Applying for your Visa

 

International students and researchers who are non-EEA nationals who come to Germany are strongly advised to take into account that Visa application procedures take a lot of time! It may take between 8 to 12 weeks from the day of submission of your visa application to the day that you actually receive the visa, provided that you have submitted all the necessary application documents to the German embassy in your country. Therefore, it usually takes at least three months from the moment you receive your acceptance or invitation letter until you can actually study or work at RWTH Aachen University.

 

Study Period

If you have been accepted as a student at a German university, you have to submit either

• the Acceptance Letter (i.e. the original document), or
• a document which proves that a study place is reserved for you, or
• a letter of the university or the institution offering your foundational course ("Studienkolleg") which states that your application has been processed, and that you have to come to Aachen in person for a decision to be made concerning your application, or
• a letter which states that you have applied for a place at RWTH Aachen University

 

Continuing Education / Doctoral Studies / Research Stay

If you wish to continue your education through taking up doctoral studies you also have to supply evidence for the purpose of your stay. If you are a prospective PhD student, please submit an official statement by an academic staff member who is willing to be responsible for ensuring the success of your visit (e.g. your PhD supervisor). Further, you should provide evidence that you have been admitted to doctoral studies at RWTH. Please also give information on whether intend to take employment at your host institute or engage in any work elsewhere as part of your PhD project.

 

Paid Employment

If you do not come to Aachen for educational purposes mainly, but wish to take employment, you should provide evidence of your intention such as a contract of employment. Please note that since there is a wide range of regulations which allow an international scientist or researcher to come to Germany, you should provide a detailed account of your qualifications, your job experience, and of your job positions held so far. You should be able to produce evidence that you have been working as an academic in an institution of higher education outside of Germany. Further, please include a statement on the purpose of your stay, i.e. provide details on whether you wish to be a lecturer at RWTH, take on a regular job as a research assistant, or a if you are a visiting researcher employed for a limited period of time.

• Duration of your Research Period

It is always helpful to include statements on how long you wish to stay in Aachen for your research period, as it facilitates the decision on which group you fall into and which sort of entry clearance certificate should be the most suitable. 
Please inform the authorities whether you wish to bring your family (spouse and/or children under 18) to Germany. If you decide to bring your family, further applications for the members of your family are necessary.

 

Information on your Fincancial Resources

Students and academics coming to Germany must prove that they have the necessary funds to cover the costs of their study or research period, including living expenses. This evidence has to be produced as part of your visa application to the German Embassy in your home country as well as at the Foreigners' Registration Office in Germany.

• Students

Students must prove that they have sufficient financial resources to pay for their study period (incl. accommodation and living costs).If your study abroad period is being funded by third parties, e.g. by your parents, you must provide a letter by your parents, your guardian or sponsor stating that your fees and maintenance costs are guaranteed ("Verpflichtungserklärung"/Statement of Liability) . Further, a bank statement or letter from your or your sponsor's bank is to be provided, stating that sufficient funds are available to cover the costs of your studies and living expenses. This evidence is to be presented atthe German Embassy in your home country (please note that all documents must be certified by a notary or the Embassy). If you can prove that you hold a scholarship, this is usually also sufficient to be eligible for an entry visa; alternatively, you can also open a "blocked" bank account ("Sperrkonto") with sufficient funding for your stay, i.e. a sufficiently funded account which allows you to withdraw a limited sum per month.
Your monthly income must be at least 659,- € per month, a sum which has to be guaranteed through the above mentioned documents when applying for your visa and your residence permit. If you wish to take up work whilst studying in Aachen, your income is considered a supplement but does not count toward the minimum income you must guarantee.

• Researchers and PhD Students

Applicants from this group have to provide evidence (with their visa application) that they have sufficient funding such as a savings account, continuing regular income, or a scholarship. Alternatively, they may include a letter of a third-party sponsor which guarantees that they have sufficient money to cover their fees and expenses. If you are to be employed by your host institution, you must provide a letter of invitation which states the employment duration as well as your prospective monthly net income. At the Foreigners' Registration Office, you will have to present at least a preliminary work agreement ("Vorvertrag") and, at a later time, your signed employment contract.