Before you start your studies at the University of Cologne, you need to take care of some organizational matters. Here you will find an overview of the formalities regarding immigration and residence that you should complete before your departure and shortly after your arrival in Cologne.
Visa Regulations
EU/EEA citizens: EU/EEA citizens do not have to apply for a visa for entry into Germany.
Non-EU/EEA citizens: On the website of the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany you may find further information whether you need a visa for entering Germany. After having sucessfully applied at the University of Cologne and being accepted, you receive an official admission letter of the University of Cologne. Please use the admission letter for the visa application at the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
Please note:
Please apply for a student visa and not for a tourist visa! Tourist visas cannot be converted into a residence permit for academic programs in Germany.
The visa application process lasts up to four weeks on average. The process may differ from country to country. In order to receive your visa on time before your studies begin we recommend that you make an appointment at the German Embassy or Consulate prior to receiving your admission letter and hand in the required documents. You have to turn in the admission letter at a later date. This way, you probably are able to speed up the processing time of your visa.
All international students from non-EU countries who stay in Germany for more than 90 days must apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners Registration Office.
EU/EEA citizens: International students from EU/EEA countries do not have to apply for a residence permit during their studies in Germany.
Non-EU/EEA citizens: International students from Non-EU/EEA countries have to apply for a residence permit within 90 days after their entry into Germany - whether or not they entered Germany with a visa.
For those who live in Cologne: usually, the Foreigners Registration Offices are located in the same building as the (District) Registration Offices (see "Registration in the City Hall"). Those students who live in Hürth please go to the Foreigners Registration Office Rhein-Erft in the city of Bergheim.
Necessary documents for the residence permit application are the following:
completed application form (from the Foreigners Registration Office)
proof of residence registration and/or copy of rental contract
passport (with visa, if required) and copies of all printed pages
1 biometric passport photo
current proof of enrollment
proof of financial self-sufficiency (blocked account, declaration of commitment / "Verpflichtungserklärung", scholarship grant, bank statements, if necessary
proof of health insurance coverage (from a German statutory health insurer or an exemption certificate/"Befreiungsbescheinigung" from a German statutory health insurer, private health insurance)
In some cases other documents may be necessary - in this case you will be informed at your appointment.
The residence permit is usually issued electronically by chip card. Applicants have to pay a processing fee.
Information on financial proof for visa or residence permit (blocked account etc.)
If you apply for a visa (or for a residence permit at a later point), you have to submit a financial proof to the German Authorities. This financial proof ensures that you are able to cover all living costs during your stay in Germany. The amount of money you have to prove is based on rates that also apply to German students. At the moment it amounts to 934 Euro per month, that means 11.208 Euro per year.
The financial proof can be proved by the following documents:
declaration of commitment - "Verpflichtungserklärung" (What is a "declaration of commitment"? - further information of the City of Cologne, in German language)
scholarship grant
bank statements, if necessary
Not every Foreigner´s Registration Office accepts every proof of financing!
We therefore strongly recommend opening a blocked account, as this proof of financing is certainly accepted by all Foreigner´s Registration Offices. You must provide a proof of the sum of 11,208 euros each time you renew your residence permit. It is therefore advisable to keep the entire sum in the blocked account throughout your studies and to finance the expenses incurred during your studies - if possible - through different means (e.g. through part-time job, support from parents, etc.).
Registration in the City Hall
All students must register their place of residence at the (District) Registration Office within two weeks of moving in - this is mandatory for all citizens living in Germany. Those who live outside of Cologne need to report to the Registration Office responsible for their area.
Students living in Cologne may go to the Registration Office in the ”Innenstadt”, no matter what place of residence. Otherwise, we recommend that you visit the Registration Office of the district you live in. Students living in Hürth – Efferen register at the Registration Office in Hürth.
You need the following documents for residence registration:
passport/personal I.D.
registration form - available at the (District) Registration Office or online (Cologne) or online (Hürth)
"Wohnungsgeberbestätigung" - confirmation of your landlord, form available at the (District) Registration Office or online (Cologne) or online (Hürth)
for students living in a students dormitory of the Kölner Studierendenwerk: rental contract
Note: Please keep you registration certificate (“Anmeldebescheinigung”) safe for your documents. You may need it for opening a bank account, for applying for your residence permit or for the University library!
Health Insurance
A proof of health insurance coverage from a German statutory health insurer or an exemption certificate ("Befreiungsbescheinigung") from a German statutory health insurer (in the event that you are insured in your home country or have a private (German) health insurance policy) is a requirement for being enrolled at the University of Cologne.
Students can open an account free-of-charge at any bank in Cologne. Because each bank is different, students are advised to shop around for the best terms.
A bank account is not only useful to have. It is necessary if you want to
pay rent (in Germany it is usual to pay rent by transferring the money)
process direct debit authorisations
pay semester fees
pay insurance premiums
make and receive international money transfers
To open a bank account, you need the following documents:
