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Preparatory Measure before Higher-Education Enrolment

GermanyStudy

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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What education or training is this pathway designed for?

This route covers preparatory measures before enrolment in higher education, such as language courses or preparatory courses for university admission (covered by the Section 16b study residence permit).

See recorded sources

What type of institution/course must accept or enrol the applicant?

The measure must be either a preparatory language course where the applicant has been accepted for full-time studies conditional on attending it, or a preparatory/comparable course for which acceptance must be proven.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • AufenthG cited from the official English translation current to the Act of 8 May 2024; later amendments not reflected and the German text governs
  • https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_aufenthg/englisch_aufenthg.html
    1.  attending a language course to prepare for studies, if the foreigner has been accepted for full-time studies and the acceptance depends on the foreigner attending the preparatory language course, and 2.  attending a preparatory or comparable course prior to studying, if the foreigner can prove that he or she has been accepted for the preparatory or comparable course.

What are the most important financial or study-related conditions: tuition, funds, insurance, full-time study, attendance or equivalent?

Living costs must be covered for the study programme, e.g. via a blocked account of at least EUR 11,904 (2026), a scholarship or a declaration of commitment; specific language proof is only required if not tested at acceptance and language acquisition is not the aim of the preparatory measure. The official source does not state an insurance condition.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • blocked-account figure is stated for the study visa generally, not specifically for preparatory measures
  • insurance condition not stated
  • AufenthG cited from the official English translation current to the Act of 8 May 2024; later amendments not reflected and the German text governs

Can the student work? Under what major restrictions? What is the family position where clearly stated?

Employment is limited to a total of 140 working days per year (working-day account); student jobs are not counted. The official source does not state the family position.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • family position not stated in the captured sources
  • AufenthG cited from the official English translation current to the Act of 8 May 2024; later amendments not reflected and the German text governs

How long does the status last, how is it renewed, and what officially documented post-study work or residence possibilities exist?

Study residence permits are usually issued for two years initially and can be renewed for a further two years if the degree is not yet obtained; after graduation a job-seeker permit of up to 18 months is available.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • duration specific to the preparatory phase is not separately stated
  • https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/studying
    Residence permits for study purposes are usually issued for an initial period of two years. If you have not obtained your degree within this period, you can request to have your residence permit renewed for a further two years.
  • https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/studying
    After successfully completing your degree, you can extend your stay in Germany by applying for a residence permit for jobseekers under Section 20 (1) No. 1 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) (External link) <desc>box with arrow to the right</desc> . The residence permit is issued for up to 18 months as a means of finding skilled employment in Germany.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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