National Visa: Language Course Visa (§16f)

Good German language skills are crucial for successful professional integration in Germany. The language course visa according to §16f enables entry and residence for intensive German courses.

Duration of stay

The visa for language course attendance is issued for the duration of the booked language course, but for a maximum of twelve months. An extension is generally possible, so that the total stay can amount to up to two years. After entry to Germany, a residence permit must be applied for at the responsible immigration office.

Employment

Side employment of up to 20 hours per week is permitted with the language visa. This regulation facilitates interaction with German speakers, accelerates language acquisition, and allows for partial financing of living expenses during language learning.

Requirements for issuance

The diplomatic mission examines whether the following conditions are met:

• Registration for an intensive German language course with at least 18 course hours per week – evening and weekend courses are not sufficient.
• Payment confirmation for the booked language course.
• Sufficient financial means for the entire duration of stay.
  Important note: An ongoing or completed recognition procedure for a professional qualification can support visa issuance but is not a mandatory requirement. Some German diplomatic missions also require a specific minimum level in German. Which proof of language proficiency is required in individual cases depends on the competent diplomatic mission in the home country.

Application submission

The application is submitted in person at the German embassy or consulate in the home country. Scheduling an appointment is generally required in advance. Further information on scheduling and attending the on-site appointment at a German embassy is available here.

Application form

The visa application form can be filled out online and then brought as a printout to the on-site appointment. The application form D is available for download here.

A detailed guide for correct completion of the form can be found here.

Required documents

The following documents must be submitted for the application. To avoid additional requests and delays, all required documents should be checked for completeness:

• Completed and signed application form D
• Valid passport (valid at least until the end of the planned stay)
  
• Biometric, recent passport photo
• Registration confirmation for an intensive German language course with at least 18 hours per week
• Payment confirmation for the language course
• Proof of financial means
• Proof of health insurance
• If available: Proof of an ongoing or finalized process of recognition
• Curriculum vitae
• Motivation letter

Detailed information on proof of financial means and choosing the right health insurance as well as support in preparing a curriculum vitae and motivation letter for the application can be found in the respective articles.

Plausibility, practical tips, and time frame for application

When submitting the application, it is important to present a comprehensible plan that clearly outlines the visa purpose. For the language visa, this means: A concrete language learning plan should be in place that shows which language level is intended and how language acquisition should be structured. The plan should be realistic and implementable within a maximum of twelve months. If side employment is planned, this can also be mentioned in the application.

An important proof is the registration confirmation for an intensive German language course, which underscores the commitment to build up German language skills immediately after entry. The registration confirmation should contain all essential information: language level of the course, start date, weekly hours, total duration, and payment confirmation. The course must be booked at a reputable language school as in-person instruction – no online courses – and must comprise at least 18 hours per week. The course start should be shortly after the planned visa issuance, and the institution should be located at a reasonable distance from the stated place of residence.

Regarding the choice of language level: The booked course should correspond to the next higher level. The specific requirements for this proof may vary depending on the embassy – preliminary research at the competent diplomatic mission is therefore recommended. Also crucial is proof that financing is secured for the entire duration of stay, including course fees.

The application should be submitted several months before the planned course start, as processing times can vary. Early appointment scheduling is particularly important before course start.

Processing time and fees

Processing of a national visa typically takes between six and eight weeks. In individual cases, processing may take longer. The fee for a national visa is currently 75 euros. It is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the procedure. More information on processing times of the visa application can be found here.