Travel information
Apply for a passport
If you haven’t already applied for a passport, you should do so immediately. Make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the end date of your program. You can apply for a passport at the International Center — call 573-882-6007 to make an appointment.
Visa information
U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter Germany, only a valid travel document, such as a passport. However, after entering Germany you will have to apply for a residence permit at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) if you are staying for more than 90 days.
Residence permit, category D (Aufenthaltsgenehmigung)
To obtain your residence permit, most cities will require you to present:
- Your passport
- Two passport-sized photos
- Copy of your registration with the city
- Proof of registration/matriculation at your German university
- Documents proving financial security while studying in Germany (e.g., official financial aid disbursement letter or confirmation of support from parents via bank statement stating 992 euro per month or 11,904 euro per year required)
- Cash for the administrative fee (50–130 euro for most locations)
You should look up the required paperwork and administrative fee amount for your local office before heading over there. Learn more about the residence permit.
Arrival information
It is a good idea to try to be in your host city at the arrival times suggested by your host university. You will need to arrive on a weekday during specific hours if you would like to check in to your accommodations right away. If you arrive on a weekend or at night, you may have to arrange to stay in a youth hostel (Jugendherberge) until the office is open. You should research the locations and contact information for several hostels or hotels before you leave the United States. You will likely arrive in your host city by train. You may want to store your luggage for the first few hours while you get your bearings around town. If so, you can rent a storage locker (Schliessfach) inside the train station.
Register with the city
Within one week of officially moving into your new accommodations, you will need to register with the local authorities. To register, you will need to obtain a registration form (free of charge) and present your passport. Before you leave Germany at the end of your program, you will also have to notify them of your departure. Pay attention to the hours the office is open. You may need to notify the office a few days before you actually leave.
Review the information provided by your host university:
Matriculation
Before you register for classes, you will need to complete a multi-step process called matriculation. After matriculating, you will be a temporary member of the university and will be able to receive a student ID (Studentenausweis). Your student ID functions as your Semesterticket, which is your transportation pass and enables you to use buses, trams and trains. Check with your host university for a list of valid modes of transportation and a map of the region in which your pass is valid. Note, if you turn it in before you leave, they will often refund you for the months you aren’t there.
If you are staying for more than one semester, you will have to re-matriculate (Rückmeldung) before you begin your second semester. Pay attention to the information from your host university about re-registering with the university. If you don’t register within the designated time, you will lose your student status.
Registering with the local authorities, obtaining a residence permit and matriculation can be a frustrating and time consuming process. Inevitably, you will get lost, the office you need to go to will be closed, you will forget the one document you need at home, the Germans won’t understand you, you won’t understand them, the list goes on. Don’t let these things discourage you, you can do it.