Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - HU International

After prospective students have received the Letter of Admission (Zulassungsbescheid) or confirmation of admission on the basis of an exchange programme, a visa application should be made without delay because the processing will take time. The visa section of a consulate or embassy will normally issue a visa after a prescribed period of three weeks and two days (Schweigefrist), provided no objection has been received from the Berlin Foreigners' Registration Office. However, this is the minimum period of time required for the processing of the application.

Issuing a visa may take less time for students who receive a scholarship funded by German sources (e. g. a DAAD scholarship or a fully-fledged scholarship as part of inter-university arrangements). In such cases the visa can be issued without any further checks.

Please note: If you are staying in Germany not longer than 12 months, the German visa department may be asked to issue a D-Visa valid for all Schengen states for the entire intended (!) period of your stay with reference to Article 18 Section 2 SDÜ. In that case, no residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) is required during your stay in Berlin.