Visa & Residence permits
Do I need a visa?
A. Guest students from EU countries, European Economic Area & Switzerland
International guest students from European Union countries, EEA and Switzerland do not need a visa to enter Germany. You need only complete "Arrival - Step 1".
B. Guest students from visa-waiver countries
International guest students from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand and the USA can enter Germany for study purposes without a visa and stay for 90 days. You must complete "Arrival - Step 1" and "Arrival - Step 2".
C. Guest students from other countries
International guest students from all other countries need a visa to enter Germany. Please do not enter the country with a tourist visa. A tourist visa cannot be converted into a study visa in Germany. You will need a visa for study purposes [Visum zu Studienzwecken].
When you apply for the visa for study purposes, you must provide proof of of your finances (659 Euro/month, a total of 3.300 Euro/semester). Please apply early for your visa, as this process can often take eight weeks or more.
With your visa you generally have the right to be in Germany for 90 days. You must complete "Arrival - Step 1" and "Arrival - Step 2".
In some cases (e.g. China) the embassy will provide a visa for the full semester in Hamburg, so you do not need to extend your residence permit after 90 days.
Arrival - Step 1
Within 7 days of entering Germany, all students must register their address with the Hamburg Welcome Center and get a Meldebestätigung. You will need:
- your passport/photo ID
- registration form (download)
- your rental contract *
- administration fee of 6 Euros
EU students should also request a Freizügigkeitsbestätigung. For this you will need a passport photo and proof of enrolment (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung - print from HELIOS)
You will need a Meldebestätigung in order to open a bank account.
* if you are subletting a flat (Untermiete) or staying with someone until you find somewhere to live, you can write the name of the person from who you are subletting on the form. If that person is not the main person registered at that address, you will also need a copy of the rental contract. If you are staying in a hostel or hotel, you can give the name and address of the hostel/hotel. Once you get your own rental contract, you can inform the local authorities of this correct address.
Arrival - Step 2
Students from visa-waiver and visa countries must also apply for a residence permit (Aufenthalts-bewilligung) within three months of arriving in Germany.
If you are staying for just one semester, please apply for this shortly before the three months are due to end, so that the residence permit is only for a maxmimum of three months. This way you can avoid having to get the new electronic ID (eAT), as this is expensive. Instead you will get a sticker for your passport.
If you are staying for a year, then you will have to get the residence permit in the form of the electronic residence permit (eAT). Please apply early as the process takes 4-6 weeks. Cost: 100 Euros.
In order to get a residence permit you will need to provide proof of your finances (659 Euro/month). This can either be a letter from your home bank confirming that you have 3.300 Euro on your personal bank account for your study semester or it can be a bank statement from your German bank account, confirming that you have this money.
The application for a residence permit can be made at the Hamburg Welcome Center or with a local Einwohnermeldeamt. If you have a letter from your bank at home, you can apply for the Meldebestätigung and the Aufenthaltsbewilligung in one go at the Hamburg Welcome Center.
To apply for a residence permit you will need:
- an application form (download)
- your passport
- a biometric photo not older than 6 months
- a Meldebestätigung or a registration form (download)
- proof of health insurance
- proof of enrolment as a guest student (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung - HELIOS)
- proof of finances (bank statement or letter in Euros)
- administration fee for eAT: 100 Euros / administration fee for sticker: 50 Euros
