Requirements, procedure and suitable German language courses for the visa
Do you want to come to Germany on a language visa but need to find an appropriate German course?
If so, you’re likely asking yourself questions like: What paperwork do I need to apply? What documents do I need from my language school? Which course is actually suitable for my needs?
You’ll find answers to all these questions and learn how we can support you here.
What is a language visa?
Language visas: an overview
- Visa for Germany giving you permission to stay and learn the language here
- Required for many non-EU nationals
- Enrolment at a language school is required
- You need an official letter of admission or course contract to apply
A language visa (visa for language acquisition) allows you to enter Germany to attend a German language course.
Many people use this opportunity to improve their language skills and prepare for the next step in their career, such as a degree programme, vocational training or entering the labour market.
Whether you need a visa for Germany at all depends on your nationality. Citizens of the EU and a few other countries can enter without a visa. For everyone else, a visa is required, including if the purpose of your stay is to learn German. You can find out the exact entry requirements from the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
Documents and procedure for getting your language visa for Germany
To apply for a language visa for Germany, you’ll need specific documents from a language school confirming your enrolment on a course in Germany.
Here are the key steps to prepare your visa application for a language course in Germany:
Select a suitable German language course. It must be taught in-person with regular lessons. This then forms the basis for your visa application. Our intensive courses are specifically designed to meet the requirements. You can find an overview of our current course offerings in Chemnitz and Dresden here.
Send us your enquiry with the key details (name of the course, dates and your personal details). You’re welcome to use our enquiry form for this. We’ll then contact you by email, inform you of the next steps and send you the payment details for the processing fee.
Once payment has been received, we’ll issue the necessary documents containing the course details you’ll need for your visa application. These documents are specifically designed for submission to the embassy.
You’ll receive all the documents you need as PDF files via email and can submit them directly to your embassy for your visa application.
Important: Embassies don’t usually recognise the automatic confirmation email you receive after registering for our courses online as an official document. You’ll need a separate letter for your visa application, which we will issue for you on request.
We charge a processing fee of €100 for issuing the confirmation of admission and/or the language course contract. We will email you the payment details once we have received your request.
German courses to qualify you for a language visa for Germany
To qualify you for a language visa for Germany, your course must have regular, in-person lessons and a clearly defined number of teaching hours.
Our intensive courses are specifically designed to meet the requirements for language course visas for Germany. Lessons take place from Monday to Friday and follow a structured programme that takes you from A1 to C1 level.
All courses conclude with an exam and a certificate in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). You can take TELC exam if you choose to, but this will incur an additional fee. It’s best to check directly with your embassy in advance to confirm whether they recognise a specific course.
Unser aktuelles Sprachkursangebot
The benefits and advantages of a language visa with SprachUnion
The benefits of choosing us
Structured intensive courses that meet visa requirements
Everything can be organised entirely from abroad before you arrive
Documents issued quickly and reliably
Personal support and communication in English
Excellent local conditions
We offer German courses that comply with the requirements for obtaining language visas for Germany in both Chemnitz and Dresden. Both locations are great places to live in during your stay.
- Chemnitz: Quieter than many major cities and offers a pleasant learning environment. The cost of living is also comparatively low, making it easier to plan your stay.
- Dresden: Slightly larger and livelier, but not overwhelming. Many previous students have told us they appreciate the good infrastructure and the balanced mix of learning and ways to spend your leisure time.
Compared to major cities like Berlin and Munich, the cost of living is significantly lower in both Chemnitz and Dresden. They also make great bases for visiting other cities by train and public transport. Courses here are generally more personalised, helping you to settle in more quickly.
For many people, a language visa is the first step towards staying in Germany long-term.
It can serve as your point of entry for:
- Studying at a German university
- Starting vocational training
- Entering the labour market
At the end of your course, you’ll receive a certificate based on the Common European Framework of Reference. You also have the option to take TELC exams, which are recognised in many sectors.
Frequently asked questions about language visas for Germany
That depends on your nationality. EU citizens and nationals of certain other countries do not require a visa. For everyone else, a visa for Germany is required for language study if the primary purpose of your stay is to learn German. If in doubt, please contact the German Embassy in your country.
The visa fee is charged by the German Embassy and is usually €75. In addition, there is our processing fee of €100 for issuing confirmation of your language course registration.
You must submit your application to the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country. In addition to the documents provided by us, you’ll generally need a valid passport, a completed application form and proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself for the duration of your stay. You can get the exact list of the documents required directly from your embassy.
Depending on the country and embassy, processing times can range from several weeks to several months. We recommend submitting your application well in advance.
Yes, in most cases you must provide proof of having booked a language course before submitting your application.
Our courses and final exams are based on the CEFR. However, if you wish, you can also take TELC exams with us. TELC certificates are widely recognised in Germany and are frequently accepted for study, training and employment. We highly recommend you check which qualifications are required for your destination.
Yes, we’ll send you the letter of admission and the language course contract as a PDF via email.
Your contact person for language visas and German courses
If you have any questions about our German courses or the documents required for a visa application, our team will be happy to assist you. For an initial enquiry, you can simply use our contact form.
Michelle Klein
Project Management
Tel.: +49 (0)371 646 138 14
Fax: +49 (0)371 646 138 49
sprachkurse@sprachunion.de
Contact form for your language visa for Germany
If you need confirmation of enrolment or a language course contract for your visa application, or if you are interested in attending an intensive course, you can contact us directly using the form.
Alternatively, you can reach us by email or phone.
We’ll get back to you as soon as possible and help you with the next steps.
Location Chemnitz
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Technologie Centrum Chemnitz
4. Etage, Raum A416
Annaberger Str. 240
09125 Chemnitz - 0371 6461380
- chemnitz@sprachunion.de
Location Berlin
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Hussitenstraße 17
13355 Berlin-Wedding - 030 213000370
- berlin@sprachunion.de
Location Leipzig
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Schletterstraße 18
04107 Leipzig - 0341 39292480
- leipzig@sprachunion.de
Location Dresden (classrooms only, no on-site office)
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Falkenbrunnen, Chemnitzer Str. 48
01187 Dresden - 0371 6461380
- dresden@sprachunion.de