Visa-free entry
EU nationals and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland do not normally need a visa to enter Germany, and may enter the country with their national identity card. However, if they intend to stay in Germany longer than three months, they must register at the “Einwohnermeldeamt” (Residents' Registration Office).
Nationals of Australia, Canada, Isreal, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, or the USA do not need a visa to enter Germany. However, if they intend to stay in Germany longer than three months, they will need a residence permit, which they can file for after entering Germany.
For more information on visa requirements, please visit the website of the German Foreign Office.
Click here for the Visa-Navigaor.
Entry with Visa
Please check with your local German embassy or consulate in your home country whether or not you need a visa to enter Germany. In case that you need a visa, make sure that you familiarize yourself with the processing times. For more information visit the website of the German missions abroad.
Depending on the duration and purpose of your planned stay, you will either need a Schengen-Visa (research stay lasting up to 90 days) or a national visa (research stay lasting more than 90 days).
After entering Germany, your visa is usually valid for 3 to 6 months. Within this time you have to apply for a residence permit in order to be allowed to stay in Germany for a longer period of time.
Contact the foreigners authority responsible for you (BSU on the campus of the University of Bremen) and find out about the necessary documents for the application. Then make an appointment for the issuance of the residence permit corresponding to your visa.
All important steps and information about the visa and entry process for immigrants from third countries is summarized here.
The Visa-Navigator helps to find the right visa.