Visa and residence permit

2.2 VISA

International students need a National Visa for study purposes. This type of visa:

• is issued when a longer stay (more than three months) is intended or if gainful employment is to be taken up;
• can only be issued for a validity period from three months to one year or for a longer period in exceptional cases. The validity period depends on the intended purpose and length of stay.
• primarily authorises a stay in Germany. The holders of a national visa, however, can move freely in the sovereign territory of all Schengen States, for a maximum of three months within a period of six months since the date of initial entry into the country. A national visa therefore also includes a Schengen visa at the same time;
• can generally be requested only from the German diplomatic mission in the official district of which the foreign national maintains his/her usual place of residence.

2.2.1 Visa for Non-EU Nationals

Pre-Arrival: All non-EU nationals require student visa to study at TH Lübeck. Please apply for your visa in time (at least 8 weeks before your departure) at the German Embassy/Consulate located closest to your last place of residence.

Usually required documents include:

• Valid passport
• Proof of health insurance
  • Sufficient health insurance coverage must include the following services:
  • medical and dental treatment,
  • supply of pharmaceuticals, wound dressings, therapeutic and aid products,
  • hospital treatment,
  • medical services for rehabilitation,
  • services during pregnancy and birth.

Anyone who has health insurance from a statutory health insurer has sufficient health insurance coverage in any case (Sec. 2 (3) sent. 3 Residence Ordinance).

• Proof of sufficient fundsCosts of education and living
  • Proof of sufficient funds can be provided (cf. Sec. 16.0.8.1/16.0.8.2 of the General Administrative Terms on the Residence Ordinance) by:
  • demonstration of the income and asset situation of the parents or
  • a formal declaration to the Aliens’ Authority or diplomatic mission stating that the living expenses will be assumed for the foreign student or
  • payment of a security deposit to a frozen account in Germany or
  • deposit of a bank guarantee from a financial institution in the federal territory, which must be renewed each year, or
  • scholarships financed from German public funds or scholarships from a sponsorship organisation accredited in Germany or scholarships from public funds of the country of origin if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Deutsche Akademische Austauschdienst DAAD or another German organisation funding the scholarship has made the referral to the German university.

Please beware that not all options for providing proof of sufficient funds will be accepted in all cases. Often, the authorities insist on opening a frozen account and on the payment of the corresponding security deposit.

• Records of previous study and language skills
• If applicable: letter of acceptance from your higher education institution
• If applying for a prospective student visa: a recognised higher education entrance qualification
• Possibly a health certificate Further information

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