Getting to Friedensau

Before a prospective international student to Friedensau Adventist University applies for a visa or residence permit for studying purposes, he/she should obtain appropriate documents from the Admissions Office. Depending on a country of origin, it can often take 12 weeks before a visa or residence permit for study purposes can be issued. So, you are advised to apply for the visa in good time. If you enter Germany late, you may possibly miss a number of important dates or deadlines and so jeopardize your university registration matriculation. However, if you have not registered at your university, you cannot get a "residence permit for the purpose of studying" (Aufenthaltserlaubnis für Studienzwecke).

When applying for your visa, it is extremely important that you apply for the right visa. A "tourist visa" or "language course visa" cannot be subsequently changed into a "student visa". If you have the wrong visa, you will unfortunately have to leave the country again. Please, also take care to ensure that your passport is still valid up to at least 7 months after your intended period of study.

For many international students, it is almost impossible to get an entry visa at the airport. We strongly advice that you apply through the nearest German Embassy. While Friedensau Adventist University can provide an Admission Letter, it may not be enough. You are advised to inquire from the nearby embassy all the required documents ahead of time.

In most cases, as a prospective international student you are given a one entry three months visa which has to be extended as soon as you arrive at Friedensau. The information below can help you to understand how it is done.

After entering in Germany, immediately report to the registration authority and foreigners’authority: After arriving in Germany, you have to go straight to the registration authority (Einwohnermeldeamt) to give them your address in Germany and then to the foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) in order to apply for "residence permit for the purpose of studying". The student visa is initially valid for a maximum of two years. If your international degree programme is scheduled to last three years, you will have to have your student visa extended before the two years are over. To get the extension you have to prove that you are progressing in your studies as expected – i.e. that you have gained all the required credits and passed all the required exams. The foreigners’ authority in Burg, where FAU students have to apply for a visa or a residence permit, requires applying for an extension 6 weeks before your visa expires.

Please take the following documents with you to the foreigners’ authority:

  •      Your confirmation of residence registration issued by the registration authority

  •      Proof that you have private or statutory (public) health insurance

  •      Admission letter

  •      Possibly, proof of sufficient financial resources – if not already verified when the visa was issued

  •     Valid passport

  •   Houserent Contract

  •     Money to pay the student visa fee (€ 60 for 2 years and € 50 for 1 year)

  •     2 passport photos         

  •    Visa application forms.

 

The Admissions Office will be delighted to help you with the first application.

 

About Residence Permit for Studying Purpose

Whether or not you need a visa and a residence permit for studying purpose in Germany depends on your nationality and on the purpose of your stay. Please, contact the relevant German mission abroad (the addresses of the embassies and consulates can be found on this website http://www.embassiesabroad.com/embassies-of/Germany) to find out whether you need a visa. The staff will also tell you which papers and documents you need for the visa application.