Applying for a Visa

International students from most countries must apply for a student visa with their nearest German embassy or consulate prior to their departure.

Special regulations apply for degree and exchange students from China.

More information at: http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de

_{Please contact us if you need an additional letter or fax to support your visa application. However, in most cases, it will be sufficient if you present the original of the acceptance notification which you will receive from us by regular mail.}

After Arrival - EU Nationals

After arrival students have to report to the “Einwohnermeldeamt” (residence registration office) or "Bürgeramt" (citizens' office) and register their address in Germany.They should bring with them

• passport or national identity card
• Proof of financial resources
• Proof of health insurance valid in Germany
• Proof of acceptance/admission/immatriculation at the university
• rental contract

EU-nationals do not need to do anything else, in particular they do not need to apply for a residence permit. However, they should safeguard the "Meldebescheinigung" (residence registration certificate), i.e. keep the original with their other documents in their room and carry a copy of it with their passport or ID card. The former "Freizügigkeitsbescheinigung" (EU certificate of freedom of movement) has been abolished in order to cut back on bureaucracy.

After Arrival - Non-EU-Nationals

All other international students, i.e. those who are not EU-nationals need to

• report to the “Einwohnermeldeamt” (residence registration office) or "Bürgeramt" (citizens' office) and register their address in Germany
• to apply for an "Aufenthaltserlaubnis" (residence permit) valid for the duration of their study period at a German university; this permit is issued by the "Ausländerbehörde" (foreigners registration office) of the city of residence in Germany.

The residence permit is no longer a "sticky label" which is attached to your passport. Nowadays, it is a credit card size document with a variety of electronic functions which has been adopted throughout the European Union, called "elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel" (eAT). 

More information on the Electronic Residence Title

The following documents have to be presented:

• Passport
• Application for residence permit
• 1 biometrical passports picture
• Proof of financial resources
• Proof of health insurance valid in Germany
• Proof of acceptance/admission/immatriculation at the university

Costs:

• Up to 1 year: € 100 / more than 1 year: € 110
• Extension up to 3 months: € 65 / more than 3 months: € 80

Proof of Financial Resources

All international students who are neither EU nationals nor from one of the EFTA countries are required to apply for a residence permit valid for the duration of their study period at a German university; this permit is issued by the "Auslaenderbehörde" (foreigners registration office) of the city of residence in Germany. In order to obtain this permit students must prove that they have sufficient financial support to cover their living costs during their study period in Germany ("Finanzierungsnachweis"). The current monthly minimum is 690 Euro.

There are several options how one can prove sufficient financial recourses. It may be necessary to use a combination of different types of proof.

• A written confirmation (in German or English) from parents that they will take responsibility for all expenses related to the study period in Ulm. In addition to this confirmation parents have to prove sufficient funds by presenting a bank statement / bank letter (sample letter).
• A scholarship confirmation by any official German or international scholarship organisation. If the scholarship grants less than 690 Euro per month an additional proof of financial rescources is needed to cover the difference.
• A formal written commitment from relatives or acquaintances living in Germany (§ 68 Aufenthaltsgesetz) submitted to the German diplomatic mission abroad or to the respective registration office in Germany. Persons signing this commitment must prove that they are in a position to maintain this commitment.
• A blocked account at a German bank from which one is allowed to withdraw a fixed amount per month (690 Euro or more). This service is not offered by all banks and is restricted to several countries (e. g. PR China).

The documents must be written in English or German or they must be accompanied by certified translations in one of those languages.