Visa
Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality, the length of your stay, and certain details of your studies. Be sure to plan enough time to apply for your visa, as processing an application can take several weeks or months. Do not enter Germany on a tourist visa! It cannot be extended or converted into a residence permit!
If you want to study in Germany, you will in many cases need a visa—even if you already have a residence permit from another EU country. Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. You can find a current list of countries requiring a visa on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.
Please contact the German embassy or consulate in your home country as early as possible to find out about the entry requirements and which documents you need for your visa application.
Important: You must apply for your visa in your home country before entering Germany. Entering Germany with the wrong visa may result in you not being allowed to start your studies.
If you are an EU/EEA citizen, you do not need a visa to study in Germany. Thanks to the freedom of movement within the EU, you can enter Germany without a visa. All you need is a valid passport or national identity card. If you stay longer than 90 days, you need to apply for a residence permit in Germany.
VisaFlow is a digital service designed to support our international students with the administrative steps involved in applying for a German student visa and, if required, a residence permit.
The platform guides you through the entire process in a structured way, helping you understand which documents are needed and how to prepare your application correctly. This makes the visa process more transparent and easier to manage.
Download VisaFlow App and activate your free of charge access with the code HSBOCHUM25
Residence permit
Once you have arrived in Germany, you must convert your visa into a residence permit for the purpose of studying. The immigration office in your place of residence is responsible for this. Make an appointment as early as possible, as there may be long waiting times depending on the city.
To obtain a residence permit for study purposes in Germany, you will generally need the following documents:
- Certificate of enrollment from the university
- Confirmation of registration from the citizens' office (registered address)
- Proof of financial support (e.g., blocked account or scholarship)
- Proof of valid health insurance
The immigration office in the place where you are currently registered is always responsible.
| For students living in Bochum | For students living in Velbert/ Heiligenhaus |
|---|---|
Rathaus Bochum Webseite: Immigration office | City of Bochum | Ausländeramt Mettmann Webseite: Ausländeramt | Kreis Mettmann |
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.
Please apply for an extension appointment with the immigration office in good time – 8 to 12 weeks before your current residence permit expires.
The residence permit is usually issued for two years and must be renewed in due time before it expires. Renewal depends on whether you are pursuing your studies seriously and successfully. Regular checks are carried out to ensure that you can complete your studies within a reasonable period of time. You can obtain such proofs by emailing the Sutdent Office at Bochum University of Applied Sciences. Please include a copy of the letter from the immigration office.
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).
Change of degree program or university
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 month of your studies, you can usually do so once without prior approval from the immigration office. You must report the change to the immigration office immediately so that your residence permit can be adjusted accordingly.
If you want to change the program or university after the third semester you need approval from the immigration office.
Stays abroad for international students
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. It is not possible to extend your residence permit while abroad!
With your German residence permit, you may travel to other Schengen countries for up to 90 days – for tourism purposes only!
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, e.g. to semesters and internships abroad. Before leaving Germany, apply for a re-entry permit from the relevant immigration office.
