Visa and Residence Permits

1. A visa is valid for entering Germany. You can apply for a visa at the German embassy or consulate in your home country.
2. For a longer stay in Germany, you require a residence permit. You can apply for a residence permit at the competent foreigners’ office in Germany.

Most students require a visa for entry.
Students from the following countries do not require a visa:

• EU member states
• EEA member states (EU member states, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein)
• Andorra
• Australia
• Brazil
• El Salvador
• Honduras
• Israel
• Japan
• Canada
• Monaco
• New Zealand
• San Marino
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• USA
• United Kingdom

Please note: If your country is not included in the above list, you need a visa for entry.

Please apply for a visa early, i.e., as soon as the university has confirmed the receipt of your application documents. You can apply for a visa at the German embassy or consulate in your home country or in the country in which you are currently staying.

You will need one of the following documents for your studies in Germany:

• Visa for the purpose of studying or university application
• Settlement permit
• Residence permit for refugees
• Subsequent entry of family members
• Passport or ID of an EU or EEA member state (EU member state, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein)
• Passport of one of the following countries, if you have entered the EU less then 90 days ago:
  • Andorra
  • Australia
  • Brazil
  • El Salvador
  • Honduras
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Canada
  • Monaco
  • New Zealand
  • San Marino
  • South Korea
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom
  • USA

You need to register at the competent residents’ registration office within two weeks after your arrival.

• If you did not need a visa to enter the country, you should apply for a residence permit shortly after registering at the residents' registration office.
• If you entered the country on a visa, we recommend that you apply online for a residence permit or extend your existing onefour to six weeks before your visa expires. You will only receive an appointment after you have submitted your request.

Who is my contact?
The competent foreigner’s office is always the one responsible for your district/town.

Mannheim: The foreigner's office is situated in the same building as the residents' registration office (K 7, 2nd floor).
Address: K 7, 68159 Mannheim 

Phone: 0621 / 293-3221
E-mail:  auslaenderbehoerde[at]mannheim.de

To apply for a residence permit, you will need the following documents:

• Passport
• If it is not possible to apply electronically: Completed application form (available at your competent foreigner's office)
• German short-term/student visa (only if you require visa)
• Enrollment certificate issued by the University of Mannheim (you will receive the enrollment certificate automatically on the day of enrollment)
• Proof of financial resources for studying Please read the information sheet issued by the City of Mannheim (PDF, 219 kB).
• Proof of health insurance
• Rental agreement

Keep in mind: You will only receive an appointment after you have submitted your application. The processing of your application may take a few weeks.

If you hold a German residence permit for the purpose of studying, you are generally allowed to work for 140 days (or 280 half days) per calendar year.

Academic positions at the university or at a research institution associated with the university are excluded from these regulations and do not count towards the 140 days.
 

International students with a student visa/student residence permit are allowed to work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per calendar year. In addition, employment as a student/research assistant at the university are permitted. 

Internships that are mandatory as part of your program of study are generally not counted among these working days. You can obtain confirmation that your program of study requires a mandatory internship from the responsible person at the Student Services

Voluntary internships that are relevant to your studies are generally permitted and are not counted toward the 140 full or 280 half days, provided there is a close connection to your studies and this is confirmed by the university. If you have any questions, please contact madeinmannheimuni-mannheim.de.

International students with a residence permit for the purpose of studying in Germany generally require the approval of the immigration office for an academic leave of absence. In Mannheim, a leave of absence is usually not approved for internships or an exchange semester. If you are planning a leave of absence, please feel free to contact the Team for International Degree-Seeking Students.

If you do not live in Mannheim, you must apply for permission in good time at the immigration office responsible for your place of residence.

If you stay abroad for more than six months, your residence permit will automatically become invalid. This applies even if your residence permit has not yet expired. If you would like to stay abroad for more than six months, you need to request approval from the respective immigration office in advance, stating a reason. Otherwise, you will need to apply for a new German visa at a German embassy or consulate abroad.

You are welcome to study abroad. Please note that you may need an additional visa for your destination country—even for exchange programs within the EU.
If you stay abroad for more than six months, your residence permit will automatically become invalid. This applies even if your residence permit has not yet expired. If you would like to stay abroad for more than six months, you need to request approval from the respective immigration office in advance, stating a reason. Otherwise, you will need to apply for a new German visa at a German embassy or consulate abroad.

For further information, please see Special requirements for international students from Mannheim.

You can only change your program of study upon approval of the immigraion office. If you have doubts about your studies or are considering changing your field of study, please contact the Team for International Degree-Seeking Students. 

Please keep in mind that you can only hold the student residence permit for a maximum of ten years, regardless of the number of programs you were enrolled in or you have completed.

When completing or dropping out of your program of study, you have to apply for a new residence permit as soon as possible. If you any questions, please contact the Team for International Degree-Seeking Students. 

After completing your studies, you must promptly apply for a new residence permit. 

As a graduate, you can apply for a residence permit for job seekers for up to 18 months. During this period, you may work without restrictions.

If you have questions about transition from student to graduate, please contact the Team for International Degree-Seeking Students.