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, except for the bank statement):
- 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)
- proof of financial means for your exchange in Germany: 992 euros** per month for the period of your stay in Germany (*for more details, see below)
- proof of valid health insurance coverage, i.e. your European Health Insurance Card (as a scan, both back and front), a travel health insurance is not sufficient
*How to prove your financial means:
- 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. If you have a question concerning the REST procedure, please let us know: incoming.int@h-da.de
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.
Information for students from China
Information for students from India
Please note that starting mid-2025, you'll need to apply for an ETIAS permission by the European Union (including a fee).
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:
- 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).
- 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.
4. Extending your residence permit
If you need to extend your residence permit in Darmstadt (e.g. because you are doing an internship), this must be done well before your current permit expires. Please contact Marina and Ronja as early as possible, if this is the case. We will try to contact the Foreigners' Registration Office in Darmstadt. However, you must generally submit the extension application in the city in which you are now registered.
You must submit the following documents in Darmstadt:
- Application for an extension (="Verlängerung") of your residence permit (see the website of the Foreigners' Registration Office); please use our explantion sheet
- copy in color of your valid passport (the parts that list your personal details and your visa/entry stamp)
- an h_da enrollment certificate (this must be downloaded from my.h-da.de under "Student Services" > resports)
- a German certificate of your statutory health insurance for your entire stay at h_da (the provisional certificate is not sufficient)
- Proof of a German bank account for the last three months OR a scholarship certificate (showing the monthly amount of your scholarship) for at least 6 months with 992€ each (as of Sep 2024) OR both, if the scholarship is less than this amount; the proof must not be older than 1 month at the time of application.
- Please note that the extension of a residence permit also costs approx. 113 euros.
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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