Visa Service for international students
Our services here include applying for and extending residence permits at the Berlin Foreigners' Registration Office (Berliner Ausländerbehörde). Thus, you are spared the trip there. However, take into account that you need to wait for some weeks before you get your passport back.
The Visa Service is available to all international students and doctoral candidates as well as academic staff and will be pleased to offer help with questions and problems.
| Opening hours: | |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 11:00 - 14:00 |
| Thursday | 13:00 - 16:00 |
The last day we accept passports in the summer semester 2012 is the 30 May
Location: "Orbis Humboldtianus"
E-Mail: visaservice@uv.hu-berlin.de
Telephone (during office hours only): (+49 [0]30) 2093-22 21
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++++ CURRENT NEWS ++++
Since 1st September 2011, the electronic residence permit (eAT) is getting issued card-sized including biometric information. This changed the used procedures which may result in delays. We can give you advice for the details.
In the light of recent events we'd like to remind you to check your documents for completeness before (!) you see us. Please also bring copies of your papers and your passport (data page and current visa). This will help reducing the waiting time for yourself and others.
Please contact us as soon as possible for advise on the deadlines for the application of your residence permit.
Due to the long waiting times through the 'Firmenservice' (corporate service) of the Foreigners' Registration Office at the moment, where we submit your applications, we advice you to contact the Foreigners' Registration Office yourself by arranging an appointment online in time ► eAppointment (about six weeks before the expiry of your visa).
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(1) Application for a residence permit according to § 78a
(adhesive label)
Exceptions from the electronic residence permit (eAT) are provided by § 78a for
- Exchange students, scholars with scholarships funded by official (German) means
- Students not staying longer in Germany than 12 months
- Students allowed to enter Germany without visa according to § 41 paragraphe 1 AufenthV, i.e. nationals from Australia, Canada, Republic of Corea, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, and USA.
These students get an adhesive label in their passport as before.
The following documents need to be submitted:
- Admission to undergraduate or graduate studies or confirmation to an exchange programme at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (copy)
- Passport
- 1 current passport-type photos, more...
- Registration at the Local Registration Office of the Berlin boroughs (Bürgeramt). The form is downloadable in PDF format (copy).
- Proof of health insurance (copy)
- Proof of financial coverage, or scholarship certification (copy)
- Application for a residence permit. The form can be found on the internet in PDF format in German, English, French, Italian and German, Greek, Turkish, Serbian and German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian. The form has to be filled out with black ink.
- Marriage certificate and birth certificate(s), if applicable (if spouse or children intend to live in Germany) (copy)
It may take approximately 4 weeks until you get your residence permit. The costs can amount to 60 Euro.
(1.1) Extension of the residence permit
The following documents are necessary:
- Passport
- 1 current passport-type photo, more...
- Current Registration Certificate from the Local Registration Office of the Berlin boroughs (Bürgeramt). The form is downloadable in PDF format (copy)
- Current detailed certificate of enrolment (Große Immatrikulationsbescheinigung) (original)
- Proof of financial coverage (copy)
- Proof of health insurance (copy)
In case the Foreigners' Registration Office requests a plan of studies (Studienprognose), please contact the relevant Examination Office (Prüfungsamt) of your faculty. The plan should include information on the holder's stage and expected end of studies.
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(2) Application for an electronic residence permit (eAT)
with or without eID function
The application for an electronic residence permit issued card-sized including biometric information (finger prints, body hight, eye colour) has to be made personally at the Foreigners' Registration Office. Please arrange your appointment there online in time ► eAppointment.
The following documents need to be submitted:
- Admission to undergraduate or graduate studies or confirmation to an exchange programme at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- Passport
- 1 current passport-type photos, more...
- Registration at the Local Registration Office of the Berlin boroughs (Bürgeramt). The form is downloadable in PDF format.
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of financial coverage, or scholarship certification
- Application for a residence permit. The form can be found on the internet in PDF format in German, English, French, Italian and German, Greek, Turkish, Serbian and German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian. The form has to be filled out with black ink.
- Marriage certificate and birth certificate(s), if applicable (if spouse or children intend to live in Germany)
It may take up to 6-8 weeks until you get your residence permit. The costs can amount to 110 Euro.
If the eAT needs to be extended, the application process has to be repeated because the biometric information is not saved at the Foreigners' Registration Office. This also applies to its loss.
More information about the eAT can be found on the websites of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge).
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For further information on residence permits try the key word "Studium in Berlin". On the same page there is information on the " Neues Aufenthaltsgesetz" (New Residence Act), which has been in force since January 1, 2005.
