Information for International Students

Welcome to the FH Aachen - Welcome to Germany!

On this page, there is information for international students about visas, city registration, health insurance, residence permits, working during your studies and much more about studying and living in Aachen or Jülich.

We wish you all the best and lots of success at the FH Aachen!

City Registration

Before you can convert your entry visa into a residence permit, you must first register with the city where you are living. This office is usually called either the Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgerbüro.

You must register in your city within 14 days of moving into a new home, including if you move within your city or elsewhere in Germany.

Most students of the FH Aachen can register at one of these city offices:

Aachen - Book your appointment online

www.aachen.de/terminvereinbarung

  • The registration offices, called BürgerService, in the center of Aachen are „Bahnhofplatz“ and „Katschhof“. You can also choose one of the other district offices.
  • If you are coming from outside Germany, click „Meldeangelegenheiten (residence affairs)“, "Zuzug aus dem Ausland" (+1)" (moving from abroad), „Weiter zur Terminauswahl“ (continue to select date).
  • If you have moved from elsewhere in Germany, select “Wohnsitz an-/ ab-/ ummelden (+1)“ (residence registration/de-registration/re-registration)

Take the "Meldeschein An- und Ummeldung" (registration form) and the "Wohnungsgeberbestätigung" (confirmation from the landlord/landlady) with you.

Downloads: https://serviceportal.aachen.de/suche/-/vr-bis-detail/dienstleistung/4599/show

Jülich – Book your appointment online

https://www.juelich.de/buergerbuero

  • Click auf „Meldewesen“ (registration forms), „Anmeldung +1“ (registration), „Weiter“ (continue)

Important: There are long waiting times! Book your online appointment as soon as you know when you will sign your rental contract. You should book the appointment online within 14 days, even if the appointment date is much later.

Also Important: Without a prior registration at the city registration office, you cannot apply for a student residence permit at the Foreigners' Office (Ausländerbehörde).

Health Insurance

Students from EU countries: Check with your health insurance company whether both your trip and your stay from the very first day in Germany are insured. If you are not insured, please refer to the next section.
Students from non-EU countries: You need travel health insurance for the trip and for your first few weeks in Germany. After your arrival, you must have German health insurance for enrollment. Many German embassies require proof of health insurance if you want to apply for the visa.

In Germany all students are obliged to have health insurance. In most European Union countries your health insurance in your home country will cover you during your stay in Germany  with your European health insurance card (EHIC). Check with your insurance BEFORE(!) you travel to Germany.

If your health insurance is not valid in Germany, you should get travel health insurance that is also valid for the few weeks in Germany, as this will give you enough time to get insurance. You have the option of public or private health insurance, however, the insurance will only be valid starting on the day you enroll at the FH Aachen.

More information about health insurance is on the websites of the German Academic Exchange Service and Deutsches Studentenwerk.

With public health insurance you will pay approximately the same charges everywhere. The services offered by the different insurance providers are almost the same.

With private health insurance you can choose between different tariffs. Even the variety of services offered will be different, however, if you select private health insurance, it must be approved by a public health insurance company before you can enroll. Most private health insurance companies require payment when services are rendered, then you must apply for a refund.

Disclaimer:

The information provided here is a service of the Department of International Affairs and is only general guidance. No liability is assumed for the accuracy of the content matter.

Additional Insurance

Luggage Insurance

If you are bringing precious and expensive items along with you, such as a notebook, you should consider getting special luggage insurance.

Liability Insurance (Privathaftpflichtversicherung)

When you damage someone else's property, you are held liable for the damage you caused. In many cases the damages may be so high that you may have difficulty paying them. Therefore, liability insurance is strongly recommended. Almost all insurance companies offer a Privathaftpflichtversicherung, which may cost around 60 EUR per year.

Houshold Insurance

Houshold insurance covers objects in your apartment that are stolen or damaged, for example, damage caused by water, fire or burglary. Almost all insurance companies offer this.  The cost depends on the size of your apartment and what you insure.

Apply for a residence permit directly after arrival

Your entry visa is usually valid for 90 days. About 8-12 weeks before your visa expires you should apply for a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis).

You must do this even if you were allowed to enter Germany without a visa.

Important: Applying for an appointment after your entry visa expires can cause serious legal problems, so be sure to apply on time.

Disclaimer:

The information provided here is a service of the Department of International Affairs and is only general guidance. No liability is assumed for the accuracy of the content matter.

Residence permit for students from the EU

Students with EU citizenship and from the EEA (European Economic Area) who intend to stay in Germany for more than 90 days must apply for the Freizügigkeitsbescheinigung EU when they register at the city registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) or (BürgerService).  They do not need an additional appointment at the Foreigners' Office.

Required documents:

  • Passport or identity card
  • Confirmation of student status from the FH Aachen (Studienbescheinigung)
  • Proof of health insurance, such as the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or German health insurance
  • Proof of sufficient funding to cover living costs

 

Residence permit for students from non-EU countries

First you need to be registered in the city where you live (see "City Registration" above).

Then book an appointment to apply for your residence permit 8-12 weeks before your entry visa for Germany expires.

You must book the appointment at the Foreigners' Office responsible for the city where you live (see below).

Required documents (applies to Aachen and Düren):

  • application form for a residence permit
  • biometric photo
  • passport
  • confirmation of student status from the FH Aachen (Studienbescheinigung)
  • proof of health insurance
  • proof of sufficient funding to cover living costs
  • fee of about 100 Euro for your first residence permit

The student residence permit is usually only for one or two years, so you will have to apply for an extension several times during your studies.

Several weeks after you apply for the residence permit you will receive a letter that you can pick up your electronic residence permit (eAT) card.

Important | Be sure make an appointment for your residence permit before your entry visa expires, otherwise your stay in Germany is illegal.

If you could not make an appointment before your visa expires, write an email to the Foreigners' Office so that you have written proof that you tried to get an appointment on time.

Students who live in Aachen or in the StädteRegion Aachen

Ausländeramt der StädteRegion Aachen
Foreigners' Office of the StädteRegion Aachen

Hackländerstr. 1
52064 Aachen

Aachen: Book an appointment online
https://termine.staedteregion-aachen.de/auslaenderamt/

After moving from outside Germany: Select "Aufenthaltsangelegenheiten" (residence matters), "Fachhochschule Aachen", "FH-Studenten +1", "Weiter" (continue), "OK„

If you have moved from elsewhere in Germany and are registered in Aachen: Select "Aufenthaltsangelegenheiten" (residence matters), "Aufenthalt" (residence), "Erteilung/Verlängerung Aufenthalt - Nachname (je nach Buchstabe des 1. Nachnamens) +1" (issue/extend residence - surname (first letter of surname), "Weiter" (continue), "OK"

Students who live in Jülich or elsewhere in Kreis Düren

Ausländerbehörde des Kreis Düren, Geschäftsstelle Jülich
Foreigners' Office of Kreis Düren, Jülich Office

Düsseldorferstr. 6
52428 Jülich

Email: abhkreis-dueren.de

Appointment: https://formular.kreis-dueren.de/frontend-server/form/provide/114/

Under "Angaben zum Terminwunsch" (reason for appointment) select "Ausländerbehörde" (Foreigners' Office).

Confirmation of Student Status and Study Progress Certificates

Studienbescheinigung und Studienverlaufsbescheinigung

A Studienbescheinigung (Confirmation of Student Status) is a confirmation of enrollment and is available in German, English and French.

You can download these certificates yourself in the FH-Aachen-Portal. For more information, see https://www.fh-aachen.de/studium/studieren/studienorganisation/formalia/bescheinigungen-und-nachweise.

If you  need a special certificate with additional information, contact the Department of International Affairs.

Study Progress Certificates for the Foreigners' Office

Studienverlaufsbescheinigungen

A Study Progress Certificate (Studienverlaufsbescheinigung) is proof of your study progress and current exam status with an estimate of when you will be able to successfully complete your studies. 

You must submit this letter to the Foreigners' Office whenever they require you to do so. This is usually when

  • you have studied longer than the standard study period
  • you want to change your field of study or university and you are in the fourth are higher semester

Contact the Department of International Affairs of the FH Aachen by email as soon as you know whtat you need a Study Progress Certificate (Studienverlaufsbescheinigung).  It generally takes 2-3 weeks to prepare this document.

Attach to your email:

  1. Part A of the Fragebogen (Questionnaire). If you have problems downloading, see below "Tips for opening and saving documents".
  2. Your Erklärung/Authorization that you permit the information to be given to the Foreigners' Office (Page 2 of the Fragebogen)
  3. Your QIS-Notenspiegel (QIS-Transcript) with all exam attempts. You can download this as a pdf at QIS.
  4. If necessary, you can book an appointment for a private meeting with the Department of International Affairs.

Information from the documents above will be used to write your Study Progress Certificate, which can be sent directly to the Foreigners' Office.

Contacts in the Department of Internatioinal Affairs:

Students who live in Aachen or StädteRegion Aachen:

Students who live in Jülich or elsewhere in Kreis Düren:

Students who live elsewhere should contact the person in the Department of International Affairs in the city where you study.

Tips for opening and saving documents

Download the documents into your computer (click right, then save as...), then open them with Adobe.

Some forms have fillable fields. Save the pdf file through "print to pdf" before returning it so that the fillable fields disappear.

To set Adobe as your default program

  • Click right
  • open with
  • select another app
  • select "Adobe"
  • set the checkmark at "always use this app to open pdfs"

On the MAC first open Finder. Select a pdf document and use „CMD“ + „i“, to open the information window. Go t "open with..." > "preview" and click "change all."

Extending your Residence Permit

Book an appointment to apply for the extension of your residence permit 8-12 weeks before your current residence permit expires.

Important: If you make an appointment for your residence permit after your residence permit expires, you could have legal problems.

Required Documents:

  • application form for extension of a residence permit
  • biometric photo
  • passport
  • confirmation of student status from the FH Aachen (Studienbescheinigung)
  • proof of health insurance
  • proof of sufficient funding to cover living costs
  • fee of about 93 euros for the extension
  • If you have studied for longer than the standard study period or are changing your field of study after the third semester, you will probably need a Study Progress Certificates (Studienverlaufsbescheinigungen). See detailed information above.

Temporary Certificate (Fiktionsbescheinigung)

In some cases students may get a temporary certificate (Fiktionsbescheinigung) to cover the time between when the residence permit expires and the appointment at the Foreigners' Office. However, this is not always possible or even necessary.

Contact the Foreigners' Office or Information Desk at the Foreigners' Office for questions about this.

No online appointment available?

If you could not book an appointment with the Foreigners' Office before your residence permit expires, be sure to send an email so that there is written proof that you tried to book an appointment on time.

In order to meet the deadline, in some cases you can also send the signed application form for an extension by post or hand it into the Foreigners' Office front desk. However, we do not recommend that you hand in your passport and residence permit without an appointment. Instead, send a photocopy. Check if this procedure is permitted at the Foreigners’ Office responsible for you.

Responsible Foreigners' Office

You must book the appointment at the Foreigners' Office responsible for the city where you live.

Important: If you have moved from another city, the Foreigners' Office of the old city is responsible for extending your residence permit until you have registered at the new city registration office.

Disclaimer:

The information provided here is a service of the Department of International Affairs and is only general guidance. No liability is assumed for the accuracy of the content matter.

Students who live in Aachen or in the StädteRegion Aachen

Ausländeramt der StädteRegion Aachen
Foreigners' Office of the StädteRegion Aachen

Hackländerstr. 1
52064 Aachen

Aachen: Book an appointment online
https://termine.staedteregion-aachen.de/auslaenderamt/

After moving from outside Germany: Select "Aufenthaltsangelegenheiten" (residence matters), "Fachhochschule Aachen", "FH-Studenten +1", "Weiter" (continue), "OK„

If you have moved from elsewhere in Germany and are registered in Aachen: Select "Aufenthaltsangelegenheiten" (residence matters), "Aufenthalt" (residence), "Erteilung/Verlängerung Aufenthalt - Nachname (je nach Buchstabe des 1. Nachnamens) +1" (issue/extend residence - surname (first letter of surname), "Weiter" (continue), "OK"

Students who live in Aachen, have transferred from the RWTH and do not yet have a residence permit for the FH Aachen

Ausländeramt der StädteRegion Aachen
Geschäftsstelle RWTH (Super C)

Templergraben 57
52062 Aachen

Online Appointment Geschäftsstelle RWTH
https://termine.staedteregion-aachen.de/auslaenderamt/

If your previous residence permit was for the RWTH, select "Aufenthaltsangelegenheiten", "RWTH – Außenstelle Super C", "RWTH-Studenten +1", "Weiter", "OK".

Students who live in Jülich or elsewhere in Kreis Düren

Ausländerbehörde des Kreis Düren, Geschäftsstelle Jülich
Foreigners' Office of Kreis Düren, Jülich Office

Düsseldorferstr. 6
52428 Jülich

Email: abhkreis-dueren.de

Appointment: https://formular.kreis-dueren.de/frontend-server/form/provide/114/

Under "Angaben zum Terminwunsch" (reason for appointment) select "Ausländerbehörde" (Foreigners' Office).

New FH Aachen students who are registered in another city

In this case, you must apply for the extension of your residence permit at the Foreigners' Office in the other city.

Changing your field of study or university

If you are thinking about changing your field of study (major) or to another university, you can contact the Support for Students of the FH Aachen

International students from non-EU countries must also change their residence permit. The student residence permit is only valid for a specific study program at a certain university - and usually only as long as you are actually enrolled in this study program.

Disclaimer:

The information provided here is a service of the Department of International Affairs and is only general guidance. No liability is assumed for the accuracy of the content matter.

Information for German students: see Studiengang oder Schwerpunkt wechseln

Change after your first or second university semester

Within the first 18 months of your studies, you are usually allowed to change your course of study or university once without the approval of the Foreigners' Office.

You must inform the Foreigners' Office immediately about the change so that your residence permit is changed to show the new information.

Change after your third semester

If you want to change your field of study or university after the end of your third university semester, you always need the prior (!) approval of the Foreigners' Office. An appointment is required for this.

Do not hope for a retroactive approval - this can go wrong and be rejected....

Please contact the Department of International Affairs at the FH Aachen before you make a final decision.

As a general rule, if you are enrolled in a new field of study, you must have your residence permit changed immediately at the Foreigners' Office to show the new information.

How to increase the chance of the change being approved?

  • If many credits can be transferred to the new field of study or university
  • If you are placed in a higher semester
  • If the change does not cause a major delay in the length of your studies
  • If there is a good reason for the change
  • If you can still complete your degree within a total study period of 10 years

In most cases you will need a Study Progress Certificate (Studienverlaufsbescheinigung) (see above).

Failed an exam for the final time?

  • Important: note the deadlines for appeals, contact your examination office in your department
  • You may need advice from the Student Advisory Service, the AStA (Allgemeine Student*innenausschuss / General Students' Committee) (possibly also legal advice).
  • The Department of International Affairs can advise you about your residence permit.

Travel outside Germany for international students

Always check your residence permit before you travel outside Germany

Before leaving Germany, always check how long your residence permit for Germany is still valid.
You may need to have your German residence permit extended at the Foreigners' Office well in advance.

If you have problems getting an early appointment at the Foreigners' Office, for help contact the Department of International Affairs of the FH Aachen about three months before you travel.

Important: If your German residence permit expires during your stay abroad, you cannot have it extended at a German embassy abroad.

If this happens, you must apply for a whole new visa, which can take several months and cause significant delays in your studies.

Travel within the European Schengen Area

 

With your residence permit for Germany, you may stay in the European Schengen countries for up to 90 days. Your German residence permit must remain valid for the entire time you are travelling.

This only applies for travelling as a tourist, not working or studying at another university.

List of Schengen member countries:

https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/service/fragenkatalog-node/17-schengenstaaten/606502

Leaving Germany for more than 6 months

Your residence permit for Germany ends automatically if you leave Germany for more than six months, even if it states that is valid for a longer period of time.

 

If you are planning to stay outside of Germany for more than 6 months due to an exchange semester, an internship semester or your thesis, you should definitely apply for a re-entry permit at the Foreigners' Office before you leave. You will need to plan all of this well in advance. A re-entry permit is only possible in connection with a valid residence permit.

You do not have a re-entry permit or your residence permit for Germany has expired?

In this case you have to apply for a completely new student visa at the German Embassy in order to re-enter Germany and continue your studies.

Working while Studying at the FH Aachen

Residence permit law and employment law are closely linked for international students in Germany.

Here is an overview of the most important regulations.

Be sure to know what applies to you!

Disclaimer:

The information provided here is a service of the Department of International Affairs and is only general guidance. No liability is assumed for the accuracy of the content matter.

Students from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

As a student from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, your status is the same as a German student and, therefore, you have free access to the German labor market and do not need a formal work permit. During the lecture period, you may work a maximum of 20 hours per week in order to maintain your student status. During the lecture-free period, the maximum working hours per week may exceed 20 hours.

Students from non-European Union countries

International students (with a residence permit according to §16) are generally allowed the following without a work permit:

  • You may work 140 days per calender year while studying (< 4 hours = counted half day, > 4 hours = counted as day). Your employer and you must keep a list (a working time account) of the days you work. In another calculation method 2,5 workings days per week may now be counted as a flat rate (if you do not work more than 20 hours per week during the lecture period) independent of the actual distribution of your working hours. The calculation method that is more favorable for you will be applied.
  • In addition, you may work as part of a practical semester, practical project (= required internship, with or without payment), research semester or research project and your final thesis (= working as part of your studies) as required by your examination regulations (Prüfungsordnungen). The examination regulations for all FH Aachen degree programs can be found at Pruefungsordnungen.
  • Additional subject-related employment as a student or research assistant ("Hiwi" or "Wihi") at the university or a research institution such as the FZ Jülich or the Fraunhofer Institute is generally permitted.

Important: For a "Hiwi" or "Wihi" job: The Foreigners' Office must still check if it is actually a job related to your studies. Contact the Foreigners' Office and have your employment contract checked.

Do not work without a residence permit

You are only allowed to work in a student part-time job - even if it is without a work permit - if you have a residence permit and the accompanying document (Zusatzblatt) allow this.

You usually cannot work with your 90-day entry visa. If your visa is long-term (6-12) months, be sure to see if this is permitted on the accompanying document (Zusatzblatt).

Work Permit

You have to apply for a work permit at the Foreigners' Office before you start working for all employment beyond the above-mentioned regulations.  In this case, the Foreigners' Office works together with the Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit).

International students usually do not get a work permit before they graduate, as the main purpose of their stay in Germany is to study.

Voluntary internships

For voluntary internships (including unpaid ones) that are not required by your examination regulations, you must use your 140 days per calendar year, if you have not already used them for other work. For longer voluntary internships you need a work permit, which is only possible for a very good reason.

Job portals for students (also for Hiwi-jobs, internships and theses)

Jobportal der FH Aachen

RWTH Jobportal

Jobbörse des AStA der RWTH Aachen

Bundesagentur für Arbeit

 

Further Information (auch zu social contributions, taxes, minimum wage)

https://www.internationale-studierende.de/waehrend-des-studiums/jobben

https://www.daad.de/de/studieren-und-forschen-in-deutschland/erste-schritte-deutschland/nebenjobs/

https://www.study-in-germany.de/de/deutschland/studienalltag/nebenjob/

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/studium-ausbildung/studieren-in-deutschland/arbeit

https://www.bmas.de/DE/Arbeit/Arbeitsrecht/Mindestlohn/mindestlohn-praktikum.html

Destination Germany

The Study in Germany Blog 

https://www.study-in-germany.de/en/community/

Foreign students write about studying and living in Germany. Interested students from all over the world can get an authentic first-hand impression of Germany with these first-hand reports.

Facts about Germany

https://www.tatsachen-ueber-deutschland.de/en/Homepage-Gestaltung

Your Link to Germany

www.deutschland.de

Contacts

Faculties in Aachen

Brinker, Sabine, Dipl.-Geol.

Photo Dipl.-Geol. Sabine Brinker
Zentralverwaltung - Dezernat II - Studentische und akademische Angelegenheiten - II.4 - Akademisches Auslandsamt
Bayernallee 11
Room 01002
52066 Aachen

Faculties in Jülich

Bürger, Christopher B.A.

Photo  Christopher Bürger B.A.
Zentralverwaltung - Dezernat II - Studentische und akademische Angelegenheiten - Dezernat II - Studentische und akademische Angelegenheiten / II.2 - Studierendenmanagement
Heinrich-Mußmann-Straße 1
Room 00A09
52428 Jülich

Internationale Graduates - Ending your Studies

Internationale Graduates - Ending your Studies
Life in Aachen and Jülich