Visa and entry
Visa and entry
Moving to a foreign country is a big step and requires a certain amount of preparation. Entry requirements may vary depending on your country of origin, your nationality, and your purpose for coming to Germany. The Visa Navigator provided by the Federal Foreign Office will help you to find out whether you need a visa and if so, which type. Should you need a visa, we recommend that you contact the German Embassy or Consulate General responsible for your country at the earliest possible opportunity. They will be able to provide you with detailed information on the documents required and the application process. Please note that you cannot be enrolled as a student at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences because we do not offer our own doctoral degree programs. For this reason, you will need a visa for your research stay, and not a student visa. To apply for a visa, you will usually need a hosting agreement and, if applicable, proof of financial resources and/or proof of a blocked account.
Would your partner and perhaps children like to accompany you during your stay? Please inquire at your local German diplomatic mission about the appropriate visas or residence permits and the necessary documents (certified marriage certificate, birth certificates, etc.).
If you wish, Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences can arrange for a Welcome Guide (a student from the university) to meet you at the station and take you to your accommodation. We will also help you set up your workplace and find your way around Osnabrück or Lingen in the first few days and weeks of your stay.
After arriving in Germany, you are required to register your residence with the Foreigners’ Office (Ausländerbehörde) and, if necessary, extend your residence permit. To do this, you will need your passport and a landlord’s certificate from your landlord, among other things. We will be happy to accompany you to this appointment.
We generally recommend that international visiting scholars open an account with a German bank or savings bank in Germany, enabling them to pay such things as the rent. You will also receive an EC card with your account, which can be used for everyday payments. To open an account for you, the bank will usually need to see your certificate of registration (Meldebescheinigung) issued by the Residents’ Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt), which you will receive during your appointment with the Foreigners’ Office, as mentioned above. Please note that most banks charge account maintenance fees. If you intend to make frequent payments to an account in your home country, it is worth asking whether your foreign bank cooperates with a German bank. This might speed up payments to or from abroad and have an impact on the charges for cross-border credit transfers.