Your entry visa is usually valid for 90 days.
Important: Apply for your residence permit at least 8–12 weeks before your visa expires!

This also applies if you were allowed to enter Germany without a visa (visa-free entry for certain countries).

Please note: If you submit your application after your visa has expired, this may have legal consequences (e.g., problems with renewal or residence).

If you are a citizen of an EU country or the European Economic Area (EEA) and are staying in Germany for longer than 90 days, you do not need a residence permit.

Instead, you can apply for a so-called EU freedom of movement certificate directly when you register at the citizens' office.
An additional appointment at the immigration office is not necessary.

If you are not from an EU or EEA country, please note the following:

1. First, register at your place of residence (see section Living in Germany).
2. Book an appointment with the relevant immigration office well in advance—ideally 8–12 weeks before your visa expires.
3. Which office is responsible depends on your place of residence.

You will find a checklist with all the documents required to apply for your residence permit here.

Please apply for an extension appointment with the immigration office in good time – 8 to 12 weeks before your current residence permit expires.

Important: If you only apply for an appointment after your residence permit has expired, this may have legal consequences (e.g. problems with further extensions or work permits).

If you...

• exceed the standard period of study or
• change your degree program after the third semester,

...the immigration office may request an additional certificate of study progress.

You can obtain this certificate by emailing the Student Office at Bochum University of Applied Sciences.
Please include a copy or scan of the letter from the immigration office.

If your residence permit has expired before you were able to obtain an extension appointment, the immigration office may issue a so-called provisional residence permit in individual cases.

This allows you to remain in Germany legally on a temporary basis until a decision has been made on your application.
Please note, however, that in some cases a provisional residence permit is not possible or necessary.

If you are unsure, ask your case worker or the information desk at the immigration office.

If you are unable to book an appointment online shortly before your residence permit expires, please proceed as follows:

1. Send an email to the relevant immigration office.
   This will provide you with written proof that you made an effort to book an appointment in time.
2. Submit the application for extension

• in person at the immigration office or
• by mail (registered mail recommended).
• Important: Please do not send your original passport, only copies of your ID!
• Ask for written confirmation of receipt or keep the proof of mailing.

The immigration office in the place where you are currently registered is always responsible.

Please note when moving house:
If you have not yet officially re-registered, the immigration office in your previous place of residence is still responsible for you.

The student residence permit is only valid for the degree program and university specified in the application—and, as a rule, only for as long as you are enrolled in that degree program.

If you wish to change 

• your degree program
• or university 

within the first 18 months of your studies, you can usually do so once without prior approval from the immigration office.

Important: You must report the change to the immigration office immediately so that your residence permit can be adjusted accordingly.

If you want to change your degree program or university after the third semester:

Please note: You must always obtain approval from the immigration office in advance!
Be sure to make an appointment before enrolling at the new university or changing your degree program.

Retroactive approval is not usually granted – this can lead to serious problems, such as the loss of your residence permit.

• Gather all documents relating to the planned change (e.g., letter of admission, recognition of credits).
• Make an appointment with your immigration office.
• Apply for a change in your purpose of residence.
• Request a certificate of study progress from the Student Office at Bochum University of Applied Sciences by email.
  ➜ Please enclose a copy of the letter from the immigration office.

The immigration office will check whether the transfer is reasonable and relevant to your studies. Your chances increase if:

• many of your previous academic achievements can be recognized
• you are placed directly into a higher semester
• the change does not cause a significant delay in your course of study
• you can provide a good reason for the change
• you can complete your studies within a maximum of 10 years (total length of stay)

Before traveling abroad, please check how long your German residence permit is still valid.

If your residence permit expires during your stay abroad, you must have it extended before leaving Germany.

Please note:
It is not possible to extend your residence permit while abroad!
The German Embassy cannot extend your residence permit.
In this case, you would have to apply for a new visa, which can take several months and lead to delays in your studies.

With your German residence permit, you may travel to other Schengen countries for up to 90 days – for tourism purposes only!

• Your residence permit must be valid for the entire duration of your trip.
• Study or internship stays are not permitted.

A list of all Schengen countries can be found here: Schengen-countries at the Federal Foreign Office

If you leave Germany for more than 6 months, your residence permit will automatically expire – even if it would officially still be valid for longer!

This applies, for example, to:

• Exchange semesters abroad
• Internships abroad
• Thesis work in your home country

What you need to do:

Before leaving Germany, apply for a re-entry permit from the relevant immigration office.
This only applies if your residence permit is still valid.
Plan your application well in advance!

Then you will need to apply for a new student visa at the relevant German embassy abroad in order to return to Germany and continue your studies.

This often takes several months, so make sure you plan ahead.