VISAHJELP

University studies (long-term)

National (long-stay) visa for full-time studies at a German university under § 16b of the Residence Act, including the preparatory study path (Studienkolleg / preparatory language course) and the study-application path. Approval depends on a university admission decision, sufficient financing (at least 992 EUR/month, or 1091 EUR/month for study applicants, proven a year in advance), and — depending on the application track — an APS certificate.

LAST VERIFIED · 2026-05-02 SOURCE: Auswärtiges Amt · Independent · not affiliated

From Auswärtiges Amt

“The visa decision is made by the German consular post in Vietnam. Student-visa applications typically require the consent of the German foreigners-authority (Ausländerbehörde) responsible for the future place of study. Incomplete applications can prolong processing or lead to a refusal. False or incomplete information in the visa procedure can constitute grounds for expulsion.”
— Federal Foreign Office of Germany · German diplomatic missions

What you need

  • You must show university admission (unconditional admission letter, Studienkolleg admission, or study-place reservation), language proof where the university has not yet checked it (B2 CEFR for direct admission, B1 CEFR for the preparatory year), an APS certificate (unless an unconditional admission letter is presented), a tabular CV, a motivation letter, financial proof (blocked account with at least 11,904 EUR for one year — or a Verpflichtungserklärung, or a scholarship), and medical-insurance cover for entry (at least three months from your intended entry date).

Checklist

19
01

Application and identity

  • Application form for national visas, completely filled out and signed by the applicant (online application form via VIDEX) *
  • Two recent biometric passport photos (45 mm x 35 mm) (photo specifications template) *
  • Valid passport (or a recognised substitute travel document) *
02

Study-specific documents

a) University admission — direct study

  • Unconditional admission letter from a German university
  • If no APS certificate is submitted: bachelor's or master's degree certificate
  • If your language skills were not checked by the educational institution during the admission decision: proof of the language skills required for the specific course of study, by way of a language certificate from an ALTE-accredited examiner (typically at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
  • Exchange students must submit the partnership agreement between the Vietnamese and the German university

b) Preparatory year (Studienkolleg / pre-study language course)

  • Unconditional admission letter from a Studienkolleg or confirmation of attendance at a pre-study language course
  • Proof of the language skills required to attend the preparatory programme, by way of a language certificate from an ALTE-accredited examiner (typically at least level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)

c) Study application (applying for admission)

  • Study-place reservation from a university OR applicant confirmation OR "final notification" (Endgültige Mitteilung) from uni-assist OR invitation to a Studienkolleg entrance exam
  • Proof of language skills in the language of instruction, by way of a language certificate from an ALTE-accredited examiner (typically at least level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
03

Academic qualifications and pre-study background

  • Certificate or confirmation from the APS. Only not required if an unconditional admission letter from a German university is submitted
  • TestAS certificate. Not required if an APS certificate and/or an unconditional admission letter from a German university is submitted
  • Tabular and complete CV. In particular setting out your education and any employment to date *
  • Motivation letter. Self-written explanation, in writing, of your motivation for the planned course of study *
04

Proof of financing

a) Sponsor's declaration (Verpflichtungserklärung)

  • Formal sponsor's declaration under §§ 66, 68 of the Residence Act. Proof that a third party covers the costs, with reference to the intended purpose of stay, on the national form (so-called Verpflichtungserklärung)

b) Blocked account

  • Opening a blocked account (Sperrkonto). Living costs during the visa procedure can be proven by setting up a blocked account. You are free to choose the provider

c) Scholarship

  • Sufficiently high scholarship. Written confirmation of a scholarship awarded from German public funds, or from a funding organisation recognised in Germany, or from public funds of the home country, where placement at the German university was arranged via the Federal Foreign Office, the DAAD, or another organisation that awards German scholarships
05

Medical insurance

  • Proof of adequate medical insurance for entry, valid from your intended entry date and for at least three months *

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