Language course and student visas for U.S. citizen

Hello,

I am planning on moving to Germany in December and the visa information is a little confusing. What I am planning on doing is going to a language school to get my language certificate so I can go to the studienkolleg next fall. I was planning on taking a 16 week language course, in the middle applying to the studienkolleg, and then after the language course, getting a job and saving up so I could afford to go to the studienkolleg. While, I do have the financial means to do everything, it would be nice to get a job and work in Germany while I am waiting to start at the studienkolleg.

The problem I am having is that I don't know if I need a visa or what visas I need to get. The language course is longer than 90 days, so I was planning on getting a Language Course Visa from beginning of the language course until the end...and then I was planning on getting the Student Applicant Visa and if I get accepted to the Studienkolleg, then turning that into a Student Visa.

now, the question I have is, can I get these visas in germany or do i have to get them in the united states? or do i have to get the language course visa here and then the student applicant visa when I go to germany? or am I completely wrong about everything. I have been reading different things on a grip of different forums and websites and with all of the information that is being thrown at me, the whole thing seems unclear as to what i should do. I don't want to just move to Germany and not know where to go, or not be able to go anywhere from there.

Also, I am a citizen of the USA, i know that makes a difference regarding visas and residence permits, but I just don't know the difference. If anybody can help me out and answer my questions, please do..

Thank you,
Lucas

Lucas, the reason you can't get a clear answer from this (or any) discussion forum is that everyone's situation is different.

Yours is obviously quite complicated, and if you get advice from this forum I'd definitely not trust it to the point that you're moving to Germany with no other advice than some schlub's on TT.

If I were you, I'd check with the language school first. They should be able to advise you what kind of visa you will need to stay in Germany long enough to complete the course. Definitely know that much before you move to Germany. You can sort out the student visa stuff while you're there if you're daring. Or check with a German consulate or embassy here in the US before you go over.

The principal problem I see with your situation is, you seem to want to work on a student visa. My understanding from others' situations is that you can't do that. But again, check with the German authorities in the US before you go over to get that question cleared up.

The main impact your being a US citizen will have in the process is that it's more difficult for you to get a work permit for an unskilled job, as a non-EU citizen.

What do you mean by this?
I can't get the student visa from a language course visa or I cannot get a student visa at all?

Also,
is it possible to get visas while I am in Germany, or do I have to be in the U.S to get them?

Lucas, just my $.02, but your focus should be on learning German. You will have opportunities to do internships once you are a few semesters into your university studies and have a good grasp of the language. These internships will be of far greater utility to any future career than some unskilled job. The better your German, the better your chances of getting internships and the better your chances of getting good grades. It's different than the US here in that students are expected to do multiple internships rather than work an unskilled part-time job during their studies. If you do not absolutely need the money from a low-paid, unskilled job that will anyhow not further any professional career ambitions, do not bother with it.

You probably know this already, but German university students have done a "Grade 13" while still in high school (Gymnasium). Make sure you have a passel of AP or CLEP exams under your belt (or at least 30 university credits, including calculus) before coming over here, or you will have some severe difficulties in getting admitted to a university. What do you want to major in?

You can get a visa to study at a language school, but it will probably limit you to language study, with no permission to work. I am not an expert on visas and immigration, and I second Cinzia's comments about checking with a German embassy or consulate in the US. Foreign university students can do internships here, but probably not a Studienkolleg student, who anyhow needs to focus on maximizing their German skills.

Good luck...

I will have a grip of University credits when I come, but I am planning on going to the Studienkolleg first to make up for what I don't have. Unless I am mistaken, that pretty much makes up for not having the 13th grade in High School.

Check daad.de, or with the university you want to attend. My understanding of the Studienkolleg is that it only prepares you for the qualifying exam you must take to get accepted for studies in a specific discipline, thus it is not a replacement for the 13th year.

As an American citizen you can get your student visa after you get here to Germany. There is no such thing as a language course visa. The laws on how much/if people with student visas can work...I heard that law just went some change this past month, so I have no idea what the status is. Tomorrow morning I am going to get my Student Visa, I tourist visa expires in 20 days and I want to stay longer. I'm taking language courses now. Good luck!

Here is some useful information that might answer all of your questions or direct you to sites with more info:
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo/en/Wi...WusstenSie.html

It seemed up-to-date to me; however, you can always check with an embassy, consulate, or other official sources to verify whether or not anything has changed.

I think you can apply for a visa on the basis of taking an intensive language course. Not that I'm an expert on the topic, and sorry to contradict HerrKali if I'm wrong, but I came to Germany with no visa, and prior to running out of the 90-day tourist stay I got a visa for this reason that was good for a year, as long I was enrolled in a course. You won't be able to work (legally) but it keeps you in the country with relatively little hassle. I also agree with Conquistador - if you plan on staying for a while and "living in German" while you're here, then focus on learning the language first. Get to a decent level without developing habitual errors, and then build on that at school/work. Just my 2 pennies...

I came to Germany last year for 10 months to study german. First, you can legally come to Germany for 90-days as an American and visit without getting an Visa. If you plan to stay in Germany longer than your 90-days, then you can either go to the German Consulate in the US http://www.germany.info/relaunch/info/miss...consulates.html about applying for a residence permit to stay in the country longer. An idea of some of the documents you will need will be (Check with the Consulate first) - your US bank statement showing that you have enough money to support yourself for your entire stay (about 580€/month) - German health insurance coverage (you can find cheap travel insurance with minimum coverage for €50/month) - a German address - passport photos.

I would recommend calling the German Consulate in your area or sending them an email. But the information is listed on the Conuslate website http://www.germany.info/relaunch/info/cons...visa/study.html

Just remember, you can come for 90-days without anything and then go to the KVR here in Germany to extend your stay. The best information you will receive is from the German Consulate, then make your decision on what to do.