Visa and residence permits

Please note that the information on this website is for general guidance only. If you have any specific questions, you should always contact your responsible diplomatic mission abroad.

You can also find useful information about visas on the DAAD website.

Do I need an entry visa?

Citizens of a non-EU country generally need an entry visa. Citizens of EU countries, the European Economic Area, Switzerland and some other countries with which special agreements exist are exempt from the visa requirement. To find out whether you need a visa or are allowed to enter Germany visa-free, visit the website of the Federal Foreign Office.

Where do I apply for my entry visa?

You must apply to the German diplomatic mission abroad (German embassy or German consulate general) responsible for the district in which your main place of residence is located. You can find a list of German missions abroad at the Federal Foreign Office.

Which visa do I need?

You can apply for visas for different purposes. Make absolutely sure that you apply for the right visa, as it cannot usually be easily converted again and binds you to a specific purpose. For example, you cannot study on a tourist visa, but to convert this visa you must return to your home country.

If you intend to study in Germany at a higher education institution (either a degree or as part of an exchange program), write a bachelor’s or master’s thesis or take part in a research project or internship as part of your studies, a national visa for study purposes is usually required.

Further information can be found at Study in Germany.

What supporting documents do I usually need?

You can download the visa application form from the website of the relevant diplomatic mission abroad. The diplomatic mission abroad will require additional supporting documents from you, primarily to prove the purpose of your stay and funding. This usually includes

• A valid passport that is valid beyond the planned duration of your stay.
• Proof of health insurance.
• Proof of funding of around 11,208 euros per year or 934 euros per month (as of January 1, 2023). This can be, for example, a scholarship notification, proof of a blocked account at a bank in Germany or a declaration of commitment from your parents or another person in conjunction with proof of income or assets.
• Admission letter from the higher education institution or, if applicable, registration for a preparatory language course.
• Proof of language skills.
• Proof of previous academic achievements and/or university entrance qualification.

When do I apply for my entry visa?

As the visa procedure often takes a long time to process, we recommend that you submit your application and make an appointment with the relevant diplomatic mission abroad as early as possible.

Submit all the necessary supporting documents correctly and in full to avoid delays due to subsequent document requirements.

Do I need a residence permit?

Citizens of a non-EU country generally need a residence permit. Citizens of EU countries, the European Economic Area, Switzerland and some other countries with which special agreements exist are exempt from this requirement and only need a valid identity card.

I come from an EU/EEA country, what do I need to bear in mind?

If you plan to stay in Germany for longer than three months, you must register your new German residence at the local residents' registration office/ citizens' office within two weeks of moving into your new home.

Wiesbaden Citizens' Office

Rüsselsheim city office

I come from a non-EU country, what do I have to do?

You must apply for a residence permit at the immigration office responsible for your place of residence.

Important: Before you submit your application for a residence permit, you must register your place of residence with the office responsible for your place of residence. You must register your place of residence within two weeks of moving in (see point above).

Where do I apply for the residence permit?

You apply for the residence permit at the immigration office responsible for your place of residence. First check the respective website to see if you need to make an appointment online.

Foreigners' Registration Office Wiesbaden

Foreigners' Registration Office Rüsselsheim

Foreigners' Registration Office Frankfurt

Foreigners' Registration Office Mainz

Foreigners' Registration Office Bad Schwalbach

What supporting documents do I need for a residence permit?

As a rule, the following supporting documents are required to apply for a residence permit for study purposes:

1. Valid passport/passport (valid electronic residence permit in case of extension).
2. Registration certificate of your place of residence.
3. Initial application for a residence permit or application for an extension: Please complete the application in full.
4. Current passport photo: The passport photo should meet the requirements of the Federal Printing Office's model passport photo.
5. Certificate of enrollment: Bachelor's degree and Master's degree students require a certificate of enrollment containing information about your subject area and number of semesters. You can print this out yourself via Compass.
6. Proof of financial means: You must provide proof that you have sufficient financial means to cover your living expenses. Acceptable proof can be a scholarship approval, a letter of commitment from parents or another person in conjunction with proof of income, a blocked account or payslips. As a rule, the same supporting documents that were submitted when applying for a visa are required.
7. Proof of health insurance.

Please note that the immigration officer at your local immigration office may request further supporting documents from you.

It can take up to six weeks to process and issue your residence permit after you have submitted your application.

How long is a residence permit for study purposes valid for?

The residence permit for study purposes is usually issued for a period of one to a maximum of two years. It can be extended if the purpose of the stay, for example the completion of studies, has not yet been achieved or can be achieved within a reasonable period of time. An important criterion for the duration of the validity of your residence permit may also be proof of financial means. For example, if you can only provide proof of financial security for six months, your residence permit may only be valid for six months.

If you expect to need longer than the standard period of study for your studies, for example due to missing or fewer academic achievements, the Immigration Office may request a certificate of study progress.

Please urgently apply for an extension about three months before your residence permit expires. If the application is submitted in good time, i.e. before the time limit expires, your continued residence will be considered permitted until the Foreigners' Registration Office makes a decision, including the associated rights such as permission to pursue gainful employment.

If you submit your application too late, this can lead to considerable disadvantages! Submitting the application by email before the residence permit expires and sending a written request for an appointment to extend the residence permit by email to the immigration office is considered to be a timely application.

What is a fictitious certificate ("Fiktionsbescheinigung")?

A fictitious certificate confirms your provisional right of residence while the Foreigners' Registration Office examines your application for the issue or extension of a residence permit. Unlike a residence permit, a fictitious certificate can be issued at short notice and is usually only valid for a few months.

If you already have a valid residence permit and have applied for an extension, the fictitious certificate will be accepted for re-entry to Germany and also allows you to work.

What is the difference between fictitious effect ("Fiktionswirkung") and fictitious certificate ("Fiktionsbescheinigung")? Here is information from the Darmstadt Regional Council for those concerned and current or future employers.

Am I allowed to work with a residence permit for study purposes?

You are allowed to work 140 full days or 280 half days per year alongside your studies. You can find more information here.

What else do I need to consider?

If you change your degree program, you must inform your local immigration office.

Once you have completed your studies, your residence permit remains valid and allows you to take up your first job as long as you have not yet exceeded the limit of 140 full days or 280 half days. Nevertheless, it is imperative that you inform the Foreigners' Registration Office as soon as you have completed all the required coursework. The completion of your studies will be confirmed by a certificate of completion from the ZPA (Central Examination Office). From this point, you have 18 months to look for a suitable job that matches the subject area of your studies. During this time, you can apply for a residence permit to look for a job. As soon as you have found a job, you should contact the Foreigners' Registration Office to apply for a work permit or an EU Blue Card.

Please note: If you leave Germany and do not re-enter within 6 months, your residence permit will expire! You can then only apply for a new entry visa via a German embassy or consulate in your home country.

As an international student at Hochschule RheinMain, you can contact our International Team in the Admissions Office if you have any questions about the Immigration Office. Ursula Haque and Laure Leuschner will be happy to help you and will not only answer general questions, but will also provide you with the proof required by the Foreigners' Registration Office from the higher education institution (certificate of study progress).

Please contact the International Team, stating your name, degree program and student identification number. Please note that it can take up to two weeks to process your request. So please contact the International Office in good time before your appointment!

You can print out some certificates, such as a certificate of enrollment or proof of grades, yourself via the HSRM COMPASS portal.

Registration with the city

If you are new to the Rhine-Main region or change your place of residence, you must register with the citizens' office/city office of the respective city within two weeks. The citizen's office/city office responsible for your place of residence is decisive here.

Wiesbaden Citizens' Office

Rüsselsheim city office

You will need your identity card and proof of your address, the so-called Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung, which your landlord must fill out. You can usually find the template for this on the website of your local citizens' office.

After your registration, you will automatically receive a letter from the broadcasting license fee. You will be asked to register for the broadcasting fee. The broadcasting fee is €18.36 per month and is a fee that must be paid by every household. In a shared flat (WG), the contribution only has to be paid once by one person, while all other flatmates refer to the contribution number of the paying person. Please either register or, if necessary, inform us if another person in your household is already paying the fee - ignoring the requests could have serious consequences, such as the initiation of debt collection proceedings.

If you leave Germany permanently - not for short-term trips - you must deregister at the Citizens' Registration Office.

Even if you move within the place where you are registered, you must report this to the relevant Citizens' Registration Office.

Opening a bank account

Once you have registered with the city, you can open a bank account at a German bank with your registration certificate and your identity card or passport.

Find out whether the bank you want to open an account with offers free accounts for students and what you need for this (e.g. certificate of enrollment).

Withdrawing money from ATMs

You will find ATMs near almost all bank branches. It is best to use an ATM from your own bank to avoid additional transfer costs. In general, it is always an advantage to have at least a small amount of cash with you, as you cannot make cashless payments everywhere.

What should I do if I have lost my bank card?

Have your card blocked immediately! To do this, visit your bank in person or check their website to see if there is a special number you can call. There is a standard number for EC cards: 01805 021 021.