Study visa & funding for international students

To apply for a visa for study purposes, contact the German diplomatic mission or consulate in your home country to find out which documents are required. In any case, you should be able to present

• The letter from uni-assist confirming your admission to university or
• the letter of admission from Fachhochschule Dortmund or
• an applicant confirmation from Fachhochschule Dortmund if no letter of admission with a long-term enrollment period can be provided; the issuance of an applicant confirmation requires that an application has already been forwarded electronically to Fachhochschule Dortmund by uni-assist,
• proof of sufficient financial means to study in Germany.

The German immigration authorities will not issue a residence permit for study purposes if applicants enter the country on a visit visa. Citizens of the EU, EFTA, Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Honduras, Monaco, San Marino and the USA are exempt from these regulations.

To apply for or extend a visa or residence permit for Germany, you will need proof of financial means. This should prove that you have sufficient funds to finance your stay in Germany.

You must provide proof of funds in the amount of the maximum BAföG funding rate. Since the winter semester 2024/25, this is EUR 992 per month, i.e. a total of EUR 11,904 for one year.

There are various ways of proving that you can finance your studies in Germany. The following forms are possible: