Which German language course visa should I apply for? (44F, 36F, 43F)
The German missions in Turkey publish three separate information sheets for language courses. Choosing the wrong one leads to refusal, or to being unable to switch purpose once you are in Germany.
| Sheet | Purpose | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| 44F | General language course — no university or vocational goal | § 16f Residence Act |
| 36F | Study-preparatory language course (university is the goal) | § 16b Residence Act |
| 43F | Language course preparing for vocational training (Ausbildung) | — |
How to choose: if your goal is to study at a German university, your route is 36F, not 44F. Sheet 44F covers courses that are expressly not study-preparatory, so arriving without declaring a study goal makes a later switch to a student permit harder.
The blocked account amounts differ too (2026):
- General language course (44F): €1,091/month = €13,092/year
- Study-preparatory (36F): €992/month = €11,904/year
The gap is not arbitrary: for 44F the required funds are calculated as the BAföG maximum rate plus 10%.
If university is on your horizon, decide which sheet applies before you enrol in a course. This is one of the hardest sequencing mistakes to undo later.
Sources: Information sheet 44F — language course · Information sheet 36F — study-preparatory language course
This is general information, not legal advice.
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