Our employees only speak German in the office and on the phone.

Apply for a Residence Permit for the Purpose of Applying to a College or University

  • Schule, Ausbildung und Studium
  • Migration und Integration

If you are looking for a place to study in Germany, you can apply for a residence permit valid for up to 9 months while you search.

  • Basic information

    If you would like to study in Germany and do not yet have a place at a university, you can apply for a residence permit while you search for one.

    You may be granted a residence permit if you meet the academic and language requirements for enrollment in a degree program. It is also possible for you to fulfill these requirements while your residence permit is valid in Germany.

    You must cover your living expenses and health insurance for the duration of your stay without relying on public assistance.

    You may work up to 20 hours per week during your stay. Trial employment is permitted for up to 2 weeks.

    If you are under 18 years of age, you need the consent of your legal guardians to apply for admission to a degree program.

    Requirements

    • Their livelihood is secure, and they have adequate health insurance coverage.
    • You have adequate living space.
    • Your identity and citizenship have been verified.
    • There are no grounds for deportation or an entry ban against you.
    • You meet the passport requirement.
    • You entered the country with the required visa. Your stay is lawful.
    • You have sufficient knowledge of German (at least B1)
    • You hold a high school diploma that qualifies you for university admission in Germany or in the country where the diploma was earned, with a translation if necessary
    • Your primary residence is in the city of Bremen

  • Procedure
    • The application and the required documents can be submitted to us by email or mail. 
    • If necessary, the Immigration Office will request additional documents.
    • If your application is approved, you will receive an appointment to come in for an interview.

    More information

    • Proceedings at the Foreigners’ Registration Office are generally conducted in German.

    Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is provided for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.

    Passport photos are now accepted only in digital form. The passport photo must be taken using a registration system on-site at the Immigration Office, at a photo studio, or at a photo service provider. You cannot submit a digital passport photo from your cell phone. For more information, please visit our website. Limited exceptions to the biometric requirements are permitted for infants and toddlers.

    A residence permit can only be issued for the duration of your national passport’s validity. Please apply for a renewal well in advance of your national passport’s expiration date.

    If you do not possess a valid national passport, you must provide evidence of your efforts to obtain one (for example: written confirmation from the embassy, reasons for any delays).

    Legal Remedies:

    • Appeal
    • Lawsuit

  • Necessary Documents
    • National Passport / Proof of Identity
    • A current biometric passport photo
    • Proof of sufficient means to support oneself:
      • Proof of financial resources (e.g., blocked account, letter of financial commitment, etc.)
      • Proof of health insurance
    • High school diploma that qualifies the holder to study in Germany
      • with a translation, if necessary
    • Proof of existing German language proficiency through a certificate or school transcript
    • Proof of housing:
      • For rental apartments: Lease agreement specifying the square meterage and proof of the current rent, including all utility costs
      • For rent-free housing: written confirmation from the primary tenant regarding the rent-free housing
      • For owner-occupied housing: Land registry extract, proof of monthly mortgage payments including utilities/bank statement, proof of property taxes and insurance

  • Forms

  • Fees / Costs

    100,00 EUR When a residence permit is issued for the first time as an electronic residence permit
    93,00 EUR When renewing a residence permit as an electronic residence permit
    27,60 EUR For Turkish nationals up to age 24 for initial issuance / for renewal
    46,00 EUR For Turkish nationals aged 24 or older: for initial issuance / for renewal
    56,00 EUR when the residence permit is issued for the first time as a label
    49,00 EUR when renewing a residence permit as a label
    6,00 EUR in addition, for taking a digital passport photo at the on-site self-service terminal.

  • Deadlines & processing time

    What deadlines must be paid attention to?

    8 weeks You should apply for a residence permit no later than 8 weeks before your current visa expires.

    How long does it take to process

    Once we receive your application, we will need some time to process and review it. Once the review is complete, we will get back to you.

  • Legal Bases

  • More Information

This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.

The official information in German is complete and correct.

Updated on 20.08.2026

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