How to apply?

Applications for visas for university studies, including year abroad/exchange placements, studies with preparatory language course have to be submitted via the Consular Services Portal online.

Citizens of Japan, Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland, the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as well as EU citizens may apply for their residence permit after entering Germany without a visa.
Citizens of other countries are required to apply and obtain a residence permit prior to entry at the German Embassy or the German Consulate.

Required Documents

Please make sure to submit all documents in the following order and with necessary copies to ensure a fast processing.

• application form (for long term visa) completely filled in and signed
• declaration, filled in and signed
• one passport photograph, (strict requirements, see details)
• valid national passport, original and one copy of the data pages
  passport must have at least two blank visa-pages, passport may not be older than 10 years
  upon requests, we return the passport on the day of the application, but it needs to be handed in again if the visa will be granted
• valid Japanese residence card/permit original and one copy
  for Japanese nationals: proof of residence

• letter of acceptance of a German university/language school/college including information on the language of instruction, original and one copy

  In case of exchange programm, additionally certificate of enrollment of Japanese university, original and one copy

• Where not confirmed by the university in the admittance notification:
  Proof of the language skills in the language of instruction for the study course, original and one copy
  

• Proof of sufficient funds for tuition, living expenses, etc. in total for one year: 11.904,00 EUR

  992,00 EUR per month (minimum) for the whole stay up to one year needs to be provided. In case of exchange programs, proof of sufficient funds for the time of the intended stay.

  following possibilities:
  1. if applicable, proof of scholarship, original and one copy (confirmation in English or German by the university or foundation, the amount must be sufficient as mentioned above)

  OR

  2. blocked account (Sperrkonto) in Germany, original and one copy

  Amount with a monthly deposit of 992,00 EUR (as of 01.09.2024) resp. total amount for the entire period of your intended stay, or for at least one year 11.904,00 EUR (as of 01.09.2024)

  Please refer to here regarding the blocked account.

  OR

  3. bank account in your name with the required amount, original and one copy

  Please note: in most cases this proof of funds will not be accepted by the Aliens' Authority and a blocked account (Sperrkonto) is required
  

• Proof of valid health insurance upon entry to Germany, original and one copy.

  You should arrange your mandatory health insurance coverage from a German statutory or private health insurance provider (gesetzliche oder private Krankenversicherung) as you must present proof of coverage at the time of enrolment at the German university. A (German or foreign) travel health insurance is not sufficient for enrolment! Address the question of health insurance early on, insurance providers offer special rates for students. Make sure that your health insurance coverage starts from your date of entry into Germany. You should preferably obtain a so-called Incoming-Health Insurance Package that protects you in case of illness from the moment you arrive in Germany and continues, without interruption, as statutory or private health insurance at special student rates.

• return-envelope with your address
  For applicants at the Germany Embassy in Tokyo: Letterpack PLUS (600 yen) – self addressed; Currently, only the return of the passport by post is possible.
  
  For applicants at the German Consulate General in Osaka-Kobe:
  If you wish to receive your passport in return by mail, you can return it by takkyubin cash on delivery. In this case, please enclose a return a self-addressed DIN A4 envelope.
  
• Visa fee for national visa (75 EUR, payable in Japanese yen according to the official exchange rate on the date of application)
  

​​​​​​​Please note:

• In individual cases, you may be required to provide additional documents.
• Although the information on this website has been prepared with utmost care, we cannot accept any responsibility for inaccuracies contained herein.