Not all visa and residence permits are the same. Special regulations apply if you are in Germany on a student visa or residence permit for the purpose of studying. Here you can find out more!
To all newly admitted students: welcome! Please read all the information in our student portal Portal²! There, you will find most up-to-date guidance on your first semester, esepcially in the section 'Orientation events and Things to Do'! You can log in to Portal² with the same credentials you are using for the Application Portal! Find the Portal² here!
Most students require a visa for entry. Students from the following countries do not require visa:
If your country is not included in the above list, you need a visa for entry!
You will need one of the following documents for enrollment:
You need to register at the responsible residents’ registration office within two weeks after your arrival. Afterwards, you can hand in an application for a residence permit. If you live in Mannheim, you have to apply for a residence permit in K7.
Who is my contact?
The foreigner's office is situated in the same building as the residents' registration office (K 7, 2nd floor).
Address: K 7, 68159 Mannheim
Telephone: 0621 / 293-3221
E-mail: auslaenderbehoerde[at]mannheim.de
Opening hours:
Mon: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tue, Wed, Fri: 8:00 a.m. – noon
Thu: 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
We recommend handing in the application documents 4–6 weeks prior the expiration of your visa/
You need the following documents to apply for a residence permit:
How long does it take to get the residence permit?
The residence permit is issued as a separate document in credit card format. The electronic residence permit (eAT) contains a chip on which the personal data, photograph, and two fingerprints, as well as data on the right of residence are stored.
Since the electronic residence permit is produced centrally at the Federal Printing Office (Bundesdruckerei) in Berlin, it may take about 4–6 weeks for the permit to be issued.
If you need to have your residence permit extended, please make an appointment with the competent foreigners’ office six weeks before the residence permit expires at the latest. If you live in Mannheim, you must first hand in the relevant application to K7 4 – 6 weeks before your permit expires.
Who is my contact?
The foreigner's office is situated in the same building as the residents' registration office (K 7, 2nd floor).
Address: K 7, 68159 Mannheim
Telephone: 0621 / 293-3221
E-mail: auslaenderbehoerde[at]mannheim.de
Opening hours:
Mon: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tue, Wed, Fri: 8:00 a.m. – noon
Thu: 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
We recommend handing in the application documents 4–6 weeks prior the expiration of your visa/
You need the following documents to apply for a residence permit:
How long does it take to get the residence permit?
The residence permit is issued as a separate document in credit card format. The electronic residence permit (eAT) contains a chip on which the personal data, photograph, and two fingerprints, as well as data on the right of residence are stored.
Since the electronic residence permit is produced centrally at the Federal Printing Office (Bundesdruckerei) in Berlin, it may take about 4–6 weeks for the permit to be issued.
If you hold a German residence permit for the purpose of studying, you may work for 120 days per calendar year (or 240 half-days per calendar year). For longer employment terms you always have to request approval from the foreigners’ office beforehand and in due time.
Academic positions at the university or research institutions associated with the university are excluded from these regulations and do not count towards the 120 days.
If you are in Germany with a student visa, you are allowed to work 120 full or 240 half days per year. Internships that are required by your study program are not counted towards this working day limit. A confirmation that your study program includes a mandatory internship can be obtained from Student Services.
Relevant voluntary internships that are important for the successful completion of your studies are permitted by default and therefore not counted towards the working day limit, either.
Voluntary internships that are not relevant to your studies and exceed the 120 day/
If you hold a residence permit for the purpose of studying, an academic leave of absence requires the approval of the foreigners’ office. The Foreigner's Office in Mannheim does in most cases not permit an academic leave of absence due to an internship or semester abroad. If you are registered outside of Mannheim you must request approval from the foreigners’ office beforehand and in due time.
If you stay abroad for more than six months, your residence permit will automatically become invalid. This will also be the case if you return before the expiration date of your residence permit. If the duration of your exchange is more than six months, you have to request approval from the foreigners’ office in advance and stating a reason. Otherwise you will have to apply for a German visa again from inside your host country!
You are welcome to study abroad. However, please be aware that you will need an additional visa for you host country, even if it is a country within the EU!
Please note: If you stay abroad for more than six months, your residence permit will automatically become invalid. This will also be the case if you return before the expiration date of your residence permit. If the duration of your exchange is more than six months, you have to request approval from the foreigners’ office in advance. Otherwise you will have to apply for a German visa again from inside your host country!
For further information please see special requirements for international students in Mannheim.
Shortly after completing your program of study, you have to apply for a new residence permit. Please note that your program of study is deemed completed, as soon as the grade of your last examination is displayed on the portal, and not upon the reception of your degree certificate. Please keep in mind: regardless of the expiration date on the card, your student residence permit will automatically become invalid two weeks after your disenrollment.
As a graduate, you can apply for a residence permit for the purpose of finding employment, valid for 18 months. It allows you to work without restrictions. The application requirements are similar to those for the student residence permit. The only difference is that you can indicate a salary as proof of financial resources.
Disclaimer: We are continuously checking the contents of the information materials published by the International Office. However, we do not assume liability for these contents. All materials are for general information purposes only and cannot be binding for each individual case. The information provided is not necessarily complete, comprehensive or up-to-date. We do not give legal advice nor legally binding information. Neither can we substitute for information given by experts in individual cases.