Heidelberg university visa & immigration formalities

Visa:

Whether you need a visa to travel to Germany or not depends on your nationality and the duration of your stay. Below we have summarized the most important rules. Please ask if in doubt, however, always with a German diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) if you require a visa! The addresses of the German missions abroad and a freedom-or-state list of visa requirements found on the website of the foreign office. Citizens of EU countries, the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

Citizens of EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland generally require a visa. For the last entry is a valid identity card or an identity card. If you plan to stay longer than three months in Germany, you need a so-called movement certificate or a residence permit for nationals of Switzerland. These can be obtained from the competent authority for resident aliens. Nationals of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea and the U.S.

Nationals of these countries can also enter Germany without a visa. For stays longer than three months, you will need a residence permit. These can be requested after the entry to the competent authority for resident aliens. Nationals of all other non-EU countries (third countries)

Short stays up to three months:

If your stay in Germany will take longer than 90 days per half year is usually a so-called Schengen visa (C visa) is sufficient. These must be obtained prior to entry in to a German diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) in your home country or country of residence. Please note that a Schengen visa can not be extended or rewritten for a different reason! At the latest after the expiry of three months you have to leave.

Stays over three months:

If you plan to stay longer than three months in Germany, you need a national visa (D visa). These must be obtained prior to entry in to a German diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) in your home country or country of residence. Please arrive in no case with a Schengen visa (C visa) one! It is only valid for three months and can not be extended. After this period you have to pay their own travel costs to your country and apply for the appropriate visa.

Please apply for your visa in time! Case of an application for a visa that entitles them to a longer-term stay or to work, must be expected to be several months to process. If you’re traveling with your family to Germany, must be submitted for each family member a separate visa. If your partner wants to work in Germany, please indicate so in your visa application to necessarily with.