Bundesportal | Apply for a residence permit to participate in language courses or student exchanges

More Information

Publisher

Lower Saxony

Last update or date of publication

November 25, 2022

Contact

The government service telephone number 115 – your point of contact for questions related to the federal, state and local.

Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 18:00 (and beyond these times in some regions).

Call 115 now

Government service telephone number calls are charged at local rates.

If you are a citizen of a non-EU or non-EEA country, you will need

a German language course (intensive language course), which serves to acquire comprehensive German language skills and not to prepare students for their studies, or
a student exchange

a residence permit.

The granting of a residence permit requires that you meet the requirements for issuance and that there are no grounds for refusal.

The duration of an intensive language course must be limited in time. The attendance and follow-up of the course should take up all of your working time (usually daily lessons with a weekly duration of at least 18 lessons). Evening, weekend or part-time language courses are not sufficient.

A student exchange is a temporary school stay, which usually does not exceed one year and is often carried out through student exchange organisations. A privately or commercially organized exchange year is also possible. No direct exchange ("one-to-one") is required to obtain a residence permit (guest students).

Recognised and valid identity document (e.g. passport or passport substitute)
Recent biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
Visa, if required for entry
Proof of securing a livelihood without the use of public benefits (e.g. equity, scholarship certificate, declaration of commitment, blocked account with a bank, bank guarantee, proof of parents' income or similar). For student exchanges, the current BAföG rate (Federal Training Assistance Act) applies as a guideline. In the case of language courses, the BAföG rate plus a surcharge of 10 percent.
Proof of health insurance coverage (e.g. confirmation of health insurance coverage or insurance policy).
In the case of minors: consent of all persons with custody to the planned stay (declaration of consent); if the custodial parents are unable to submit the application jointly on behalf of their child, a written power of attorney from the absent parent is required; if only one parent has custody, the signature of that parent is sufficient

In addition, for attending a language course:

Proof of admission to the language course (e.g. confirmation of registration or contract)
Curriculum vitae in tabular form (if available: certificates, diplomas or proof of already acquired knowledge of the German language.
Letter of motivation stating why the language course should be attended and what plans are being pursued for the time after the language course)

In addition, for participation in a student exchange:

Proof of school attendance (e.g. certificate from the school stating the duration and framework conditions for the student exchange)
Student Exchange Agreement or Contract

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the Foreigners' Registration Office may require less or more proof.

Not specified

Preconditions

Your livelihood is secured for the duration of the language course or student exchange.
You would like to take part in an intensive language course, a student exchange or attend a German school as a guest student.
There is no interest in expulsion against you.

Hints

The granting of a residence permit is at the discretion of the responsible immigration authority. As the applicant, you are therefore only entitled to a decision that is free of discretionary errors.
During your stay to attend a language course, there are no restrictions on changing the purpose of your stay.
After completing language courses that are required for taking up employment or training, the appropriate residence permit can be issued without prior departure.
Following participation in a student exchange, a residence permit for a different purpose of residence may only be issued if a legal entitlement exists.

The timing and form of fee collection and payment vary depending on the authority.

Lower fees may apply for Turkish nationals.

Fee
100.00 EUR
Advance payment
no
for underage applicants
Fee
50.00 EUR
Advance payment
no

Basis for legal action

Section 16f(1) of the Act on the Residence, Employment, and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory (Residence Act—AufenthG)

Legal Remedies

Appeal against the decision of the immigration authority
Legal action before the court named in the notice of objection if the objection is not upheld

An action may be brought before the competent administrative court against a negative decision of the immigration authority.
A preliminary procedure (opposition) does not take place in Lower Saxony.
Detailed information can be found in the rejection decision.

Procedure

Not specified

Deadlines

The duration of your residence permit is issued according to the purpose of your stay, usually one year in the case of a student exchange; in the case of language courses, the duration of the language course determines the period of validity of the residence permit.

Application deadline
8 weeks
You should apply for a residence permit no later than 8 weeks before your current visa expires.
Objection deadline
1 month

Processing time

Not specified