Visa and Residence

Students from EU, EEA countries or Switzerland enter Germany without a visa but must register with the Citizens’ Office (Bürgeramt) in the city they live in Germany after entering the country. They will then receive a registration certificate confirming their residence in Germany (Meldebescheinigung). A residence permit is not required.

If you live in Osnabrück, you can register at  Osnabrück Citizens’ Office (Bürgeramt) – either during the International Office’s  Welcome Week or individually. In any case, you must  schedule an appointment at the Citizens’ Office. During the Welcome Week, tutors will accompany newly arrived students to the Citizens’ Office on a designated date if they have booked an appointment for that day in advance. Please make sure that you arrive on time for your appointment, otherwise the booked time slot will expire!

Students who live in the district of Osnabrück should contact the Citizens’ Office and Foreigners’ Office in their town.

After entering Germany, Students from non-EU/EEA countries must register with the Citizens’ Office (Bürgeramt) in the city they live in. They will then receive a registration certificate confirming their residence in Germany (Meldebescheinigung). If they live in Osnabrück, they must register at  Osnabrück Citizens’ Office (Bürgeramt) – either during the International Office’s  Welcome Week or individually. In any case, you must  schedule an appointment at the Citizens’ Office in advance. During the Welcome Week at the beginning of the semester, international students can be accompanied by tutors to the Citizens' Office on a designated date if they have booked an appointment for that day. Please make sure that you arrive on time for your appointment, otherwise the booked time slot will expire! Students living in the district of Osnabrück must contact the Citizens’ Office and Foreigners’ Office in their town.

In addition, students from non-EU/EEA countries, regardless of whether they have entered Germany with or without a visa, must apply for a residence permit online at the  Foreigners’ Office within the validity period of their visa or – in the case of visa-free entry – within three months of entering the country. All supporting documents ( Entry without visa (PDF, 370 kB),  Entry on a visa (PDF, 353 kB)) must be submitted digitally. You can either submit your  application for the residence permit yourself or attend the International Office session during the Welcome Week, where we will complete the application together. Once your application has been processed, you will receive an appointment at the Foreigners’ Office via e-mail, during which the final formalities for issuing the residence permit will be completed. The cost of the residence permit is €100 for a residence permit of up to one year.

You will receive your residence permit as an electronic residence permit in the form of a chip card. It contains your fingerprint, your photo and your personal details. The supplementary provisions are also stored on the chip and printed out on an additional sheet. There is also an optional online ID function and an electronic signature function. The card is not issued directly by the Foreigners’ Office. It will take a few weeks before you can collect the card from the Foreigners’ Office. Please bear this in mind when renewing your residence permit and contact the Foreigners’ Office in good time. Here you will find further information on the  Electronic residence permit. The  International Office will be happy to answer any further questions you may have.

It is essential to provide proof of funding for your study visit. You must therefore provide evidence of how and to what extent the funding will be provided. The German authorities currently assume that students need around €992 per month to cover their living costs in Germany. Information on how to prove that you can afford to study in Osnabrück can be obtained from the Foreigners’ Office or under  Tips for international students - How do I finance my studies in Germany?.

Duration of study

Your studies must be the main purpose of your stay.

Preparation for studies (e.g. German courses in Germany, Studienkolleg, etc.) may not last longer than two years.

You must pursue your studies in Germany in a goal-oriented and structured manner. This means that you should concentrate on your studies and study continuously. You should not exceed the average duration of study by more than three semesters.

The residence permit for study purposes can be issued for a maximum of ten years for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral studies together.

The time needed to prepare for your studies also counts towards the ten-year period.

The Foreigners’ Office will check regularly that you are concentrating on your studies. They ask for a transcript of records and a certificate stating the expected date of graduation. This means that the university must certify when the student is expected to graduate. Failure to submit these documents may result in the rejection of your application for an extension of your residence title.

Semesters on leave / semesters abroad

These semesters count towards the average duration of study. You should therefore apply for permission from the Foreigners’ Office before taking a semester off or a semester abroad.

Changing degree programs

Changing your degree program is generally not a problem during the first 18 months after starting your studies.

If you want to change your program after 18 months, the Foreigners’ Office may refuse your application. If you change your program so late that you will not be able to complete your new degree before the end of the ten-year period, the Foreigners’ Office may refuse to extend your residence title.

If you exceed the permitted duration of study, you cannot expect an automatic renewal of your residence permit. Extension is at the discretion of the Foreigners’ Office.

Employment while at University

The maximum amount of employment allowed (140 full days or 280 half days per calendar year) must not interfere with your studies and therefore the success of your programme. If you want to work more than this, you can only do so by working part-time at the university or other academic institution (no time limit).

You can also do any internships required by the examination regulations. However, you must apply in advance by submitting a certificate from your university to the Foreigners’ Registration Office.

Additional voluntary internships cannot be approved by the Foreigners’ Office and must be completed within the 140 days at your disposal.

The following documents are generally required for all applications for the purpose of studying:

• A copy of your valid passport

• A copy of your residence permit, including the supplementary sheet

• If applicable, a copy of your fictional certificate (Fiktionsbescheinigung)

• Biometric passport photo (can be taken at the Foreigner’s Office)

• Transcript of records

• Certificate on expected completion date (Bescheinigung über den voraussichtlichen Abschluss)

• Proof of health insurance

• Proof of sufficient funding (bank statements from the last three months, declaration of commitment, etc.)

• Fee €93

(This list is not exhaustive and other documents may be required.)

After successfully completing your studies, your residence permit can be extended for a period of 18 months for the purpose of seeking employment. A further extension for the purpose of seeking employment is not possible.

If you are unable to find qualified employment within this period, you must return to your home country.

You can reapply for a visa to look for work in Germany at the German embassy in your home country. However, you must have stayed in your home country for the same length of time as you were looking for work in Germany.