Entry for the purpose of studying

You are very welcome to study in Germany.

You will need an appropriate visa to enter Germany. You apply for your visa for the purpose of studying at German embassies or consulates in your country of origin. The visa will be issued if you fulfill all university admission requirements for the respective course of study.

Special entry requirements apply to you as a citizen of

• Australia
• the Cook Islands
• Guam
• Israel
• Japan
• Canada
• the Cocos Islands
• the Republic of Korea
• New Zealand
• Niue
• the Norfolk Islands
• Puerto Rico
• Tokelau
• the Christmas Islands
• the United States of America, the US Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

You can enter Germany without a visa as long as you have a travel document that is valid for at least 6 months. You will then also need a residence permit in Germany.

Entry under other conditions

Whether you can enter Germany under other conditions depends on the type of residence permit you have in the relevant EU or EEA country.

1. Family members: If you are a family member of an EU or EEA citizen, but are neither an EU, EEA nor Swiss citizen yourself, you will need a visa to enter Germany. You will then receive a residence card from the immigration authorities in Germany.
2. If you have a right of residence that entitles you to EU-wide mobility, you do not need a visa to visit Germany. If you intend to stay longer than 90 out of 180 days per year, you should check whether an appropriate visa is required and can be issued in the country where you are currently staying. You must then apply for a residence permit in Germany after entering the country.
3. However, if you have a permanent right of residence in another EU member state, you can generally enter Germany without a visa and apply for a residence permit from the local immigration authority.