Visa

Students from the following countries do not need a visa :

• European Union (see below)
• Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway (EEA countries), and Switzerland (see below)
• Andorra
• Australia
• Brazil
• El Salvador
• Honduras
• Israel
• Japan
• Canada
• Monaco
• New Zealand
• San Marino
• South Korea
• USA
• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

All other students who come from countries not listed above need a visa to enter Germany.

Please do NOT enter Germany with a tourist visa, as this cannot be converted into a residence permit for study purposes.

There are different types of visas that are suitable for this purpose:

• Visa for study application: with this visa you can obtain a residence permit for a maximum of 9 months. If you are not admitted to a degree program or a preparatory German course at a university or a Studienkolleg after this period, you will have to leave Germany again.
• Visa for study preparation: With this visa you can obtain a residence permit for a maximum of 2 years. Within these 2 years, you can attend preparatory German courses (no longer than 18 months in total) and, if necessary, complete the Studienkolleg or compulsory internships for your future studies. After that, your stay can only be extended if you have been admitted to a degree program.
• Visa for studies: With this visa you can obtain a residence permit for degree studies.

Citizens from EU countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway enjoy freedom of movement within the European Union. After entering the country, they must register with the registration office within three months and provide information on the purpose of their stay. The following documents are usually required for this:

• "Registration of residence" and "Notification of residence" in accordance with § 5 of the Freedom of Movement Act / EU (forms available from the Regensburg City Registration Office)
• Passport or identity card
• Proof of family affiliation, if applicable
  (e.g. marriage certificate, certificate of parentage)
• "Confirmation of residence" (form at the registration office of the city of Regensburg)

If you are already in possession of an EU residence notification or a certificate of your right of residence and are moving to Regensburg from Germany, you only need to register with the registration office.

Swiss citizens also enjoy freedom of movement within the European Union and must register with the immigration authorities within three months of entering the country. They do not require a visa or work permit, but can obtain a residence permit on request. The following documents are usually required for this:

• Registration and application for a residence permit (forms available from the immigration office)
• Passport or identity card
• Matriculation
• Health insurance
• Proof of sufficient means of subsistence

If you already have a residence permit and are moving to Regensburg from the
Germany to Regensburg, you only need to register with the Foreigners' Registration Office.