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    Student visa guide · Chinese students

    Germany student visa for Chinese students: fee, requirements and processing time

    The National visa for study purposes (Section 16b Residence Act) costs $190 in fees nobody can skip, up to $420 if every situational extra applies.

    About ¥1,280 for the National visa for study purposes (Section 16b Residence Act) at the ExchangeRate-API rate on 18 September 2026. The fee is charged in the destination's currency, so the exact amount moves with the exchange rate.

    By Global Admissions Editorial · Checked against 4 official sources

    What is different when you apply from China

    The general process is on the Germany student visa guide. These are the parts that only apply to you.

    APS certificate is compulsory before the visa decision

    Chinese applicants have their academic documents verified by the Akademische Prüfstelle in Beijing, a service of the culture section of the German Embassy, and the resulting certificate forms part of the student visa file.

    Akademische Prüfstelle (APS) Beijing: German Embassy culture section

    Budget the APS step into your timeline

    Verification happens before the German mission decides the visa, so the APS procedure has to be finished ahead of your visa appointment rather than alongside it. Everything else is the same as for other applicants: admission letter, blocked account of at least EUR 11,904, and language evidence.

    Make it in Germany (Federal Government portal): Visa for studying

    APS certificate

    Applicants whose qualifications come from India, China or Vietnam must have their academic documents verified by the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS) before the German mission will decide the student visa.

    APS India: Academic Evaluation Centre, Science Section of the German Embassy New Delhi

    How much bank balance is required for a Germany student visa from China?

    For the National visa for study purposes (Section 16b Residence Act), Germany asks you to show EUR 11,904. The accepted form is Blocked account (Sperrkonto), scholarship, or declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung), and it covers Twelve months of living costs for a student in 2026. Applicants coming to look for a university place rather than to enroll must show EUR 1,091 a month instead. This is money you show, not money you pay, so it never appears in the fee table above. The figure comes from Make it in Germany (Federal Government portal): Visa for studying, checked August 2026.

    Make it in Germany (Federal Government portal): Visa for studying · checked August 2026

    Germany student visa documents for Chinese applicants

    6documents every applicant provides, and 1 more for Chinese nationals, listed above.

    DocumentWhat it involves
    Letter of admission from a state-recognized higher education institutionYou need admission to a state or state-recognized university, or confirmation of acceptance for a preparatory college (Studienkolleg) or comparable institution, including any preparatory program that comes first. source
    School-leaving certificate qualifying you for German higher educationYour certificate must entitle you to enter higher education in Germany. If it is not recognized as equivalent to the Abitur, you attend a Studienkolleg and sit the Feststellungsprüfung first. source
    Proof of financial resources for the whole stayShow at least EUR 11,904 for 2026, normally through a blocked account, or alternatively a scholarship or a declaration of commitment from a sponsor in Germany. source
    Language skills for your programSome programs require a set level, usually CEFR B2, and you prove it to the German embassy or consulate. The requirement does not apply if a preparatory language course precedes the degree. source
    Blocked account opened with a named beneficiaryYou can open the account at a bank or comparable provider of your choice, in Germany or elsewhere, usually online. Conditions and fees differ between providers, so compare before opening one. source
    Online visa application through the Consular Services PortalRegister on the Federal Foreign Office's Consular Services Portal and apply online, then present the original documents and give biometric data at your appointment. source

    Germany student visa processing time from China

    A residence permit for study purposes is normally issued for an initial two years, and you can request a renewal for a further two years if you have not completed your degree in that time.

    Make it in Germany (Federal Government portal): Visa for studying · checked August 2026

    How to apply for a Germany student visa from China

    1. Secure admission to a German higher education institution

      Apply to a state-recognized university, or to a Studienkolleg if your school-leaving certificate is not recognized as equivalent to the Abitur.

      source
    2. Complete APS verification if your degree is from India, China or Vietnam

      The Academic Evaluation Centre checks your academic documents and issues the certificate that forms part of the visa file. Start early: verification takes at least two weeks, and longer when application volumes are high or the institutions being contacted are slow to respond.

      source
    3. Open a blocked account and fund it

      Pay in at least EUR 11,904 for a twelve-month stay, plus the provider's banking fees. The account is usually opened for a year unless your stay is shorter.

      source
    4. Apply online through the Consular Services Portal

      Register at digital.diplo.de, complete the study visa application, then attend the appointment at the German mission with your original documents to give fingerprints and a photo.

      source
    5. Convert the visa into a residence permit after arrival

      Once in Germany you apply to your local foreigners authority for a residence permit under Section 16b of the Residence Act. It is normally issued for two years initially, and can be renewed for a further two if you have not finished your degree.

      source

    Work rights, dependants and what comes after

    Work rights

    While enrolled you may work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per year, or up to 20 hours a week. Part-time student jobs at the university can be held for an unlimited period. During a stay for seeking a university place the limit is 20 hours a week, plus up to two weeks of trial work.

    source

    After graduation

    After graduating you can apply for a jobseeker residence permit under Section 20 (1) No. 1 of the Residence Act, issued for up to 18 months to find skilled employment. You may work in any occupation while searching, and once you have a qualified job you convert to a residence permit for skilled workers or an EU Blue Card. Graduates can apply for a settlement permit after more than two years of work in Germany.

    source

    Language requirement

    Many degree programs require German at CEFR level B2, and you must prove your language skills to the German embassy or consulate. The requirement is waived where a preparatory language course precedes the degree, and English-taught programs set their own standard.

    source

    Germany student visa for other nationalities

    Student visas for Chinese students elsewhere

    FAQ

    Frequently asked questions

    How much does a Germany student visa cost for Chinese students?
    $190 in mandatory fees for the National visa for study purposes (Section 16b Residence Act). About ¥1,280 for the National visa for study purposes (Section 16b Residence Act) at the ExchangeRate-API rate on 18 September 2026. The fee is charged in the destination's currency, so the exact amount moves with the exchange rate. Situational extras can take it to $420.
    How much bank balance is required for a Germany student visa?
    EUR 11,904, held as Blocked account (Sperrkonto), scholarship, or declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung), covering Twelve months of living costs for a student in 2026. Applicants coming to look for a university place rather than to enroll must show EUR 1,091 a month instead. It is money you show rather than money you pay, so it is separate from the visa fees. The blocked account releases only a set amount each month, so the money cannot be withdrawn in one go at the start of your stay. You name the German mission abroad or the local foreigners authority as account beneficiary, though they cannot withdraw your money, and banking fees are charged on top of the blocked amount. A scholarship or a declaration of commitment from a sponsor in Germany can replace the blocked account. Source: Make it in Germany (Federal Government portal): Visa for studying (August 2026).
    Can you work on a Germany student visa?
    While enrolled you may work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per year, or up to 20 hours a week. Part-time student jobs at the university can be held for an unlimited period. During a stay for seeking a university place the limit is 20 hours a week, plus up to two weeks of trial work. Source: Make it in Germany (Federal Government portal): Visa for studying (August 2026).
    How long does a Germany student visa take?
    A residence permit for study purposes is normally issued for an initial two years, and you can request a renewal for a further two years if you have not completed your degree in that time. Source: Make it in Germany (Federal Government portal): Visa for studying (August 2026).

    Official sources

    Proof of funds: EUR 11,904, Make it in Germany (Federal Government portal): Visa for studying.