Visa & Residence Permit

Different requirements and regulations apply, depending on whether you are

• an EU-National
• a non-EU-National
• a non-EU-National coming from an EU country

Detailed information is available on the respective pages.

Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality, and in some cases also on whether you already have a study visa in another member state of the European Union. Please follow the links to get to the pages with more detailed information which may apply to you:

EU Nationals

Non-EU Nationals

Non-EU Nationals from another EU Country who are currently studing in another EU country for a degree and who are coming to Germany for studies (not for traineeships/internships) / either in the framework of Erasmus+ SMS (student mobility for studies) or in the framework of a double degree programme or another exchange agreement between Ulm University and another university in the European Union (not free movers)

All students who do not have the nationality of one of the European Union membership states (non-EU nationals) need a passport to enter Germany. For EU nationals, a national identity card is sufficient (but it can be convenient to have a passport in addition, e.g. for travels).

As soon as you apply to go to Germany, you should check if your identity card and/or passport are valid for the whole period you plan to stay in Germany and until your return to your home country / the country of your sending university.

• If you do not yet have a passport: apply for one immediately.
• If your passport or identity card will expire, make sure to apply for an extension immediately.

All international students who are neither EU nationals nor from one of the EFTA countries are required to apply for a residence permit valid for the duration of their study period at a German university; this permit is issued by the "Auslaenderbehörde" (foreigners registration office) of the city of residence in Germany. In order to obtain this permit students must prove that they have sufficient financial support to cover their living costs during their study period in Germany ("Finanzierungsnachweis"). The current monthly minimum is € 735 (as of September 2016).

There are several options how one can prove sufficient financial recourses. It may be necessary to use a combination of different types of proof.

• A written confirmation (in German or English) from parents that they will take responsibility for all expenses related to the study period in Ulm. In addition to this confirmation parents have to prove sufficient funds by presenting a bank statement / bank letter (sample letter).
• A scholarship confirmation by any official German or international scholarship organisation. If the scholarship grants less than 690 Euro per month an additional proof of financial rescources is needed to cover the difference.
• A formal written commitment from relatives or acquaintances living in Germany (§ 68 Aufenthaltsgesetz) submitted to the German diplomatic mission abroad or to the respective registration office in Germany. Persons signing this commitment must prove that they are in a position to maintain this commitment.
• A blocked account at a German bank from which one is allowed to withdraw a fixed amount per month (€ 735 or more). This service is not offered by all banks and is restricted to several countries (e. g. PR China).

The documents must be written in English or German or they must be accompanied by certified translations in one of those languages.