Residence permit for international students in Germany
If you are wondering whether you need to obtain a residence permit during your studies, this is explained in detail under Do I need a residence permit?
A short, simplified summary: if you are a non-EEA citizen and if your stay in Germany is going to exceed three months, you will need a residence permit. You can apply for this at the Ausländeramt .
Student helpers will be on hand to assist you with the formalities during the Orientation Weeks for international students.
If you are an EU or EEA citizen
EU and EEA citizens do not need to obtain a residence permit document. (List of EU and EEA countries)
However, those staying in Germany for the long term can obtain a document that confirms their entitlement to stay in Germany permanently after five years of living here.
If you are from Switzerland
As a Swiss citizen, you need to obtain a document of the type Aufenthaltserlaubnis-CH if you wish to stay in Germany for more than 90 days. This is a special type of residence permit for Swiss people living in Germany. As of September 2020, the paper version costs 8 Euros, an electronic version costs between 22.80 and 28.80 Euros, depending on your age.
If you are from the United Kingdom
UK citizens who moved to Germany before the end of 2020 must obtain a residence document (Aufenthaltsdokument-GB) by the end of June 2021 to protect their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
UK citizens who arrive in Germany after 1st January 2021 require a residence permit to stay in Germany for more than 90 days (out of any rolling 180-day period).
If you are from another country but you did not need a visa to enter Germany
If you are from a country that is not part of the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland, and if you arrived in Germany without needing a visa, then you definitely must obtain a residence permit if you wish to study in Germany. You should apply for one as soon as you arrive in Passau.
If you needed a visa to enter Germany
If you needed a visa to travel to Germany, then you need to check how long the visa allows you to stay in Germany for.
If your visa covers the whole duration of your studies (and your stay) in Germany, then you do not need to obtain a residence permit.
If your visa expires before your studies are due to finish, then you must obtain a residence permit. You should start the process of applying for a residence permit at least 8 weeks before your visa expires.
Please note: you must have the correct type of visa (i.e. a student visa) in order to obtain a residence permit. If you arrived on a tourist visa, for example, you will not be able to obtain a residence permit.
If you already have a residence permit
If your residence permit expires before your studies or your stay in Germany are finished, then you must apply for a new residence permit. You should start the process of applying for a residence permit at least 8 weeks before your old one expires.
Applying for a residence permit
Citizens of countries that aren't part of the EEA are issued electronic ID cards for foreign citizens, the 'e-Aufenthaltstitel'. If either your visa or residence permit is about to expire, you should renew your residence permit at least eight weeks before your current one runs out. At the time of writing, the fee for a student residence permit application is €100.00 (frist time) and €93.00 for renewals (date of information: January 2024).
Further information can be found in a detailed information sheet on residence permits from the Immigration Office in Passau.
| Documents | Explanation |
| Copy of your valid passport | ► main page(-s) |
| Copy of your entry visa | ► only for first-time application, only if applicable |
| Copy of your entry stamp (in your passport) | ► only for first-time application, entry to Germany or Schengen area |
| Copy of your landlord's certificate (Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung) | ► only for first-time application, signed and filled by your landlord, you can download the here |
| Copy of your city registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung) | ► only for first-time application or if you moved, received from the City Service Office after completing the city registration |
| biometric photo | ►not older than three months |
| completed application form | ► please use "Erstantrag" for first-time application and "Verlängerung" for extending your residence permit |
| enrolment certificate from the University of Passau (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung) | ►needs to be up-to-date and for the duration of your extension , e.g. your permit expires in February, provide an enrolment certificate for winter and summer term. |
| Health insurance certificate | ► if possible in German; recent letter from the insurance company - ask for a "Mitgliedschaftsbescheinigung nach §175 SGB V"). If you use a foreign health insurance for enrolment (e.g. AT 11), make sure to have a certificate for this covering the period of your extension. |
| Proof of sufficient funds for your stay of at least 934,- euros per month (date of information: January 2024), such as one of the following: | |
| |
| ► given by a company, organisation or private individual residing in Germany. ► The guarantee has to be certified by the local immigration office at the guarantor's domicile. ► Needed as well are bank account statements showing that the amounts have actually been paid into the account for the last six months. |
| ► held in a German bank, with a monthly withdrawal limit of €934 (date of information: January 2024) ► The minimum deposit must be €934 times the number of months the new residence permit shall be valid for (typically for one year; up to two years) ► The limit can only be removed with the approval of the Foreigner's Office. |
| ► under specification of the exact monthly/weekly hours ► Duration: the period of your work contract should cover the period of the extension of your residence permit ► The net payment does not cover the monthly amount? Then a combination of your work contract and a blocked account is necessary. ► You need to provide three months' payslips in case your salary changes (e.g. paid per hour worked) |
Ausländeramt
Please note: At the moment (spring 2024) you need an appointment to visit the Foreigner's Registration Office. The University supports international students during their extensions and first-time applications for residence permits. Please check further details after loggin on to Stud.IP in the announcements.
Contact information for the Ausländeramt ('foreigners' registration office') in Passau:
Rathausplatz 1
auslaenderamt@passau.de
When contacting the Foreigner's Registration Office directly, please, make sure to include your date of birth and contact details! All documents attached to your e-mail need to be in PDF format.
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