Visa & Arrival · Germany

Coming to Germany? Start with the route that actually applies to you.

Bachelor's, Master's, Studienkolleg, Opportunity Card, a German job offer, or a family visit — choose your situation first. The documents and process are not identical.

Official German sources linked General process guidance No visa guarantees

Information checked against official German sources on 14 September 2026. Amounts and checklists can change, so the responsible German mission remains the binding source for your application.

Choose your situation

What are you coming to Germany for?

Select one route. We will show only the information relevant to that starting point.

Bachelor's · study purpose

For students starting a Bachelor's degree in Germany

A Bachelor's student normally falls under the study-purpose route. The important part is not the label “Bachelor's visa”; it is whether you have the admission, financing and supporting evidence required for study.

Start with these documents and checks

Valid passport and the current national-visa application requirements for your German mission.
Admission or the relevant admission document from a recognised German higher-education institution.
Proof that your living costs are secured. The official 2026 study reference is €11,904 for one year when using the blocked-account route.
Language proof where your programme or the responsible mission requires it.
Your school and academic documents. If your academic credentials are from India, check the current APS requirement for your exact case.
Health-insurance evidence and any additional documents listed by the mission handling your application.

Official starting point Make it in Germany · Visa for studying ↗

Need help turning the official checklist into your own document plan?

We can help you organise the process and identify what still needs attention. This is practical guidance, not legal or immigration advice.

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Master's · study purpose

For students starting a Master's degree in Germany

Master's applicants use the same broad study-purpose framework as Bachelor's students. What changes is the academic evidence behind the application — especially your previous degree, transcript and admission conditions.

Start with these documents and checks

Valid passport and the current national-visa application requirements for your German mission.
Master's admission or the relevant admission document from the German university.
Bachelor's degree documents, transcript and any academic evidence requested for your case.
Proof of financing. The official 2026 study reference is €11,904 for one year when using a blocked account.
Language evidence where required by the programme or mission.
If your academic credentials are from India, verify whether APS is required and make sure the document sequence fits your timeline.
Health-insurance evidence and any mission-specific supporting documents.

Official starting point Make it in Germany · Visa for studying ↗

Unsure what belongs in your visa file after admission?

We can help you organise the process around your admission, APS/document status and timeline without pretending to control the visa decision.

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Studienkolleg · preparation for university

Your exact route depends on what admission document you already have

A Studienkolleg can be part of study preparation. If you already have the relevant admission or preparatory placement, your route can look different from someone entering Germany to seek a university place first.

Start with these documents and checks

Your school-leaving certificate and evidence showing that you are eligible for the intended university-preparation route.
Studienkolleg, preparatory-course or university documentation showing exactly what you have been admitted or invited to do.
Language evidence at the level required for the route and institution.
Proof of financing for the correct residence purpose. The amount differs between study and study-place-seeking routes.
Passport, application documents, insurance evidence and the current checklist of the responsible German mission.

Official starting points

Federal Foreign Office · Study & preparatory routes ↗ Make it in Germany · Study and study-place search ↗

Not sure which route matches your Studienkolleg document?

We can help you read the process and organise questions for the official source. We do not make the legal eligibility decision.

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Opportunity Card · job search

For qualified applicants coming to Germany to look for work

The Opportunity Card has two entry paths: a qualification already recognised in Germany, or the points route. Do not calculate points until you know which path applies to you.

Start with these documents and checks

Check whether your qualification is already fully recognised in Germany. If yes, the six-point system is not required for that route.
If you use the points route: prove an eligible formal qualification and at least German A1 or English B2, then reach at least six points.
Prepare the qualification evidence required for your route, such as anabin evidence or a Statement of Comparability for a foreign university degree where applicable.
Show that your stay is financially secured. The official 2026 reference is €1,091 net per month through a blocked account, or a qualifying declaration of commitment.
Prepare the passport, application and supporting evidence requested through the official application route.

Initially: up to one year for job search While searching: part-time work up to 20 hours/week Trial work: up to two weeks per employer

Official starting point Make it in Germany · Opportunity Card ↗

Need help making sense of recognition, points and your next step?

A 1:1 can help you organise the practical questions before you spend money or move forward. Official eligibility remains with the competent authorities.

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Working professional · employment

If you have a German job offer, identify the right work route before building the file

There is no single “working professional visa” covering everyone. Depending on your qualification, recognition status, job and salary, the relevant route may be the EU Blue Card, the work visa for qualified professionals, the visa for professionally experienced workers, or another residence title.

Start with these documents and checks

A concrete German job offer or employment contract for a qualifying position.
Your academic or vocational qualification and the recognition/comparability evidence required for the route you are using.
For regulated professions, the required professional licence or evidence that the licensing process is in place.
Employer documents used in the visa process, often including the Declaration of Employment where applicable.
Check whether your route has a salary threshold or other employment-condition requirement. These figures can change each year.
Passport, insurance evidence and the current application checklist for your competent German mission.

Official starting points

Work visa for qualified professionals ↗ EU Blue Card ↗ Federal Foreign Office Visa Navigator ↗

Have a job offer but still cannot see which official route fits?

We can help you structure the practical questions and documents to check. Route eligibility and legal interpretation must come from official or authorised sources.

Request a 1:1 session

Parents & family · short visit

For family visiting a student or working professional in Germany

This section is for a short Schengen visit, generally up to 90 days in any 180-day period. A spouse, child or other family member moving to Germany is a different family-reunification route.

Start with these documents and checks

Visitor's valid passport, Schengen application requirements and appointment/biometrics where applicable.
Evidence showing the purpose and plan of the visit, including an invitation where relevant.
Proof of accommodation and how the trip will be financed.
Travel medical insurance valid for the Schengen area and the full stay, with at least €30,000 minimum coverage.
Evidence supporting the intention to leave the Schengen area before the visa expires, assessed by the mission as part of the application.
Any relationship, employment, financial or travel documents required by the responsible German mission for the visitor's case.

Official starting points

Federal Foreign Office · Schengen short stays ↗ Federal Foreign Office · Invitation & Verpflichtungserklärung ↗

Planning a visit for your parents and unsure what the host should prepare?

We can help you organise the practical document list around the official mission requirements. We cannot guarantee the visitor visa outcome.

Request a 1:1 session

Before you rely on any checklist

The official checklist wins.

Visa rules, financial amounts and local document requirements change. Use this page to understand the structure of your route, then verify the current requirements with the German mission responsible for your application or the Federal Foreign Office's official portals.

Use the official Visa Navigator ↗ Open the Consular Services Portal ↗