If you plan to study in Germany, before the entry in Germany you have to submit an application for a student visa to the respective German representation abroad (only valid for citizens from out of EU and EWR countries).

Documents have to be presented proving inter alia that the applicant has been accepted for studies by the university.

The German representation abroad will then forward the visa application for an opinion to the foreigners’ office in the town housing the university.
The German representation abroad can issue the visa to the entry only after the responsible foreigners’ office in Germany gave its agreement. All in all this process may usually last about 6 – 8 weeks.

Details on the documents to be presented with your visa application are often available on the web page of the competent German representation abroad or directly from the representation itself.

Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea and the United States of America as well as of Andorra, Honduras, Monaco and San Marino can catch up the necessary residence title also after the entry. In these cases the foreigners' office of the place, at which the foreigner will receive his/her residence, is responsible.