Exchange in Germany: Student visa and residence permit, what's the difference?

If you're considering study and work in Germany, you've probably come across terms like “student visa” and “residence permit”. Although many people use these terms synonymously, in German practice they have quite different functions. Understanding this difference is crucial to properly plan your educational journey in the country.

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What is a German student visa?

O student visa It is a document that allows your Entry into Germany for educational purposes. It works as a temporary “entry permit”, generally valid for up to 90 days from the date of issue.

Key Features:

• Valid for entry into the country
• Limited duration (maximum 90 days)
• Issued by German consulates in Brazil
• Temporary and specific function

When it is necessary to:

• For stays longer than 90 days
• When you don't have European citizenship
• For studies in long-term courses

To better understand the entire process, check out our student visa for Germany: everything you need to know.

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What is a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis)?

A residence permit for studies It is the official document that allows live legally in Germany for the entire period of your course. It is this title that actually authorizes your extended stay in the country.

Key Features:

• Valid throughout the study period
• Allows you to work legally (up to 20 hours a week)
• Renewable as needed
• Issued by the German authorities (Ausländerbehörde)

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The exclusive advantage of Brazilians

Brazilians have a significant advantage in the German migration process: you can enter Germany without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism purposes and short-term studies.

This means that you can:

1. Entering Germany as a tourist
2. Register as a resident (Einwohnermeldeamt)
3. Apply for a residence permit directly in Germany

This flexibility eliminates the need to wait for a visa to be processed in Brazil and may be more practical for many students.

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Strategy 1: Visa in Brazil + Authorization in Germany

Process:

1. Apply for a student visa at the Brazilian consulate
2. Traveling to Germany with a valid visa
3. Register residence
4. Convert visa to residence permit

For a detailed guide to this process, see our step by step: how to obtain a student visa in Germany.

Advantages:

• Greater legal certainty
• Guaranteed entry into the country
• Time to get organized

Disadvantages:

• Longer process
• Double Bureaucracy
• Additional cost

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Strategy 2: Visa-Free Entry + Direct Authorization

Process:

1. Entering Germany as a tourist (without a visa)
2. Register residence immediately
3. Apply for a residence permit within 90 days

Advantages:

• Faster process
• Lower initial cost
• Increased flexibility

Disadvantages:

• Requires strict planning
• 90-day deadline
• Complete documentation required

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Documentation required for both processes

Basic documents:

• Valid passport (minimum 6 months)
• Letter of admission from the German institution
• Proof of financial resources (€11,904 in 2024)
• International health insurance valid in Germany
• Translated and apostilled school transcript
• Certificate of language proficiency

Additional documents for authorization:

• Proof of residence registration (Meldebescheinigung)
• Rental agreement or lodging statement
• Recent biometric photos

For a full list, check out our guide on documents to apply for a visa to Germany: complete guide 2025.

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Processing times by region

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In Brazil (Student Visa)

São Paulo:

• Average time: 4-8 weeks
• High demand (Jun-Aug): up to 12 weeks

Rio de Janeiro:

• Average time: 3-6 weeks
• High demand: up to 10 weeks

Porto Alegre:

• Average time: 2-4 weeks
• Generally more agile

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In Germany (Residence Permit)

Major cities (Berlin, Munich, Hamburg):

• Average time: 6-12 weeks
• Scheduling: 2-4 weeks

Average cities:

• Average time: 3-6 weeks
• Scheduling: 1-2 weeks

Smaller cities:

• Average time: 2-4 weeks
• Schedule: same week

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Blocked Account: fundamental requirement

Regardless of the strategy chosen, you will need the Blocked Account (blocked account) with €11,904 deposited. This amount proves your financial capacity and is released monthly (€992) during your studies.

Schedule for opening:

• Online request: 1-2 weeks
• Verification and activation: 3-5 business days
• Total: approximately 3 weeks

For more details on this essential process, read our article on Blocked account: key to studying Germany.

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I work while studying

Once you have a residence permit, you will be able to work legally in Germany:

• 20 hours a week during the term of office
• Fulltime during academic holidays
• Current minimum wage: €12.82 per hour (2025)

This is an excellent opportunity to gain professional experience and supplement your income. Recent data shows that Brazilians exceed the average salary of Germans, demonstrating the potential for professional growth in the country.

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Which strategy to choose?

The choice between the two strategies depends on your profile:

Choose a visa in Brazil if:

• Do you prefer greater legal certainty?
• Do you have time available to wait
• Do you want guarantees before the trip?
• It's your first international experience

Choose direct entry if:

• Do you have an urgent need to start your studies?
• Has experience with international processes
• Are you comfortable with tight deadlines?
• Do you want to save time and resources?

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Important care

Respect the deadlines:

• Visa: apply 3-4 months in advance
• Authorization: start the process within 90 days

Keep complete documentation:

• Always have digital and physical copies
• Translate and apostille documents in advance
• Keep your health insurance valid at all times

Plan financially:

• Consider translation and apostilling costs
• Reserve resources for fees and travel
• Always have an emergency reserve

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Renewal and extension

Both the visa and the residence permit may require renewal:

Residence permit:

• Renewable depending on the length of the course
• Simpler process than the initial request
• Usually processed within 2-4 weeks

After graduation:

• Possibility of extension for 18 months for job search
• Transition to work visa
• Path to permanent residence

To better understand the procedures after your arrival, consult our Municipal registration and residence permit in Germany: practical guide 2025.

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Postgraduate opportunities

Germany offers excellent prospects for those who complete their studies:

• 18 months to find work after graduation
• Facilities for obtaining the EU Blue Card
• Simplified path to permanent residence
• Job market open to international professionals

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Be Easy

Na Be Easy, we understand that navigating the German bureaucracy may seem challenging, but we're here to simplify every step of the process. Our specialized team offers personalized guidance to choose the best strategy for your profile, helping from the preparation of the documentation to its arrival and adaptation in Germany. Get in touch with us! We transform the complexity of migratory processes into an organized and smooth journey, allowing you to focus on what really matters: your education and professional growth in Germany.

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