Visa and Residence Permit
Before entering Germany Please gather the required information about the necessary formalities for the visa application as early as possible from the German Embassy or the German Consulate. This process can often take several months. A delayed entry can lead to missing important dates. For example, if you miss the language examination, you cannot be accepted for a course of study! In Osnabrück, the Ausländerbehörde (Foreigners' Office) is responsible for both. Students who live in the region of Osnabrück do this at their local foreigner's and registaion offices. The proof of sufficient funding for your studies is very important. You need to prove your sources of funding and how much is available to you. At the moment, German authorities estimate that a student needs approximately 659 EUR / month so support themselves. Please enquire at the Ausländerbehörde how you prove that you have sufficient financial resources.
After entering Germany
After your studies in Germany
Before entering Germany
Applicants from certain countries need a visa to be allowed to enter Germany. In order to find out whether or not you need a visa, please check with the German Embassy or the German Consulate in your home country or check the homepage of the Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt). If you find your country marked with "(3)" on the list and it says "no" next to "entry visa required", it means you can enter Germany with the purpose of studying without a visa.
Citizens of the European Union (EU) nd the European Economic Area (EEA; Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) do not have to appy for a visa in order to enter Germany.
You can find a list of German representations abroad on the homepage of the Federal Foreign Office.
In order to receive a study visa, you need the admission letter from a German university. The study visa is usually valid for three months and can be exchanged for a residence permit for study purposes in Germany. A tourist visa cannot be exchanged for a residence permit for study purposes!
In order to apply for a visa, you need the following documents:
After entering Germany
Students from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
Students from non-EU countries
Students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland
Students from these countries can enter Germany without a visa. After arriving in Germany, you will have to register with the local registration office (Meldeamt) of your community in Germany. You will then receive a registration certificate and a Freizügigkeitsbescheinigung (document confirming the freedom of movement), confirming your visa free stay in Germany. Students from Switzerland receive a residence permit.
If you live in Osnabrück, you will have to register with the Ausländerbehörde (Foreigners' Office) in Osnabrück. This can be done during the Welcome Week of the International Office (Akademisches Auslandsamt) or individually.
Students from non-EU countries
Students from non-EU countries have to apply for a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis), whether or not they entered Germany with a visa, within the time of validity of their visa - or in case of a visa free entry - within three months upon arrival in Germany. You will also have to register with the local registration office (Meldeamt) of your community in Germany.
During the Welcome Week at the beginning of the semester, international students have the chance to take care of all these formalities of the Ausländerbehörde with the help of the International Office (Akademisches Auslandsamt).
In order to apply for a residence permit, you need the following documents:
The residence permit is usually granted for two years. After these two years, the current situation will be examined in order to determine whether the requirements for an extension are met and if proof of academic achievement will be required. Usually, the Ausländerbehörde also needs to be informed about an academic leave or a change of subject/s. The International Office (Akademisches Auslandsamt) will assist you with any questions about this.
Important: After you exmatriculated, a residence permit for study purposes is not valid anymore, even if the residence permit was originally valid for longer than the time of exmatriculation!
Moreover, there will be an optional online-ID function and an electronic signature function.
The card cannot be manufactured by the local Foreigners' Office. Therefore it can be picked up there approx. eight weeks after your application. Please consider this when applying for a residence permit and get in touch with your Foreigners' Office in time.
The costs for the residence permit are 100 EUR for residence permits with a validity of up to one year and 110 EUR for residence permits with a validity for more than one year.
These changes do not affect the visa application procedure.
More information in several languages >>
Please contact the International Office in case you have questions.
After your studies in Germany
After ending your studies in Germany non-EU students may apply for a residence permit with a validity of one and a half years for job search. During this time you are allowed to work with no time limits.
more information >>
More information about finding a job after your studies >>
Note: The DAAD offers material for downloading general conditions for entering and staying in Germany, as well as the Studentenwerk.
