Route: study in Berlin

§ 16b permit, blocked account 992 euros, Studienkolleg, uni-assist, long waiting time at the embassy.

Many Cameroonians study in Germany. Plan early: the embassy's guide value for a student visa appointment is up to one year (the Opportunity Card is slower) (Visa and embassy).

Permit (§ 16b AufenthG)

• Full-time study at a state or state-recognised university; apply for a study visa through the portal before travelling. Source: § 16b, DAAD.
• Admission document: an unconditional or conditional admission letter, admission to a Studienkolleg or an entrance exam, or a preparatory language course (such as DSH, TestDaF). Between course end and study start there should be at most three months (embassy page, German).
• Language proof only if the admission letter does not confirm it or no language course is planned; this includes English-taught programmes (IELTS, TOEFL).
• Money: a blocked account (or a declaration of commitment under §§ 66-68a) of €992 a month (€11,904 a year) per the embassy for 2026; at a private university at least the first year must be funded. The choice of blocked-account provider is yours (Federal Foreign Office). Beware of fraud: Scams.
• Work: up to 140 full days or 280 half days a year (§ 16b (3)).
• Health insurance: German provider, unlimited cover, valid at least two months (one year if you take a language course in Germany): Health.
• Scholarship holders from public money pay no visa fee and register through the embassy's booking system.

Admission with Cameroonian certificates

• Schools and certificates: GCE or Baccalauréat. Documents and checks: Documents.
• Studienkolleg: a preparatory course ending with the Feststellungsprüfung for applicants whose certificate does not give direct access. Courses and exam are, as a rule, in German even for later English-taught programmes. Information: DAAD, Studienkolleg Berlin.
• Applications go through uni-assist or directly to the university. Fees and deadlines per university were not listed here.

Languages and fees

• German-taught programmes need a German proof (DSH or TestDaF, level per programme). Whether Cameroonian applicants need an English certificate for English-taught programmes depends on the university.
• Public universities in Berlin charge no tuition for international students, only a semester fee. Private universities charge tuition; check recognition. Semester fee and student health-insurance rate were not verified.