the scholarship is less than 992,-- Euro per month, then the missing amount must be made up by a blocked account.

      If the university in Germany charges tuition fees, then proof of payment of tuition fees for the first year of study must be provided or the blocked account must be increased by the amount of tuition fees.

6. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, training or school diplomas, the transcript of records, as well as confirmations from the university, if studies were started but not completed. It is not necessary to submit the elementary school diploma. The above documents must be submitted in original.

   Special case for Eritrean students: your Eritrean university certificate must contain a confirmation from the Eritrean “Higher Board of Education” as well as a certification note from the Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs

7. Depending on the language of study, proof of German or English language skills (usually at B2 level) by presenting a recognized language certificate (in Kenya: Goethe-Institut, ÖSD, IELTS or TOEFL) - unless the German university has already tested the language skills during the admission procedure (this must be explicitly stated in the admission letter). If you have already studied in Kenya (in English), then the submission of a language certificate for English at the university and thus also at the Embassy is usually not required (this must also be explicitly stated in the admission letter)
8. Curriculum vitae in German or English, gapless
9. A conclusive letter of motivation in German or English, written by yourself, detailing the reason for the chosen studies subject, chosen university and what consequences you envision the studies will have on your future
10. Proof of incoming health insurance coverage, valid for three months beginning with date of entry to Germany
11. Visa fee in the amount 75 Euros, payable In Kenyan Shillings

This fact sheet reflects the legal situation at the time of drafting it. It is regularly updated but makes no claim to be complete. Authoritative version of the fact sheet is the German version.