Route: studying in Berlin

Study visa (§ 16b), money, work while studying, study-applicant visa (§ 17).

Legal basis: § 16b AufenthG. You apply for a national visa before you travel: Visa application.

Steps

1. Check what your Russian certificates are worth: Admission.
2. Learn German (or English for English-taught programmes): Learning German.
3. Apply to the university, directly or through uni-assist. Berlin public universities charge no tuition.
4. Prove funding: blocked account (€11,904 a year, €992 a month), a scholarship or a declaration of commitment. Open the account before the visa application. How money can reach it: Money and EU sanctions.
5. Apply for the visa. Then After arrival.

Fees and work

• Visa fee €75, not refundable.
• Health insurance is compulsory; statutory student insurance starts with enrolment, so you need private cover before. Student rate: about €140–150 a month in 2026.
• Semester fee at Berlin public universities roughly €300 to €380 (including the public-transport ticket). Check the university page.
• Working while studying (§ 16b (3)): up to 140 full or 280 half days a year, plus student jobs at the university.

Study-applicant visa (§ 17)

Without admission yet, § 17 allows up to 9 months to look for a study place. You must show the school and language requirements for starting a degree (§ 17 (2) AufenthG) and €1,091 a month (§ 2 (3) AufenthG). Whether the Embassy issues this visa in practice is not confirmed.

After your studies: up to 18 months to look for a job matching your degree (§ 20).