Visa for third-country nationals

What is a third-country national?

Students who study full-time at a European university without European citizenship and spend a semester abroad in Germany from there, are referred to as "third-country nationals" in the sense of the law on immigration.

To ensure that your stay in Germany is legally confirmed, a number of documents need to be submitted to the "German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees" (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge) prior to your arrival in Germany.

After checking the documents, the "German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees" will issue a so called "confirmation of your legal status" for the time of your stay in Germany. Do not worry - we will assist you in how to obtain this confirmation!

Step 1 | What do you have to do before entering Germany?

In order for us to support you in this process in the best possible way, you must follow the following steps:

Please submit the following 7 documents in GERMAN or ENGLISH to us by e-mail as soon as you have received your Letter of Acceptance from us:

1. residence permit issued by the EU country in which you are currently studying, which is valid for the entire time of your stay in Germany at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar (copy is sufficient)
2. recognised, valid passport/passport replacement (copy is sufficient)
3. Proof of participation in an EU-funded mobility programme (e.g. ERASMUS Grant Agreement) (copy is sufficient)
4. Letter of Acceptance from Bauhaus-Universität Weimar (copy is sufficient)
5. Proof that you are able to cover your living expenses for the time you are in Germany (900 Euros per month) (e.g. a Screenshot of the amount on your or your parent´s bank account)
6. Proof of sufficient international health insurance cover which is valid in Germany (copy is sufficient)
7. Completed notification form (copy or scan is sufficient)

Please also contact the German Embassy in your home country to find out whether you personally have to observe any other things when entering the country.

Please note
We at the International Office will submit the documents for you to the "Federal Office for Migration and Refugees"; you are not allowed to do this yourself.

Step 2 | What do you have to do after your arrival in Weimar?

Just like "regular" non-EU citizens doing a semester abroad in Germany, after your arrival in Weimar you will have to:

1. register as a citizen of the city of Weimar (information on this process can be found in our "checklist for incoming students")
2. apply for a residence permit (only relevant if you do not have a valid residence permit from an EU country) (information on this process can be found in our "checklist for incoming students")