Depending on their country of origin, different immigration rules apply to international students from different countries.

A distinction is made between:

1. students from the EU (European Union), the EEA (European Economic Area) and Switzerland,
2. students who require a student visa for entry or for conferral of a doctorate in accordance with §16 (1) of the German Residency Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz) and
3. students who may enter the country without a visa, such as people from Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, New Zealand and the USA (may always enter without a visa). Equally, citizens of Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco and San Marino may enter the country without a visa, provided that they do not intend to take up paid employment.

Information on entry formalities can be found on the website of the German Foreign Ministry.

When they register in the residents’ registration office, students in category 1 will be given a form in which they must enter certain data about themselves. This must be completed and returned to the foreigners’ office with a copy of their certificate of enrolment. Students in category 2 must apply for a study residence permit from the foreigners’ office in their place of residence within the validity period of their visa. Students in category 3 must apply for a study residence permit from the foreigners’ office in their place of residence within the first three months of their stay.

In order to obtain a visa and residency permit, foreign students must be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to finance their first year’s stay. At present the amount required is set at 720 euros per month or 8,640 euros per year. Such proof may be documented in one of the following ways:

• account with notice of restriction
• a formal letter of commitment with credit check in accordance with §68 of the Residency Act (this is submitted by a third party to a foreigner's office or a representation abroad and must last for the entire duration of the course of studies.)
• proof of a scholarship from a recognised organisation
• bank guarantee
• statement of income and assets of the student’s parents with proof of creditworthiness through notarisation (in the case of a notarial declaration of income and assets of the student’s parents, it must be ensured that all information can be verified in the Federal Republic of Germany. Contradictory information or lack of proof of creditworthiness will mean that the statements given will be deemed implausible.)
• university or academic research facility contract for research employees (only in the case of doctoral students)

A study residence permit is only valid for studying in Germany and does not entitle the holder to take up paid employment. Foreign students do, however, have the right to work for 120 days or 240 half days per year without a work permit and to work part time in connection with their course of studies or within the university. The basis of calculation for employment on half days is the regular working hours of other employees within the organisation. For example, a half working day shall be considered to be employment of up to a maximum duration of four hours, if the regular working hours of the other employees is eight hours. The maximum duration is five hours if the normal regular working hours amount to ten hours. Students on German language courses may only undertake this paid employment (120 days or 240 half days) during the semester holidays.

The residence permit is issued for a particular purpose (study on a particular course, German language course, doctoral studies in the faculty) and is limited to the duration of the course of study. Provided that sufficient funding is confirmed, the foreigners’ office may issue the residence permit for two years. The study resident permit and duration of studies (including conferral of doctorate) may not generally exceed a maximum of ten years.

It is possible to change the subject that you are studying within the first 3 semesters, or later in exceptional cases. You must notify the foreigners’ office in good time (and in advance) of your change of course. If you change your course of study, university, location or take a leave of absence, your residence permit must be amended accordingly.