Phonem Sprachschule

§16f AufenthG · Intensive course · Hannover

§16fIntensive course · Weekday classes

For a language visa you need a recognised intensive course: weekday classes with at least 18 teaching units per week. Evening, weekend and integration courses do not qualify. Phonem in Hannover meets these requirements.

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Foundation

What §16f requires from the course

The format often decides whether an application is accepted or delayed.

An intensive course under §16f means daily classes on weekdays with at least 18 units per week. Distance learning, evening and weekend formats and integration courses are generally not recognised. Plan several months lead time: embassy processing times vary widely; incomplete documents are the most common delay.

Whether you may work during the language course is not uniformly regulated. Clarify that with your embassy. Phonem provides course-related documents; passport, insurance, proof of funds and other application documents you organise yourself.

Preparation

Planning, embassy and finances

What German embassies typically expect and how Phonem supports you with course documents.

Timeline and course choice

  • Only weekday intensive courses with at least 18 units per week (§16f), no evening, weekend or integration courses
  • Plan four consecutive courses early (e.g. A1.1, A1.2, A2.1, A2.2) and prepare advance payment
  • Allow several months lead time for appointments, translations and certified documents
  • Research the responsible German embassy or visa office for your country of residence (website, checklist, appointment booking)
  • Plan living costs (blocked account) and course fee separately; both are checked in the application

Embassy and application documents

Only your German embassy or consulate decides on visas and residence. Requirements vary by country of origin, so always use the current checklist of the responsible mission. Phonem meets §16f requirements for intensive teaching and issues course-related documents, not visas.

  • Course confirmation from the language school: location, period, daily classes, at least 18 units/week (from Phonem)
  • Registration contract and proof of prepaid course fee
  • Proof of funds for living costs (2026: approx. €1,091/month, blocked account or equivalent)
  • Health insurance for the planned stay in Germany
  • Valid passport, biometric passport photos, VIDEX form from the embassy if required
  • Letter of motivation and CV, with certified translations if needed
  • Declaration of commitment or other forms if your mission requires them

Incomplete documents are the most common cause of delays. Which documents are mandatory applies only according to your embassy, not general internet lists.

Federal Foreign Office: Visas and entry to Germany

Financial planning (guidance)

Proof of living costs and course fee are separate items. As of 2026, official sources (e.g. Berlin.de):

Living costs (minimum proof)
€1,091.20 / monthBlocked account or equivalent; confirm amount with embassy before application.
Phonem course fee (weekday intensive)
€350 to €390 / monthIncl. course confirmation and contract for visa application.
Blocked account (12 months, reference)
approx. €13,092Always verify total with embassy or authority.

Why many participants choose Phonem

Visa-suitable intensive courses

Weekday classes with 18+ units per week, as §16f and German embassies expect for language visas.

Documents after payment received

Once advance payment is booked, our system creates course confirmation, contract and payment proof automatically and makes them available without manual waiting times.

Quick response to enquiries

We usually reply to emails within a few hours on weekdays; at latest within 12 to 24 hours so you can plan.

Process

From level to Hannover

Four clear steps from level choice to intensive course in Hannover.

  1. Clarify level

    If unsure, start with the free placement test. That way you choose the right level and avoid wrong bookings for the application.

  2. Book and prepay four courses

    For the visa package you usually book four consecutive courses with advance payment (e.g. A1.1 to A2.2). The course overview shows all intensive dates.

  3. Visa documents from Phonem

    After payment for at least four consecutive courses you receive course confirmation, contract, payment proof and if needed the invitation letter digitally according to the terms and conditions.

  4. Application at embassy and entry

    You submit the application at the German mission responsible for your country of residence. After the visa you start the intensive course at Phonem in Hannover.

Insights

Our learning rooms

Real photos from our classrooms and teaching situations so you can see where you learn.

Classroom at Phonem Sprachschule Hannover
German course at Phonem Sprachschule (2)
German course at Phonem Sprachschule (3)
German course at Phonem Sprachschule (4)
German course at Phonem Sprachschule (5)
German course at Phonem Sprachschule (6)
German course at Phonem Sprachschule (7)
German course at Phonem Sprachschule (8)
German course at Phonem Sprachschule (9)
German course at Phonem Sprachschule (10)
German course at Phonem Sprachschule (11)
Language certificate

Phonem language certificate according to CEFR

Teaching, exam and certificate according to CEFR. Clearly structured. Issued by Phonem.

  • Phonem Sprachschule aligns teaching, final exam and language certificate with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

  • The final exam tests all four skills: reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression and oral expression. Weighting and oral tasks follow the respective level from A1 to C1.

  • After regular attendance and passing the final exam we issue the Phonem language certificate according to CEFR. Issuance is included in the course price.

  • We issue the certificate digitally as a PDF with QR code for online authenticity check. For verification we store only the required data according to the approved privacy and deletion policy.

  • Our courses prepare you specifically for the language competencies required by CEFR.

  • More on CEFR: Gemeinsamer Europäischer Referenzrahmen (GER)

  • Digital issuance as PDF with QR code for online authenticity check. Verification data is processed according to the approved privacy and deletion policy.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the language visa

Short answers on §16f, documents and course choice.

§16f regulates residence for language learning through an intensive course with daily classes and at least 18 units per week. Evening, weekend, integration and distance courses generally do not count.
For the invitation letter and visa documents from Phonem you need at least four consecutive courses with full advance payment, e.g. A1.1 to A2.2, according to the terms and conditions.
No. For §16f weekday intensive formats with sufficient weekly intensity are expected.
For 2026 official portals cite about €1,091 per month living costs (blocked account). The exact amount may vary by embassy. The course fee is additional.
That depends on embassy and country. Plan several months lead time.
Exclusively the responsible German embassy and the foreigners authority.
That is not uniformly regulated. Clarify it for your case with embassy and authority.
Phonem issues course-related documents (confirmation, contract, proof, invitation letter according to terms and conditions) after advance payment, usually automatically once payment is received. Passport, insurance, blocked account, motivation letter and embassy forms you obtain yourself according to their checklist. Phonem does not guarantee visa approval.
A single course (e.g. A1.1) costs €350; if you register less than 7 days before the course starts, €390 including the processing fee. Payment is by bank transfer or cash at the school. Card payments are not accepted.
You can register online via the course list on this page or in person at our office at Georgstraße 11, 30159 Hannover.
Yes. One free trial lesson (45 minutes) is available once, after prior arrangement at the office.
After completing the full level you take the final exam with us. If you pass, we issue the Phonem CEFR language certificate as a digital PDF with QR verification, included in the course fee.
In central Hannover: Georgstraße 11, 30159 Hannover, on the second floor, opposite McDonald's.
Next steps

Still unsure about level or course choice?

Our course overview shows intensive formats. The placement test helps with level choice. For questions you can contact us.

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