Visa & Immigration Matters
1. Visa to enter Germany
As an international exchange student, you may need a visa and/or a residence permit to study in Germany, depending on where you’re from.
To apply for a visa, turn to the local embassy or consulate in your home country. The documents typically needed to apply for a visa comprise the following:
- a valid passport
- your Letter of Accetpance from h_da
- proof of health insurance
- proof of sufficient funds (possibly, a blocked bank account (more details down below))
- a transcript of your study skills
- a language certficate
Please make sure you apply for your visa well in advance as the process might take several months! Find helpful information also on this website.
Whether or not you need a visa, depends on your nationality (see also an up-to-date overview of the Federal Foreign Office). Some information are summarized on this site.
Blocked bank account:
If you're required to open a blocked bank account, please inform yourself about the many blocked bank account providers out there such as Expatrio and Fintiba and go with one of them. Many providers offer additional health insurance coverage. Please check whether the included health insurance coverage is in line with our h_da enrollment regulations.
Europe: Students studying in Europe with a EU/EEA nationality
EU nationals do not need typically a visa. If you have second nationality from a member state of the EU or a country belonging to the EEA, you typically do not require a visa for your exchange semester in Germany, either. However, do check back with the embassy or consulate in your home country who's in charge of you.
Europe: Students studying in Europe who have a residene permit to study in that country (EU-REST procedure))
You belong in this group if…
- you have a vaild residence permit for the purpose of study in an EU member state (except for Denmark, Ireland, UK); the "Karta Polaka" is not accepted as residence title
- you have been admitted for an exchange semester at h_da
If this applies to you, you are eligible for a simplified visa application procedure called EU-REST (REsearches & STudents). It's not a classical visa application but a formal request to have your current residence permit cover your exchange in Germany as well. It is requested at the Federal Office of Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and allows you to study in Germany for up to 360 days as well as to travel within the EU. If you are not sure whether this applies to you, please contact the embassy at your home country first.
These are the documents we need from you:
The REST permit has to be requested by us (not by you). For this, please send us the following documents by email (they should be in English or German):
- residence permit for the EU Member State where you're currently studying (the permit must be for study purposes; the word "study" has to appear in the document)
- signed declaration for health insurance and livelihoof (no further proof required)
How to finance your studies:
- a scholarship confirmation from your home university listing 992 euros** or less per month (the document has to state how much you receive per month)
- a confirmation of a blocked bank account with a financial institution that is permitted to carry out banking transactions in the Federal Republic of Germany. A blocked bank account is an account where you deposit money but that lets you use only a certain amount of the money each month, i.e. part of the money is blocked. Typically, you cannot use more than 992 euros** from this bank account each month
- a declaration of commitment (issued by the German embassy)
- a written confirmation from your parents (details in the letter should include: amount, period, date and signature) and a copy of your parents' passport. You're also required to provide evidence about how you receive this money from your parents (e.g. through a bank statement listing the respective transactions)
- a student loan
- your own bank statement (which cannot be older than three months and not be longer than 2 pages)
- if you have a job: an income confirmation for this job (you'll need a copy of your work contract).
These options may be combinded to reach the overall sum of 992 euros** per month.
** The sum is subject to change; please check yourself what sum applies with the Federal Foreign Office.
Processing time:
The Federal Office of Migration and Refugees (BAMF) is allowed to decline the application within 30 days (but in most cases, it has to accept it). It is your resposibility to hand in the documents in time.
Privacy Statement: Please read this privacy statement for using your personal data on the BAMF plattform.
Please note that starting mid-2025, you'll need to apply for an ETIAS permission by the European Union (including a fee).
Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea and the US (Visa Waiver)
If you’re from one these countries, you can
- a) apply for a visa that covers the entire period of your stay,
or - b) enter Germany on your passport, i.e. without a visa, and apply for a so-called residence permit in Germany (about 2 months into your stay).
Please note that starting mid-2025, you'll need to apply for an ETIAS permission by the European Union (including a fee).
Option a):
You apply at the German embassy or consulate in your home country before coming to Darmstadt. Often, embassies and consulates are less strict about the proof of financial means. (Option b requires you to deposit a large amount of money on a special bank account). We highly recommend this option! Below you'll find out why.
OR
Option b):
You may enter Germany without a visa and then request a so-called residence permit once you’re in Germany. Entering on your passport gives you the right to stay in Germany for up to 90 days. Of course, your stay with us will be longer than 90 days, which is why you will need to request a residence permit shortly after your arrival. Requesting a residence permit is similar to requesting a visa.
It requires you to prove financial means of minimum 992 euros (as of September 2024) for each month you‘ll be staying in Germany. We will support you with the process of applying for a residence permit in Darmstadt.
In many cases it takes some weeks to receive an appointment with the Foreigner's Office in Darmstadt/Dieburg. It is also likely that you will not be able to get your residence permit before the 90 days have expired (which means you will not be able to travel outside of Germany for a while). This is why we highly recommend applying for a visa in your home country.
If you do choose this option, we will assist you with your residence permit application once you're in Darmstadt/Dieburg!
China and India (APS Application)
Students from India and China must apply for their visa at the Academic Evaluation Center (APS). This process is mandatory and cannot be avoided. The individual APS group number will be requested by Marina and Ronja after successful admission to h_da and then forwarded to the students. You can then use this number to apply for your visa.
All other nationalities: Students from any other country except Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Korea and the US
If you’re from a non-EU country other than Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea or USA, you require a visa to enter Germany. Please apply for a visa at the embassy or consulate in charge of you as early as possible using the Letter of Acceptance we will send or have sent you. Your visa has to be approved before you leave your home country for your exchange semester in Germany.
Please note that starting mid-2025, you'll need to apply for an ETIAS permission by the European Union (including a fee).
Two nationalities: Students having two nationalities
- You have two nationalities: Your first nationality is from a EU/EEA state and your second nationality is from another EU/EEA state: In this case you typically do not require a visa for your exchange semester in Germany. However, do check back with the embassy or consulate in your home country who's in charge of you.
- You have two nationalities: Your first nationality is from a EU/EEA state and your second nationality is from a state outside of the EU/EEA:If this is the case, the EU REST procedure typically applies (you'll find the details on this procedure on this website). Please do check bank with the embassy or consulate in your home country who's in charge of you.
- You have two nationalities both of which are from states outside of the EU/EEA: In this case you typically require a visa, unless one of these nationalities is from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Korea or the US. Please read the information listed on this site and make sure to check back with the embassy or consulate in your home country who's in charge of you.
2. Visa extension (i.e. residence permit)
If your visa does not cover the entire period of your stay with us or you're extending your exchange period with us, you‘ll need to request a so-called residence permit (“Aufenthaltserlaubnis“).
The following documents are required to request a residence permit at the Foreigner‘s Office Darmstadt (“Ausländerbehörde“):
- Residence permit request form "Erteilung" (see the request form for Darmstadt under "Formulare" and use our explanation sheet on how to fill it out)
- copy in color of your valid passport (the parts that list your personal details and your visa/entry stamp)
- an h_da enrollment certificate (“Immatrikulationsbescheinigung“; can be downloaded from my.h-da.de) ("Student Services" > "Reports")
- German proof of your health insurance coverage during your stay in Germany (confirmation from insurance provider with specific insurance period; the preliminary one is not enough!)
- proof of sufficient financial means (documents in German or English only):
- bank statements of a German (Giro) bank account with 992€ per month for at least 6 months or more (depending on the period you apply for)
- OR a scholarship or work contract (listing the monthly amount of your scholarship/work)
- OR both documents, if the sum of your scholarship is less than the above mentioned sum per month.
- in certain cases, a blocked bank account can be required. Your full name must appear on the confirmation.
- your rental contract OR this confirmation form filled out by your landlord/-lady (it is not the "Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung")
- original colored biometric picture in the correct size
- document power of attorny signed by you (so we can forward your documents)
- requesting a residence permit costs about 113 euros to be paid at the appointment only.
Please find the information summarized on this broschure by the Immigration Office Darmstadt.
3. Having a student job
You can also work during your stay, but you have to consider the following:
- Exchange students from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland can work for an unlimited period of time (the same rules apply as for German students) - however, please note that you're required to take out German health insurance coverage (your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) does not exempt you from that)
- Exchange students from all other countries can work up to 140 full days /280 half days per calendar year; the combination is allowed (freelance work is prohibited).
- Voluntary internships also fall under this regulation (compulsory internships do not count); if your internship or employment lasts longer than 140 days, the approval of the Foreigners' Registration Office (and, if applicable, the German Employment Agency) must be obtained before employment begins. This can take several weeks and might be rejected.
- Student jobs at university, the Studierendenwerk or the AStA (as tutor or student assistant, for example) are allowed without restriction.
- Exchange students without a visa (with the 90-day rule) are not allowed to work without a residence permit.
Further information on the website of the Immigration Office Darmstadt.
General information about working as international student
4. Extending your residence permit
If you need to extend your residence permit in Darmstadt (e.g. because you plan to do an internship), you have to do so ideally 3 months before your residence permit expires. You generally have to submit the application for an extension in the city where you are currently registered.
Case 1: You will return to your home country a few days after your residence permit has expired:
- In general, you do not have to submit a complete application for an extension.
- Write an email about three months before your residence permit expires to auslaenderbehoerde@darmstadt.de and state when your residence permit expires and that you would like to apply for an extension.
- Be sure to save your sent email and the automatic reply; this will initially serve as proof that you have applied for an extension in good time (fictitious effect).
- Be sure to deregister at the city hall when you leave Darmstadt.
- These steps are sufficient to ensure that your current residence permit remains valid until you leave the country.
Case 2: Your residence permit is about to expire, but you would like to do an internship in Darmstadt or continue your studies there, for example:
To extend your permit at the Darmstadt Foreigners' Registration Office, you must submit the following documents (by email to auslaenderbehoerde@darmstadt.de):
- completed application for an extension of the residence permit (see ‘forms’ on the website of the Foreigners' Registration Office); please use our explantion sheet
- additional required documents
- Please note that the renewal of a residence permit costs about 113 euros (including the fictional confirmation).
- If you move to another city in Germany: Be sure to register first at the local city hall; the local immigration office is then responsible for you (i.e. the application for renewal must be submitted there if it has not already been done in Darmstadt).
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Contact
Marina Zielke (she/her) &
Ronja Schneider (she/her)
Incoming exchange students advisors
+49.6151.533-68014
+49.6151.533-60022
incoming.int@h-da.de
Office: C23, 02.10