Visa and Residence
Applicants from certain countries need a visa in order to enter Germany. You can find out whether you require a visa by contacting the German embassy or consulate in your home country or by consulting the Visa navigator or Overview of visa requirements and visa exemptions for entry into the Federal Republic of Germany provided by the Federal Foreign Office. Citizens of countries that are marked with "(3)" or "(4)" in this overview and for which "No" is stated under "Visa requirement for Germany" may enter Germany to study without a visa. Students must apply for a residence permit at the responsible Foreigners' Office (Ausländerbehörde) before the first 90 days have expired.
Citizens from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Switzerland do not need to apply for a visa to enter Germany. A list of German representations abroad can also be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.
For a student visa, you need to be admitted to study at a German university. The student visa is usually valid for three months and can then be converted into a residence permit for study purposes in Germany.
Please note: Under no circumstances can a tourist visa be converted into a residence permit for study purposes!
You will need the following documents to apply for a visa:
- Passport
- Confirmation of application or letter of admission from a German university
- Proof of funding for your studies in Germany
- Health insurance
Please find out about the formalities required for the visa application as early as possible from the German embassy or consulate. The procedure often takes several months. If you arrive late, you may miss important appointments.
More information on the Right of residence for foreign students can be found on the City of Osnabrück website.
Test for Academic Studies (TestAS) for international applicants
Would you like your application to be reviewed more quickly and with an overall more favorable outcome? We recommend you to take a Test for Academic Studies for international applicants (TestAS) beforehand. This is a standardized test of skills that are important for studying and is funded by the DAAD. The result should be submitted to the embassy with your visa application.
Please note: International exchange students who are studying at Osnabrück University for one or two semesters, do not need to take the Test for Academic Studies (TestAS).
Students from EU, EEA countries or Switzerland enter Germany without a visa but must register with the Citizens’ Office (Bürgeramt) in the city they live in Germany after entering the country. They will then receive a registration certificate confirming their residence in Germany (Meldebescheinigung). A residence permit is not required.
If you live in Osnabrück, you can register at Osnabrück Citizens’ Office (Bürgeramt) – either during the International Office’s Welcome Week or individually. In any case, you must schedule an appointment at the Citizens’ Office. During the Welcome Week, tutors will accompany newly arrived students to the Citizens’ Office on a designated date if they have booked an appointment for that day in advance. Please make sure that you arrive on time for your appointment, otherwise the booked time slot will expire!
Students who live in the district of Osnabrück should contact the Citizens’ Office and Foreigners’ Office in their town.
After entering Germany, Students from non-EU/EEA countries must register with the Citizens’ Office (Bürgeramt) in the city they live in. They will then receive a registration certificate confirming their residence in Germany (Meldebescheinigung). If they live in Osnabrück, they must register at Osnabrück Citizens’ Office (Bürgeramt) – either during the International Office’s Welcome Week or individually. In any case, you must schedule an appointment at the Citizens’ Office in advance. During the Welcome Week at the beginning of the semester, international students can be accompanied by tutors to the Citizens' Office on a designated date if they have booked an appointment for that day. Please make sure that you arrive on time for your appointment, otherwise the booked time slot will expire! Students living in the district of Osnabrück must contact the Citizens’ Office and Foreigners’ Office in their town.
In addition, students from non-EU/EEA countries, regardless of whether they have entered Germany with or without a visa, must apply for a residence permit online at the Foreigners’ Office within the validity period of their visa or – in the case of visa-free entry – within three months of entering the country. All supporting documents ( Entry without visa (PDF, 372 kB), Entry on a visa (PDF, 343 kB)) must be submitted digitally. You can either submit your application for the residence permit yourself or attend the International Office session during the Welcome Week, where we will complete the application together. Once your application has been processed, you will receive an appointment at the Foreigners’ Office via e-mail, during which the final formalities for issuing the residence permit will be completed. The cost of the residence permit is €100 for a residence permit of up to one year.
You will receive your residence permit as an electronic residence permit in the form of a chip card. It contains your fingerprint, your photo and your personal details. The supplementary provisions are also stored on the chip and printed out on an additional sheet. There is also an optional online ID function and an electronic signature function. The card is not issued directly by the Foreigners’ Office. It will take a few weeks before you can collect the card from the Foreigners’ Office. Please bear this in mind when renewing your residence permit and contact the Foreigners’ Office in good time. Here you will find further information on the Electronic residence permit. The International Office will be happy to answer any further questions you may have.
It is essential to provide proof of funding for your study visit. You must therefore provide evidence of how and to what extent the funding will be provided. The German authorities currently assume that students need around €992 per month to cover their living costs in Germany. Information on how to prove that you can afford to study in Osnabrück can be obtained from the Foreigners’ Office or under Tips for international students - How do I finance my studies in Germany?.
Registration of residence in Osnabrück / application for a residence permit and required documents
Please bring the following documents to your appointment and read the instructions for entry and relocation:
- Copy of passport (page with personal details, if available: visa + entry stamps)
- Landlord’s or landlady’s confirmation of residence (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) (you will receive this from your landlord/landlady when you move in)
Additional necessary documents and instructions for registration / residence permit (not applicable to EU/EEA citizens):
After completing your studies in Germany
Once you have withdrawn from the university (Exmatrikulation), a residence permit for study purposes is no longer valid, even if it was originally valid for a longer period!
After graduation, students from non-EU countries have the option of applying for a residence permit for 18 months to look for work. During this time, they are allowed to work without restriction.
The Study and Stay @OS project offers a comprehensive range of services and counselling to help you prepare for your career in Germany.
Further information on applications, job offers and local contacts can also be found on Make it in Germany.
Further information on the topic of residence in Germany
- Here you will find further General conditions for entry and residence in Germany (German Academic Exchange Service, DAAD).
- Further information for international students can be obtained from the German National Association for Student Affairs (DWS).