ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
In connection with your stay in Paderborn, you will need to take care of a few organizational matters. Below, we provide an overview of the formalities you should complete before and shortly after your arrival and before your departure.
To Do's before and shortly after Arrival
- The Federal Foreign Office offers a tool for determining visa requirements:Visa Navigator
- EU/EEA citizens do not require a visa to enter Germany. Please bring your health insurance certificate or European Health Insurance Card to prove that you are adequately insured for the duration of your stay. Please also note other important information under "Health insurance".
- Non-EU/EEA citizens should enquire at the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany whether they require a visa.
- Students from third countries with a residence permit for study purposes in another EU country have two options:
a) You can apply for a study visa for Germany before you arrive.
b) Alternatively, you can apply for a residence permit from the International Office at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). To apply via the BAMF, please contact the International Office at least 6-8 weeks before your arrival. Please consult the BAMF website for important information on documents to be submitted.
Important: Your residence permit as a student in another EU country must be valid for your BAMF application and throughout your mobility! It is the basis for the BAMF permit!
Please note:
- You need a visa for study purposes for your studies in Paderborn and not a tourist visa! It is not possible to convert a tourist visa into a residence permit for study purposes at a later date.
- To apply for a visa to enter Germany, you will need the letter of admission from Paderborn University which will be sent to you automatically (Ms Schrade - International Office) as soon as your application in Paderborn has been successful.
- You should apply for your visa as early as possible at the German embassy/consulate in your home country. Processing can take up to 8 weeks. It is therefore advisable to make an appointment at the German embassy/consulate before you receive your letter of admission and to submit the initial documents. You can submit the letter of admission later.
- The visa is only valid for entry, not for residence. Once you have arrived in Germany, please contact the local immigration office to have your visa converted into a residence permit. You have 90 days after the visa has been issued to do this.
Paderborn University does not charge tuition fees.
However, students are obliged to pay a certain amount per semester, the so-called semester fee. This includes, among other things
- the cost of a semester ticket, which entitles students to free use of public transport in North Rhine-Westphalia
- a fee for the General Students' Committee of Paderborn University (AStA)
- the social contribution for the Studierendenwerk Paderborn(STW)
After you have paid the semester fee and provided proof of your health insurance, we will order your semester ticket and student ID card. You can download the semester ticket here later, and you will receive your student ID card in the UPB app.
Links:
- https://asta.uni-paderborn.de/hochschulpolitik/semesterbeitrag/
- https://asta.uni-paderborn.de/service/semesterticket/
Students at German universities are required to provide proof of sufficient health insurance cover upon enrolment and to maintain this cover during their studies.
All students must therefore contact a statutory German health insurance provider. They will decide whether you are sufficiently insured or whether you need to take out insurance in Germany.
You must register with the Residents' Registration Office within two weeks of moving in.
You will need the following documents for your registration :
- Passport/ID card
- Registration form - available here (see downloads)
- "Wohnungsgeberbestätigung" - This certificate from your landlord confirms that you have actually moved into the specified flat. Residents of a hall of residence will receive the document from the administration of the Studierendenwerk Paderborn after you have signed your tenancy agreement.
- Tenancy agreement
Please note: You will need the "Anmeldebescheinigung" to apply for a residence permit and, for example, to open an account at a bank - so keep the document in a safe place!
After successful registration, the Broadcasting licence fee service should contact you, otherwise you will have to take the initiative yourself. You can find further information on thishere. This fee is not voluntary!
We recommend that our exchange students open a local bank account for payment transactions in Germany in order to be able to make payments for rent, semester and health insurance contributions etc. without any problems.
Ask your buddy to help you arrange a bank appointment and open an account.
You will need the following documents to open an account:
- Passport/ID card
- Confirmation of registration from the city
- current certificate of enrolment
If required by your university, you should check the duration of your study visit with Mrs Leifeld from the International Office.
Important: Only study-related data can be certified.
Please go to the caretaker's office at least two weeks before you move out to ask for an appointment for the final flat/room inspection.
Your latest possible move-out date is always the last working day (Mon - Fri) of the month between 8:00 am - 2:00 pm. After this time, you may NOT stay in your room any longer.
Please keep in mind that inspections cannot be carried out at weekends or on public holidays, and that your presence is required.
Please deregister in person at the City of Paderborn before your departure. Arrange an appointment at the Residents' Registration Office and bring the following documents with you:
- Identity card or passport
- Your address abroad
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