To ensure nothing stands in the way of your studies in Germany, it is important to take care of the necessary formalities in good time.
Visas
If you want to study in Germany, you need a visa before entering the country.
This does not apply to:
- Citizens of the European Union (EU) and member states and the EEA states
- Citizens of Switzerland
- Citizens of Andorra, Australia, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, Great Britain and Northern Ireland ( as defined in Section 1 Para. 2 No. 6 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU), Honduras, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino and the USA
- The visa is usually valid for one year. After arriving in Germany, you must register at the Residents' Registration Office in your new city of residence within 14 days.
Citizens of Andorra, Australia, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, Great Britain and Northern Ireland ( as defined in Section 1 Para. 2 No. 6 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU), Honduras, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino and the USA must apply for a residence permit for students from countries outside the EU/EEA before 90 days have elapsed.
You can find more information for the city of Ulm
here.
(only in German)Register your residence
In the first two weeks after moving in, you must register your residence in person with the city/municipality. Everyone
in Germany must do this, each time they change address.
Ulm Residents' Registration Office (Meldewesen)
- Stadt Ulm (Bürgerdienste); Olgastrasse 66, 89073 Ulm
- Registration: Meldewesen (only in German)
Neu-Uln Residents' Registration Office (Bürgerbüro)
- Bürgerbüro der Stadt Neu-Ulm; Petrusplatz 15, 89231 Neu-Ulm
- Registration: Bürgerbüro (only in German)
If you live somewhere else, you can find the contact details on the website of your town / municipality.
Registration
You MUST register within the first two weeks after moving in. Required documents for registration:
- Identity card / passport, possibly with visa
- Certificate of enrollment (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung) or admission to university (in this case, the certificate of enrollment must be submitted later)
- Confirmation from the landlord that you have moved in (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)
- Your spouse's details, if applicable (e.g. marriage certificate, divorce decree)
You will receive a confirmation of registration (Meldebestätigung) as official confirmation.
Deregistration
Deregistration is possible one week before moving out at the earliest. Required documents for deregistration:
- Identity card / passport
- Confirmation from your landlord that you have moved out, if available
Moving to a new address
If
you change address, you must also submit
- a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung about your moving out and moving into your new apartment/house.
Residence permit
Depending on your nationality, different regulations apply to your stay in Germany. If you need a residence permit for Germany and your visa does not cover the entire period, you must apply for a residence permit in person at the Foreigners' Registration Office.
Ulm Foreigners' Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde)
- Stadt Ulm (Bürgerdienste); Olgastrasse 66, 89073 Ulm
- Please note: the authority for registering your place of residence and the Foreigners' Registration Office are located in the same building.
- Residence permit: Ausländerbehörde Ulm (only in German)
Neu-Ulm Immigration office (Ausländerbehörde)
- Landratsamt Neu-Ulm; Kantstrasse 8, 89231 Neu-Ulm
- Please note: your registration and residence permit are issued by two different authorities: there must be at least two weeks between registration at the Citizens' Registration Office and the application for a residence permit
- Residence permit: Landratsamt (only in German)
Application
If you need to extend your residence permit, you should visit the Foreigners' Registration Office approx. 4-8 weeks before it expires. If you entered the country without a visa, you must apply for your residence permit within 90 days.
You will need the following documents for your application
- Application for a residence permit
- Biometric passport photo
- Passport, possibly with visa
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Scholarship confirmation
- Declaration of financial support from a family member
- Current bank statement, blocked account receipt
- Additional documents in Neu-Ulm: the registration confirmation from the citizens' office
The latest information on the required documents can be found
here for the city of Ulm and
here for the city of Neu-Ulm.
(Links only available in German)Costs
(as of February 2025)
- First issue: € 100
- Extension: € 96
(except for scholarship holders from German public institutions)
