Entering Germany
After deciding that you would like to come to Germany for your doctoral studies, please check the immigration regulations that apply to you. The rules governing your entry into Germany and your stay here will depend on your citizenship.
EU and EEC citizens
fall under the principle of freedom of movement. You and your families can enter and stay in Germany without a visa or residence permit. After arriving in Germany, you must register your place of residence at the Local Administration Office (Bürgeramt) in the city in which you live.
EU member states (as of 2016): Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom
EEC states: EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway
Citizens of Switzerland
need only to apply for a declaratory “residence permit for Swiss citizens” after arriving in Germany. Information about this application is available from the applicable Foreigners’ Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde). After entering Germany, you must register your place of residence at the Local Administration Office (Bürgeramt) in the city in which you live.
Citizens of all other countries
must, with a few exceptions, apply for an entrance visa before coming to Germany. You can apply for a visa for a longer stay in Germany at the applicable German foreign mission (embassy or consulate) in your home country.
Exceptions to this rule for an entrance visa are citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea and the United States of America. The same applies to citizens of Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco and San Marino if they wish to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of studying after arriving in Germany.
Within a week of arriving in Germany you must register your place of residence at the Local Administration Office (Bürgeramt) of the city in which you live. Before your visa expires, usually within three months, you must apply for a residence permit at the applicable Foreigners’ Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde).
Different visa
Visa to enter Germany
If you need a visa to enter Germany, please make sure to obtain the visa that corresponds to the purpose of your stay here. You must enter with the correct visa in order to later obtain a residence permit to stay here for the duration of your doctoral studies. If you enter Germany on a tourist visa, you will not be issued a residence permit and will have to return to your home country.
Student application visa
A student application visa allows you to enter the country before you have been admitted to Heidelberg University. You must apply for this visa at the German foreign mission (embassy or consulate) in your home country. This visa is valid for three months and can be extended for an additional six months at the most. If, during this period, you receive your admission as a doctoral student, you can apply for a student residence permit.
Student visa
can be issued only if you have already been admitted to the University. You must apply for this visa at the German consulate or embassy in your home country. The visa is generally valid for three months.
Documents for applying for a student visa:
- application form for a visa (available at the German foreign mission in your home country),
- letter of admission to the University (Zulassungsbescheid) or a document stating that you will receive your letter of admission soon,
- proof of health insurance,
- proof of financial resources for the duration of the stay,
- if applicable, further documents, depending on the requirements of the German foreign mission in your home country.
Research visa
If specific requirements are fulfilled, a research visa may also be issued. To apply for this visa, it is necessary to submit a hosting agreement with the University to the German consulate or embassy in your home country. Please see below the information on the residence permit §18d AufenthG (for research purposes).