Entry permit for Germany

For citizens of EU and EFTA countries, a valid passport is all that you need to enter Germany. All students from countries outside Europe must apply for a visa from the relevant German diplomatic agency in their home country (Embassy or Consulate) before entering Germany. For further information, please consult the German diplomatic agency in your home country.
Exception: exchange students with a citizenship of Australia, Brazil, Canada, Korea, New Zealand or the USA do not need a entry visa.

Important:

• the visa must be issued for the appropriate purpose of the stay (= studies).
• A tourist visa or so-called "Schengen visa" is not sufficient.
• It is not possible to change the type of visa after entering Germany.
• For multiple entries into Germany, e.g. to return after visiting home, it is recommended to apply for a "multiple-entry visa".
• Visas are issued by the German diplomatic agencies for a maximum of three months; after this period, they may be extended at the German Bureau for Foreigners in Munich as a residence permit.
• Exchange students from Australia, Brasil, Canada, New Zealand, the U.S. and South Korea (without visa prior to entry into Germany) also need to apply for a residence permit at the Immigration Office after three months.
• Please note the period of validity of the visa without fail.

Registration

On arrival, every student or trainee must immediately register his/her place of residence in Germany with the relevant registration office. You will receive more detailed information on this during the orientation events. Please note: it is also necessary to inform the registration office about any change of address within one week. Before returning to your home country, you must de-register with the registration office in person or writing. You can collect the corresponding forms for registering, re-registering or de-registering at www.muenchen.de > Rathaus > Stadtverwaltung > Kreisverwaltungsreferat > Bürgerbüro or at the registration office.

Required documents for registration:

• completed registration form
• a valid passport

Public authority in charge:
Kreisverwaltungsreferat (KVR) - Bürgerbüro -
Ruppertstraße 19, 80337 Munich (ground floor)
Underground line U3 or U6 (Poccistraße station)
Tel. + 49 (0)89 233-96000
Opening hours can be found here

Residence permit

Citizens of EU and EFTA countries do not require a residence permit. Students from countries outside the EU, who whish to stay in Germany longer than three months, must hold a valid residence permit issued by the immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde). The application for a residence permit needs to be filed at the latest six weeks before it looses the entry visa its validity.

Documents required to apply for a residence permit:

• the filled form“Antrag auf Erteilung bzw. Verlängerung der Aufenthaltsgenehmigung”
• proof of enrolment from Munich University of Applied Sciences
• a copy of your health insurance waiver or health insurance confirmation
• proof of sufficient financial funds to cover your living expenses in Germany (scholarship, letter from your bank or a letter from your parents)
• the confirmation of your registration which you receive from the registration office (Bürgerbüro)
• passport
• a biometric passport photograph
Please note: The very first application for a residence permit is liable to fees.

Public authority in charge:
Kreisverwaltungsreferat (KVR) –Ausländerbehörde-
Ruppertstraße 19, 80337 Munich, first floor
Underground line U3 or U6 (Poccistraße station)
Tel. + 49 (0)89-233-96000
Scheduled appointments only!

Tip: As you register and apply for a residence permit at the same public authority (Kreisverwaltungsreferat), it is advisable to register first on the ground floor and schedule an appointment for the residence permit application directly afterwards on the first floor of the Kreisverwaltungsreferat building.

Welcome Service

Dhairya, 25, USA: »I would have been lost in Munich if it wasn't for my buddy. The help and co-operation received throughout the semester was incredible. My buddy helped me with studies, german translations and essential paperwork for my comfortable stay in Munich.«

Munich University of Applied Sciences provides a Welcome Service to ensure that your arrival in Munich and settling into life at the university go as smoothly as possible. Students at Munich University of Applied Sciences ("buddies") support international exchange students during the first phase of their stay in Germany and provide useful help and advice, for example pick-up from the airport/train station and transport to the residence hall, registration at the Kreisverwaltungsreferat (Munich Registration Office) and help with their course of study at Munich University of Applied Sciences. You will be contacted by your "buddy" in due time before arriving in Munich. If you wish to have a 'buddy' in Munich, please apply for the welcome service in your online application to Munich University of Applied Sciences.

Public Transport (MVV)

Starting in winter semester 2013/14, the Munich public transportation system will introduce a compulsory semester ticket for all students enrolled at a university in Munich (Maximum costs about 200 Euros per semester). You will receive further information on the semester ticket during our Orientation Days and via Email.