For studying in Germany, international students need a residence permit. To obtain this residence permit, they have to apply for a visa study purposes in Germany ('Aufenthaltsbewilligung zu Studienzwecken') before entering the country. 
The visa is issued by the German Embassy or Consulate in their home country.

For the visa application through the German Embassy, candidates may need a "Letter of Acceptance" (Zulassungsbescheid) from Pforzheim University. The embassy may also require an official statement on how you will cover the costs of living in Germany. For all questions regarding the visa, please contact the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country directly. 

VisaFlow helps you with every step, from your visa application to settling in. We offer free access to VisaFlow, a tool that supports you in planning your move to Germany and managing your visa or residence permit application. Use the login details “HSPFORZHEIM25” on platform.visaflow.app to beginn your process. 

Citizen of the following countries are allowed to enter Germany without a visa: 

• All countries of the European Union and all countries within EFTA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland).
• Citizens of certain other countries, such as the USA, Japan, and South Korea, do not need a visa but must apply for a residence permit at the local Foreigners' Office.

In some countries (e.g. China), additional APS examinations have to be conducted to verify the authenticity of the documents before obtaining a visa. 

Please use the helpful Visa Navigator tool by the German Foreign Ministry to find out if you need a visa or if you only need to go the Foreigner's office in Pforzheim.

As part of the visa application process, the German Embassy/Consulate must verify that candidates can cover the costs of living and studying in Germany. An official financial statement should confirm that suffiecient funds are available, particularly for the first year of study. The embassy/consulate requires proof of at least 992 Euro per month, totaling 11,904 Euro per year. 
If monthly rent, including additional charges, is below 224€, the required amount may be reduced accordingly.

The required financial statement is usually accepted through one of the following methods: 

a) formal obligation by the parents: Parents must provide legally binding declaration that they will cover the student's cost in German, ensuring a minimum of 992€ per month for the entire study period. They mus submit a detailed proof of their financial situation, such as monthly income statements and bank account balances. The embassy will verify these documents.

b) formal obligation by a third party: A person who is not directly related to the applicant can also provide a legally binding financial guarantee ("Verpflichtungserkärung). This statement is part of the visa process and must be verified by the embassy as well. After arrival in Germany, local authorities (Foreigners' Office) may request this document again. 

c) blocked bank account: In many cases, financial proof is provided by deposting a required amount into a blocked bank account. The embassy will request an account statement before issuing the visa. After arrival in Germany, the funds must be transferred to a German bank accountg. A withdrawal is often limited and restricting monthly access to 992€ per month. 

c) scholarships: If a student has been awardeed a scholarship, they must present an official confirmation letter from the scholarship provider. This letter must clearly state the total amount of funding and the duration of the scholarship program. 

Please note: In some countries, German embassies/consulates may have different visa application procedures or financial requirements. Please check with the relevant embassy for specific details. 

For a step-by-step guidance on the visa application process, as well as information on blocked accounts and funding options, students can use VisaFlow. The platform provides useful resources to simplify the transition to Germany. The access is free and can be done with the login details and code “HSPFORZHEIM25” at platform.visaflow.app.

International students are usually allowed to work up to 20h a week. During the lecture-free period the student can work more than 20h a week. Self-employed work such as tutoring can only be started after receiving permission from the local Foreigner's office.

In principle it is essential that the workload in a company does not affect the study progress. Related to the German tax regulations the company should require an income tax ID. Tax IDs will be issued by the local tax authorities.

Changing the study program (subject and/or location)

For all students with a limited residence permit ('Aufenthaltsgenehmigung') the purpose of the residence is determinated by the subject of the study program (see chapter 28.5.2.4 of the administrative regulations within the Federal Aliens Act). In case an international student changes the subject of his/her studies, this change will cause also a change of the purpose for the residency.

International students may change the study program and/or the subject and/or the location for studying within 18 months after arrival only. All changes after this period of 18 months will have to be authorized by the local authorities (normally the Foreigners Office of the city). The local authorities may accept the change of a study program or the location only in case the already completed courses will be recognised by the new study program or new university. An official statement of the new study program or new university for getting the academic recognition of courses is required. In addition the local authority will require a statement confirming that the total of the study period will not exceed 18 months. The authorization of the local authority is also requested in case an international student wants to change the university only (for example he/she will continue the same subject of the study program at the same location, but a different university).

Staying in Germany before studying

Persons interested in studying in Germany may obtain a visa for learning the German language and/or for an orientation period. The status of this visa is called "Studienbewerber" and may be issued for a maximum stay of up to one year. For receiving a visa as "Studienbewerber", applicants will have to meet similar conditions than for getting a visa for studying. "Studienbewerber" are not allowed work while staying in Germany and also the option to work 120 days per year is not included in this visa.

Staying in Germany after studying

After having received the degree of an university, foreign students may stay up to 18 month in Germany (for example as orientation period to find work in Germany). During this orientation period the student is allowed to work without limitation.