Visas & Residence Permits

International Students

Visas

Please contact the relevant German mission abroad in order to find out whether you need a visa and/or a residence permit for your studies in Germany. The staff will also provide you with information concerning the required documents and papers for a visa application.

Find your German missions abroad.

The following will give you a rough overview:

Nationals of EU and EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway): you do not require a visa.  To enter Germany you need a valid passport or an ID-card. Within the first two weeks upon arrival in Germany you must report to the registration authority (Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt). For registration in Hamburg you can go to any customer service centre (Kundenzentrum). You can find the closest customer service centre online. Just type „Kundenzentrum“ in the search box. Please bring along your passport or ID-card, a rent contract signed by your landlord/landlady and money for the registration fee (6.00€).

Nationals of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland and the United States: you do not require a visa , and you may apply for the necessary residence permit after arrival in Germany. Alternatively you can apply for a residence permit prior to entry at the German Embassy or at a German Consulate. To enter Germany you need a valid passport. Within the first two weeks upon arrival in Germany you must report to the registration authority (Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt) (see above for detailed information) . Additionally, you must apply for a "residence permit for the purpose of studying" from the relevant foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) within three months of arrival.

Nationals of Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco and San Marino: you do not require a visa, and you may apply for the necessary residence permit after arrival in Germany if you do not intend to take up employment. Alternatively you can apply for a residence permit prior to entry at the German Embassy or at a German Consulate. To enter Germany you need a valid passport. Within the first two weeks upon arrival in Germany you must report to the registration authority (Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt) (see above for detailed information). Additionally, you must apply for a "residence permit for the purpose of studying" from the relevant foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) within three months of arrival.

International students from a third country must – with a few exceptions – obtain a visa before entering Germany. You can get this visa from the relevant German mission in your country.

Please make sure that you obtain a national visa which is issued for stays lasting longer than three months (for example, to study a full programme).

You must make sure right from the beginning that you apply for a national visa for the purpose of studying (student visa). As a rule, you will have to present the following papers and (identity) documents to the relevant German mission in your country (e.g. embassy or consulate):
- a valid passport,
- letter of acceptance from HSBA Hamburg School

  of Business Administration,
- health insurance policy,
- two passport sized pictures,
- transcripts of past student records,
- a school-leaving certificate or equivalent entitling the bearer to study at a German

  institution of higher education

!!!!Please make sure that you apply for the visa in good time and that your passport is still valid!!!!

Within the first two weeks upon arrival in Germany you must report to the registration authority (Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt) (see above for detailed information). Additionally, you must apply for a "residence permit for the purpose of studying" from the relevant foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) within three months of arrival.

Germany’s Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt): Information on the visa process as well as application forms in various languages

Residence permits

Most foreign students – except nationals of EU and EEA countries – must, after arriving in Germany and having reported to the registration authority, go to the foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) in their university town to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of studying. Find the respective offices online.

You will be asked to show the following documents:

-your confirmation of registration issued by the registration authority
- proof of health insurance
- a certificate of registration from HSBA Hamburg School of Business Administration
- rent contract
- completed and signed application form 
- proof of sufficient financial resources – if not already verified when the visa

  was issued
- valid passport
- a biometric passport sized picture
- money to pay the administration fees (50.00€ - 200.00€)

The Hamburg Welcome Center

The city of Hamburg is a continously growing metropolis. Anually  more than 80,000 people choose Hamburg as their new home and enrich the city with all their different mentalities, qualifications and experiences. To make all these newcomers feel at home, the Hamburg Welcome Center was established in April 2007. It is the first contact point for new citizens from both Germany and abroad and advises free of charge on topics such as accommodation, economy and labour, school education and university studies, children and family as well as culture and leisure. There is an additional  tailor–made offer for qualified employees as regards to the administration of immigration issues. Foreign students can also get their first residence permit and their first registration of residence at the Hamburg Welcome Center by prior arrangement. Further information can be found on the Hamburg Welcome Center website.

© Fotos 1 + 2: Bilderbox, Foto 3: Welcome Center