Residence permit and registration

Immigrants coming from countries that are not members of the EU/EWR, that wish to study and stay in Germany, need a permit from the Immigration Authorities that allows them to stay during a certain time period. The residence permit will state, for what reasons and under which conditions a person from a third country can stay in Germany. Additionally, it will show the validity of the permit, meaning how long the person is allowed to stay in Germany.

Information on the corresponding residence status can be found here.

To issue a residence permit, please contact the Immigration Office. This must happen within three months of your arrival to Germany. Your respective Authority is always the one of the municipality where you live in.

Students, who have their addresses in Frankfurt, have as their respective Authority the Ausländerbehörde Frankfurt. If you live outside Frankfurt, you can find out the address of your Immigration Office at the Citizens Office where you registered your residence.

Supporting documents for the residence permit application

• Financial guarantee (at least €861.00 per month must be demonstrated.) Proof can be provided through:
  • a statement from a German bank confirming a savings balance of at least €10,332 in a blocked account from which only 1/12 of the deposited amount may be paid out each month.
  • the declaration of commitment from a person living in Germany according to § 68 AufenthG. The person must commit to pay for the entire living expenses of the student.
  • Proof of a scholarship which includes financial support of at least €861.00 per month.
• Valid passport (valid for at least one year)
• Health insurance

It is mandatory to regularly extend your residency permit and hereby show the supporting documents. We have summarized further information that can be found here.

As soon as you have found a place to live, you must declare your address to the authorities. The registration should take place a week after the move-in date. Please contact the registration office responsible for your district of residence. In the city district of Frankfurt, the registration Office is integrated in the Citizens’ Office. A list of all the Citizens´ Offices in Frankfurt can be found here.

If you live outside Frankfurt, you can find out the address of your registration office at the municipal town hall (Rathaus). After registering your domicile, you will receive a certificate which documents your right to permanent residency. The prerequisites for the issuance of this certificate are sufficient financial funds and a valid health insurance. Usually, the fulfillment of these requirements is not checked for students and applicants. However, an examination would be possible at any time if the suspicion arises, that the conditions are not met (for example: by receiving financial assistance). If the financial funds and/or the health insurance cannot be proven, the freedom of movement certificate and the residency can be revoked. The freedom of movement certificate should be applied for at the registration office no later than three months after the arrival.