You can find out if you need a visa to enter Germany by checking out the list of countries for which a visa is required issued by the Federal Foreign Office. On this multilingual website of the Federal Foreign Office you will find all information on visa applications and what is currently valid for your nationality.
Please apply for your visa in a timely manner with the responsible German representatives, as it may take up to two or three months to process your application. We strongly urges applicants to apply for a student applicant visa immediately following the application deadline by submitting confirmation that their application for admission to university has been received. This ensures that you can enter Germany in time to commence studies if you are accepted to a programme.
Note that the 3-month Schengen visa (tourist visa, visitor’s visa, business visa, visa to attend a language course without the intention of pursuing university study) cannot be converted into a residence permit for the purpose of university study in Germany. In this case, you must leave Germany and reenter with a special student visa issued by the diplomatic mission responsible.
