Coming to Germany
People with interest in studying in Germany, have to know that the entry requirements are regulated differently depending on the country of origin:
- Incomings from the EU/EWR: citizens of countries belonging to the EU or EWR as well as Switzerland can travel freely to Germany. That includes coming with intentions of preparing or finishing your Studies.
- Incomings not from EU/EWR: If you want to study in Germany, you will need a student Visa. This also applies to citizens of countries that are permitted to visit Germany for up to 3 Months with only their passports (for example, Malaysia or Mexico). When you plan a log term study duration, it is necessary to have all the required permits.
The residency permit/ the visa has to be processed by the respective German Embassy or the Consulate General. All the addresses of the Foreign Authorities can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.
The visa does not only allow you to pass the border, it also allows you to stay in Germany for a short time period. This period normally consists of 3 months. For further stay in Germany, the visa must be converted into a long-term residency permit.
Visas always have to be processed for a specific purpose. There are two different purposes for study reasons: for applying to study (Applicant Visa) and for studying or preparing to study (Student Visa). With the Applicant Visa it is possible to come to Germany in search for a suitable degree programme and university. Meanwhile, with a Student Visa, you come to Germany to attend a language course or preparatory college (Studienkolleg) to prepare for your studies or to start studying if you have received an admission from the University. In order to obtain either one of these visas, certain requirements for students have to be fulfilled.
More information regarding Visa and entry requirements can be found on the website of the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service).
Consultation hours
To make an appointment, send an email to beratung(at)io.fra-uas.de. Briefly describe your case and attach the required documents to the email. Then you will receive an individual appointment, either online or on-site at the office (Tuesdays or Thursdays).
Information days
Our student assistants also offer a general information session every Friday from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. (Without appointment)