Administrative services A-Z

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes

If you are a citizen of a third country - i.e. you do not come from an EU or EEA country - and would like to attend a general school in Germany, you can apply for a residence permit to attend school.

The Foreigners' Registration Office will issue the residence permit for the duration of the planned school attendance if the requirements are met and no reasons for refusal are apparent.

The granting of a residence permit requires, among other things, that school attendance is the main purpose of your stay. A mere part-time school education does not meet these requirements.

• You want to attend a public or state-recognized school with an international focus or a private school that prepares its students for international degrees, degrees from other countries, or state-recognized degrees (such as the International Baccalaureate [IB]).
• Your selected school ensures school classes with a composition of students from different nationalities.
• You want to attend at least the ninth grade level.
• You are able to secure your living expenses and health insurance coverage for the duration of your stay from your own resources without recourse to public benefits. The current BAföG rate (Federal Training Assistance Act) is used as a guideline.
• There is no interest in deportation against you.

• Recognized and valid identity document (for example passport or passport substitute)
• Current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of livelihood (for example, from own assets, payment of a security deposit into a blocked account, bank guarantee, letter of commitment, scholarship, proof of parents' income or similar)
• Proof of health insurance coverage (for example, confirmation of health insurance coverage or insurance policy).
• Certificate from the school stating the duration and general conditions of school attendance.
• In the case of minors: Consent of all persons entitled to custody to the planned school attendance (declaration of consent); if the parents entitled to custody cannot submit the application jointly for their child, a written power of attorney of the absent parent is required; if only one parent is entitled to custody, the signature of this parent is sufficient.

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the Aliens' Registration Office may require less or further proof.

Cost amount (fixed):

• 100,00 Euro for adult applicants
• 50,00 Euro for underage applicants

Remark:

For the issuance of a residence permit in the form of the electronic residence permit (eAT card), which can also be used as an electronic proof of identity, additional fees may apply.

The timing as well as the form of fee collection and payment vary depending on the authority.

In certain cases, fee reductions or exemptions may be considered (for example, for persons entitled to asylum or recognized refugees). Lower fees may apply for Turkish nationals

• § Section 45 Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)
• § Section 50 Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)

• The residence permit must be applied for before your visa or visa-free residence period ends.
• Find out whether your foreigners authority allows you to apply online or has a special application form.
• If you have not yet reached the age of 18, you may not submit the application yourself, but require a representative (usually the application is submitted by the custodial parent).
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment at the Aliens' Registration Office. In the case of online application, the Aliens' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• If you are under the age of 18, you must be accompanied by at least one representative at the personal appointment. If the custodial parent cannot appear in person, a written power of attorney for the application must be provided.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be verified (please bring your documents, originals if possible, to the appointment).
• If your application is granted, your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the residence permit in the form of an electronic residence title (eAT card).
• The Foreigners' Registration Office will order the production of the eAT card from the Bundesdruckerei. After completion, you will receive information and can pick up the eAT card at the responsible office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

Responsible in the state of Brandenburg is the immigration authority of the district/independent city

Duration: 6 weeks to 8 weeks

Remark (for more information about the deadline):

The residence permit should be applied for at least eight weeks before the expiration of your still valid visa or visa-free period.

Remark (for more information on the deadline):

The residence permit is issued for the duration of the planned school attendance, for example until the completion of the educational measure.

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence

Responsible in the state of Brandenburg is the immigration authority of the district/independent city

• § Section 16f (2) Residence Act
• § Section 5 Residence Act (AufenthG)

• While holding the residence permit, gainful employment is not permitted. An exception may exist under certain circumstances for the time of vacations.
• During the stay for school attendance, i.e. until the successful completion of the educational measure and handing over of the corresponding graduation certificate, a residence permit for another purpose of stay should generally only be granted if there is a legal entitlement (for example for family reunification or for studying).
• If you have attended school in Germany while in possession of another residence title, this does not yet justify the issuance of a residence permit for school attendance.
• The procedure is usually conducted in German.
• All information provided to the Aliens' Registration Office should be correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that the request can be processed without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be disadvantageous for the person concerned. In a serious case, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in time vis-à-vis the Aliens Department may result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years, or expulsion from the Federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of the right of residence, this description is for information purposes only and is not legally binding.

Ministry of the Interior and for Municipal Affairs of the State of Brandenburg