Applying for a residence permit

If you have entered Germany with a visa, or if you are allowed to enter for 90 days without a visa, you must apply for a residence permit within the first few weeks of your arrival. You can request a residence permit after you have registered your residence in Hamburg.

Use the Aufenthaltserlaubnis Hamburg online service to make an appointment to request a residence permit. Make sure that you have all your supporting documents in order. You can already send these to the authorities using the online service. After completing the online service, you will receive a confirmation mail with further information. 

After you have arrived in Hamburg and applied for your residence permit, you will have to renew it regularly before it expires. As a rule, a residence permit for the purpose of study is issued for 2 years.

You must inform your local immigration office if there are any changes, e.g., if you change your degree program or successfully complete your studies. Depending on your further plans (job search, career start, further study, doctorate), there are various ways to stay in Germany after your degree.

• If you have submitted an residence permit request before your visa expires, your visa will remain valid until your application has been decided. (Section 81 subsection 4 AufenthG)
• As a rule, you will receive a fictitious certificate until the residence permit is issued. Further information can be found on the Hamburg Welcome Center`s website.
• If your visa is about to expire and you have yet to receive a response from the authorities, contact the Hamburg Welcome Center hotline: +49 40 428 39-5500 or us: international-student-support@uni-hamburg(international-student-support"AT"uni-hamburg.de).

Rights

• You can have a part-time job for 140 full or 280 half days in a calendar year. However, this applies only to salaried employment. Freelance activities (e.g., translation, language courses offered on an hourly basis) must be authorized by the Office for Foreigners’ Affairs.
• You may leave and reenter Germany as often as you wish. You should note, however, that you may not spend more than 6 months at a time outside Germany. If you do, your residence permit expires.
• You may complete an exchange program and benefit from the more relaxed visa conditions within the EU. If you spend more than 6 months outside of Germany for the purpose of studying, notify your local foreigners’ department.

Obligations

• Make sure to extend your residence permit before it expires.
• Notify your local foreigners’ department about any changes in your status (e.g., change of subject or degree).
• You may have a part-time job for 140 full days or 280 half days per calendar year—freelance work must be authorized by the Office for Foreigners’ Affairs.
• Be aware: your residence permit for the purpose of university study covers a maximum of 10 years (bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and, if applicable, additional preparatory courses such as language courses or a Studienkolleg).