doITawesome!

Important documents

​

The first and by far most important thing that you need to do after getting your admission letter and deciding to study in Kiel but before arriving, is to ensure your adequate legal status.

 

It is very important to tell you that Germany has different regulations with each country, which is why we are not able to provide the exact information for each one of you, but we will speak from our experience.

 

It is essential that you inform yourself with the nearest German Embassy or Consulate as soon as you get your admission letter, in order to comply with the requirements in time. Find here the list of all the German Embassies and Consulates.

​

You can learn more about visa requirements here.

 

The main documents required are the following:

​

• Notice of admission from the German University.

• Valid passport.

• Proof of adequate funds for living expenses. As of September 2016, the amount requested on the bank accounts is €8,820 (eight thousand eight hundred twenty euros) per study year (this amount is increased constantly, so please double check it). Depending on the requirements for each country, it might be on a German bank account or it could be on a national account from the country in which you are requiring the Visa.

• Health insurance. This requirement also varies between countries. In some cases, you can get a local insurance from home that can cover for your medical expenses in Germany throughout all your study period. In other cases, you need a temporary insurance for the time of the Visa validity and you should contract a German insurance afterwards. The European Union students just need to bring their EHIC-Card. 

 

Some additional documents that will be requested in Kiel (if they were not in the Embassy or Consulate) and it is good for you to bring are:

​

• Education transcripts, translated into English if they are in a different language.

• At least 4 biometrical pictures.

         More information on biometrical pictures here. 

​

​

STUDENT VISA

​

Incoming students from the European Union (in our case, Italy), do not need a Visa to enter the country.

 

Some of us (taking Mexico, as an example) had to obtain before arriving a temporary Student Visa (also called Schengen Visa for students) that is issued by the German embassy in your country of origin and previous to arrival, with a validity period of 3 months.

 

Others (as the case of Brazil) could enter the country as tourists and afterwards tramit the Residence Permit.

​

 

REGISTRATION IN THE CITY HALL AND RESIDENCE PERMIT

 

In the end, independently on the status with which we entered the country, all of us have to register in the City Hall (Rathaus in German) and to apply for the residence permit.

 

We don’t want to overwhelm you with information right now. And since both, the registration in the City Hall and the residence permit, have to be obtained once you are in Kiel, the detailed information on the process can be found in the section “First days - legal issues”. 

​

 

INTERNATIONAL CENTER - AUTHORITY FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT CAU

​

In case you require any additional information on legal issues, the responsible authority of the CAU for International Students is the International Center. They can help you at any time. Here is the contact information:

​

Jan Bensien

Advisor to International Students, Internships Abroad

Phone: +49 431 880-3716 
Fax: +49 431 880-1666 
jbensien@uv.uni-kiel.de 

​

 

This might seem like a lot of information, but the key aspects are:

​

1. Inform yourself in the closest German Embassy or Consulate, about the legal requirements for you as a student (if the Visa is required or not).

2. In case that you need a visa, inform yourself about the documents that you must gather.

3. Make the appointment.

4. Get your visa.

​

Don’t forget to check the rest of the information on the “Prior to arrival” section.

​

​