Canada to Germany: Nursing Student Visa Timeline

A step-by-step, dated timeline for Canadian citizens moving to Germany to study nursing (Ausbildung or BSc), from choosing a program through visa approval, arrival, and enrollment. Canada's membership in the Hague Apostille Convention (since January 2024) makes credential authentication faster than for applicants from many other countries. Every step's duration is a best-guess estimate, refined over time from real applicants' reported timelines.

Typical timeline

327 days

Est. total cost

€755

Next reachable intake

October 1, 2027

Dates below assume you start today (August 10, 2026) and are computed from each step's typical duration — an initial best-guess estimate for every step, refined over time as real applicants report their outcomes. Steps marked critical have zero slack: any delay there pushes back your whole arrival.

1. 1

   Choose a nursing program

   by August 24, 2026

   Shortlist a German nursing Ausbildung (vocational training, e.g. Pflegefachfrau/-mann) or a BSc Nursing program, and confirm its language and entry requirements.

   ~14 daysFreeSelfOfficial source ↗
2. 2

   Reach German language proficiency

   by December 8, 2026

   Study German to the level your chosen program requires — typically B1 for Ausbildung, B2 for a BSc taught in German. Duration varies hugely by starting level; adjust this to your own pace.

   ~120 daysFreeSelf / language schoolOfficial source ↗
3. 3

   Sit a recognised German exam

   by December 22, 2026

   Take a Goethe-Institut or telc exam and receive your certificate — most institutions require documented proof of level, not just coursework.

   ~14 days€200Goethe-Institut / telcOfficial source ↗
4. 4

   Apostille your credentials

   by August 25, 2026

   Get transcripts and certificates apostilled under the Hague Apostille Convention (Canada acceded in January 2024) via Global Affairs Canada or your province's authentication authority — much faster than full consular legalization.

   ~15 days€55Global Affairs CanadaOfficial source ↗
5. 5

   Apply and get admission

   by February 5, 2027

   Submit your application (via uni-assist where required) and receive an admission or conditional-admission letter.

   ~45 days€75Institution / uni-assistOfficial source ↗
6. 6

   Open a blocked account

   by August 31, 2026

   Open a Sperrkonto (blocked account, e.g. via Fintiba or Expatrio) and deposit the required annual amount — roughly EUR 11,904/year as of 2024, adjust for the current figure.

   ~21 days€60Fintiba / Expatrio / bankOfficial source ↗
7. 7

   Arrange health insurance

   by August 17, 2026

   Get provisional/incoming health insurance for the visa application; you'll switch to German statutory insurance after arrival.

   ~7 days€40Insurance providerOfficial source ↗
8. 8

   Book a visa appointment

   by March 7, 2027

   Book an appointment at the German consulate covering your region (Toronto, Vancouver, or Ottawa).

   ~30 daysFreeGerman Consulate (Canada)Official source ↗
9. 9

   Submit your visa application

   by March 8, 2027

   Attend your appointment and submit the national (Type D) student visa application with your full document set.

   ~1 days€75German Consulate (Canada)Official source ↗
10. 10

    Wait for the visa decision

    by April 12, 2027

    Processing time for the national visa decision.

    ~35 daysFreeGerman Consulate (Canada)Official source ↗
11. 11

    Book travel and fly to Germany

    by April 19, 2027

    Book your flight and travel to Germany once the visa is issued.

    ~7 daysFreeSelf
12. 12

    Register your address (Anmeldung)

    by April 24, 2027

    Register your address at the local Bürgeramt — required within 14 days of moving in.

    ~5 daysFreeBürgeramtOfficial source ↗
13. 13

    Unblock your account / open a local bank account

    by April 29, 2027

    Activate access to your blocked account funds and/or open a regular German bank account.

    ~5 daysFreeBank / Fintiba
14. 14

    Enroll (Immatrikulation)

    by May 4, 2027

    Complete enrollment at your institution to finalize your student status.

    ~10 days€150Institution
15. 15

    Convert to a residence permit

    by July 3, 2027

    Apply for your residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) at the local Ausländerbehörde, required to remain beyond the entry visa's validity.

    ~60 days€100AusländerbehördeOfficial source ↗