Visas and Residency Permits
When Do You Need a Visa?
Whether you need a visa as an international student depends on what country you come from and how long you wish to stay in Germany. Please consult the website of the German Foreign Office to determine whether you need a visa: » more
Are you a citizen of a member country of the European Union or of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland?
In this case all you need to enter Germany is a valid identification card or equivalent proof of your identity. After you have arrived in Germany and have found a place to live, you must register as a resident with the local municipal authorities. If you live in Freiburg, you may do this at the Residence Registration Office of the City of Freiburg (see “Contact Information” on menu).
Are you not a citizen of an EU member country or of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland?
In this case, the question of whether you need a visa depends on how long you intend to stay in Germany.
As a rule, if you wish to stay in Germany for more than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for a visa.
To study at the University of Freiburg you’ll need a student visa. This is true of degree-seeking students (who wish to complete an entire course of study at the University of Freiburg) as well as short-term students (e.g., those participating in an exchange program).
Citizens of Andorra, Australia, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Canada, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, South Korea, and the United States of America can apply for this class of visa after entering Germany. This means that you do not need to enter Germany with a visa, but you do need to obtain a residency permit once you have arrived.
As a rule, if you are a citizen of Andorra, Honduras, Monaco, or San Marino, you can only enter the country without a visa if you do not plan to seek employment in Germany.
If you are a citizen of any country not listed above and wish to stay in Germany for more than 90 days, you must apply for a visa at the German Embassy or Consulate in your native country before entering Germany. If you enter Germany without a visa, you’ll need to leave the country again after three months and apply for a visa in your native country.
Less than 90 days: There are special regulations for people who intend to stay in Germany for less than 90 days. In this case, citizens of the following countries may also enter the country without a visa: Argentina, Bermuda, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Croatia, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Singapore, Uruguay, Vatican City, and Venezuela. However, this does not usually apply to students of the University of Freiburg, since a semester lasts longer than 90 days.
Which Visa you Need
What class of visa you need to apply for depends on whether you have been admitted to a course of study in Germany yet or not.
A useful tip: By no means should you enter the country on a tourist visa. You cannot have a tourist visa changed into a student visa or an applicant visa after you have entered Germany. Neither should you enter the country with a Schengen visa or with a visa for business purposes.
Student Visas: If you have already been admitted to a course of study or a Studienkolleg, you need a student visa. Student visas are usually valid for three months. As soon as you have enrolled at the University of Freiburg, you can have your visa converted into a longer-term residency permit. You must apply for this residency permit at your local immigration office after matriculating at the university. If you live in Freiburg, you may do this at the Immigration Office of the City of Freiburg (see “Contact Information” on menu). If you live outside of the city, the right address is the District Administrative Office of Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald (see “Contact Information” on menu).
What Documents Do You Need to Apply for a Visa?
We recommend contacting the German Embassy or Consulate in your native country to find out what documents you need to apply for a visa. As a rule, you will need:
- a certificate confirming that you have health insurance coverage,
- proof that you have sufficient financial resources,
- evidence of your previous studies (in the case that you are already studying or have studied),
- a certificate of German language proficiency or proof that you intend on taking an intensive language course in Germany.
- For a student visa, you will also need a letter of acceptance from the university you will be studying at in Germany (or, if you have not yet received this letter, a statement from the university confirming its intention to admit you).
- For an applicant visa, you will also need a certificate confirming your qualification for admission to higher education in Germany.
A list of German embassies and consulates is available here: » more
And after Your Studies?
You can apply for a one-year residency permit for the purpose of seeking employment. However, you must provide evidence that you have adequate financial resources to support yourself during this time and that you are actively searching for a job that corresponds to your qualifications. You can continue to work part-time during your job search – but only for the amount of hours you were allowed to work as a student without a work permit.
Once you have found a full-time position, you must apply for a residency permit that allows you to pursue gainful employment in Germany. In order to receive this permit you must meet certain requirements.
Source: DAAD