We generally recommend that all applicants who require a visa apply for a Student Applicant Visa at an early stage. A Student Applicant Visa may also be useful if you are eligible to enter Germany without a visa but are not yet able to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of studying. Please check https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/231148-231148 to see which group you belong to.
Student Applicant Visa
As soon as you have applied at the HfM or an other Hochschule or University, you may apply for a Student Applicant Visa. This visa is usually issued for three months, but it can be extended for up to nine months.
Once you receive admission to a study program, you can convert your visa directly in Germany into a residence permit for study purposes — you do not need to leave the country.
A Student Applicant Visa is not limited to a specific place of residence, Hochschule or university, or degree program. You may wait to see which additional admissions you receive and then apply for a residence permit for study purposes at the local immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde) in your chosen place of study, using the certificate of enrollment from your university.
If your university application is unsuccessful, you must leave Germany before your visa or residence permit expires. Therefore, make sure to collect and prepare all required documents in advance.
Further information: https://digital.diplo.de/navigator/en/visa
For visa applications, the confirmation of receipt or invitation from the muvac platform serves as proof of your application.
