Visa for a German language course

A language course visa is for people who want to come to Germany to take part in an intensive German course. The official guidance says this is for an isolated German intensive course, and the course must meet specific conditions 123. After arrival, you must register your address and then apply for a residence permit with the local foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) 3.

Who needs this

• You need this procedure if you want to attend an intensive language course (Intensivsprachkurs) in Germany 123.
• The course must last at least 3 months and up to 12 months 3.
• The course must have at least 18 teaching hours per week 23.
• Weekend or evening classes do not count as intensive courses 3.
• If you are under 18, your legal representative must sign the application, and consent from the person or persons with parental responsibility is required 23.

Step by step

1. Choose an intensive language course in Germany that meets the requirements 23.
2. Pay the course fees before you apply for the visa and keep proof of payment 3.
3. Prepare the visa application form, sign it, and gather the required documents 3.
4. Book an appointment through the visa appointment system for Hanoi or Ho-Chi-Minh City 3.
5. Submit your application in person at the German mission 3.
6. After entering Germany, register your address within 2 weeks 3.
7. Contact the local foreigners authority at your place of residence in Germany to apply for your residence permit 3.

Documents

• Completed and signed application form (VIDEX) 3.
• 2 recent biometric passport photos, 45 mm x 35 mm 3.
• Passport with at least 2 blank pages 3.
• Proof of enrolment in an intensive language course for at least 3 months and up to 12 months, with at least 18 teaching hours per week 3.
• Proof that the course fees have already been paid 3.
• Tabular curriculum vitae with your education and work history 3.
• A self-written letter explaining why you want to attend a language course in Germany and what it means for your future 3.
• Proof of German language knowledge, if you already have it, with a certificate from an approved provider such as Goethe-Institut, telc, ÖSD, TestDaF, or ECL 3.
• Proof of secured living expenses, either a blocked account (Sperrkonto) with 1,091 euro per month or a formal obligation letter (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a sponsor in Germany with proven financial capacity 3.
• Proof of health insurance that meets the listed requirements 3.

Cost and time

• The visa fee is 75 euro, or 37.50 euro for applicants under 18 3.
• The fee is paid in Vietnamese dong 3.
• The processing time is not guaranteed 3.

Deadlines

• Apply with enough lead time before your planned entry 3.
• Register your address in Germany within 2 weeks after moving in 3.

City by city

• Hanoi: You can book an appointment through the visa appointment system for the German Embassy in Hanoi 3.
• Ho-Chi-Minh City: You can book an appointment through the visa appointment system for the German Consulate General in Ho-Chi-Minh City 3.