Visa and Residence Permit

If you are a citizen of an EU or EEA country (Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland), you can enter Germany at any time to study. The same applies to Swiss nationals since 04.12.2020.

You only have to register at the "Einwohnermeldeamt" (local registration office) with your German address within one week of entering the country. Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland do not need a residence permit during their stay.

In order to register with the city, you need a so-called "Wohnungsgeberbestätigung" (confirmation of the landlord of your flat) in accordance with § 19 BMG from the landlord of your flat. It confirms that you have officially moved into the apartment.

If you live in a student residence of Seezeit, please make sure that you receive this certificate immediately from the caretaker or tenant service when you move in.

If, on the other hand, you live in private accommodation, please ask the landlord to issue the confirmation as soon as possible.

You may enter Germany for a study visit without a visa. With your valid passport, you enter Germany as a tourist and apply for a residence permit to study in Germany within the first three months (period of validity of the tourist status). You need the residence title to study in order to be able to legally stay in Germany to study. At the same time, it allows you to travel for up to 90 days as a tourist in the Schengen states.

Please note: The three-month period does not begin from the time you enter Germany, but from the time you enter the Schengen area.

During the orientation programmes, we will help you to apply for a residence permit.

You must first register with the residents' registration office within one week of your arrival.

To register with the city, you will need a so-called "Wohnungsgeberbestätigung" (confirmation of residence) according to § 19 BMG from the landlord of your apartment, which confirms that you have officially moved into the apartment.

If you live in a student residence of Seezeit, please make sure that you receive this certificate immediately from the caretaker or tenant service when you move in.

If, on the other hand, you live in private accommodation, please ask the landlord to issue it to you as soon as possible.

In a second step, you apply for the residence permit at the local foreigners authority (Attention: Waiting time for appointments up to 8 weeks).
 

Citizens of all other non-EU countries need a visa for educational and study purposes (no tourist visa!).

This must be applied for at least 8 weeks before departure at the responsible German mission abroad (embassy or consulate).

Long-term visa (recommended)
Students who study in Germany for a maximum of 1-2 semesters can apply for a longer-term visa (according to Art. 18 para. 2 SDÜ) at the German mission abroad. It can be issued for a maximum of one year. You can also take out a German statutory health insurance abroad. Please ask the staff at the German embassy/consulate explicitly about this possibility. Your advantage: You save 100 Euro for the visa extension in Germany and have already clarified all residence formalities on entry. Make use of this opportunity!

National visa (3 months):
If you enter Germany with a national 3-month visa, the visa must be converted into a residence permit for studying.

To do this, you must apply to the local immigration authorities before your visa expires. Please have a look at the procedure for the USA, Canada, Australia (...).

The residence permit is issued for a maximum of 2 years.

If you hold a Non-EU nationality and a valid residence permit for studies of another EU country, you may participate in a simple residency procedure. This is possible for exchange or double degree studies at the University of Konstanz. Please check here which requirements you must meet.