The visa is not a residence permit
The national type D visa is needed for programmes longer than 90 days, but by itself it is only entry clearance. The actual residence permit is issued locally, at the foreigners’ registration office.
What the full cost consists of
The blocked account is not an expense — it is your own money, frozen with a monthly withdrawal limit. The real costs are the visa fee, the residence permit, and account maintenance.
How the process runs
A good fit if
A poor fit if
Who runs this programme
Your request goes to two or three firms from this list. You see exactly which ones before it is sent, and you can exclude any of them.
No matching firms in the directory for this category yet — the list is curated by hand and grows over time.
This is an independent list of firms in the market, not our partners — we do not forward requests to them or receive payment for referrals. Contact them directly via the link.
Frequent questions
Where does the €11,904 figure come from?
The official agency (BAMF) does not publish the exact blocked-account amount on a single dedicated page — it is set and confirmed by licensed blocked-account providers (Expatrio, Fintiba, and others), who operate the official scheme. This is not a blogger’s estimate, but formally not a primary government source either — we say so plainly.
How is the visa different from the residence permit?
The type D visa is only entry clearance for programmes longer than 90 days. The actual residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) is issued separately, in Germany, within 90 days of entry, at the local foreigners’ office.
When can you access the account funds?
Only after arriving in Germany and activating the account — until then the funds are blocked and unavailable, even though the account is opened in advance.
How much can you work?
Up to 140 full days a year or 280 half-days — a single counter, which can be combined depending on your schedule.
Why can visa review take up to 16 weeks?
During peak filing season (April–August) and at busy consulates (e.g. in India), processing stretches well beyond the average 4–8 weeks.
What happens if you miss the 90-day residence-permit window?
Your legal status going forward comes into question — the procedure is mandatory and must be completed within that period after entry.
Sources
Figures are for reference only. Verified against official sources on 26 August 2026. A precise quote is issued by the appointed firm after document review. This material is not legal advice, a public offer or investment advice.