Route: language course (§ 16f)

A visa just to learn German – what it needs, what it allows, and why it is rarely the best first step towards studying.

Under § 16f (1) AufenthG you can come to Germany for an intensive German course that does not prepare for a specific degree programme.

What the Embassy in Ankara asks for (leaflet 44F)

Enrolment in a course of at least 18 teaching units a week, and proof that the fees are paid.
€1,091 a month for the planned stay, by blocked account or a declaration of commitment. This is set by law: § 2 (3) sentences 5 and 6 AufenthG exclude non-preparatory language courses from the student amount (€992) and add 10 % to it.
Private incoming health insurance for 365 days.
Turkish documents with German translations by sworn translators. Fee €75, minors €37.50 (§§ 46, 50 AufenthV). The Embassy leaflet 44F names €40 for children 0–17; we could not confirm this.

Work: up to 20 hours a week. Since the 2024 reform, § 16f (3) AufenthG allows employment of up to 20 hours a week on a language-course permit, and a settlement permit under § 9 is excluded. Whether LEA Berlin lets you switch to another permit from inside Germany depends on the case; do not plan on it.

If you want to study afterwards

With an admission (or conditional admission), the preparatory German course is part of a study visa (§ 16b), see Study. That is usually the safer way.

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