Important information about your stay in Koblenz

Visa restrictions for gueststudents in Germany

The entry requirements can be found in detail at the DAAD.

Gueststudents looking to study in Germany will generally need a visa.

Excluded from this are students coming from:

• ·        the European Union (EU)

• ·         the European Economic Area (EEA)

• ·         Switzerland

These students only require a valid ID card or comparable identification to travel to Germany. The International Office organises the registration at the citizen office for all gueststudents. This is where they will receive a residence permit for study purposes.

Visa process for gueststudents

Gueststudents from other countries generally need to apply for a visa before arrival. Please contact the German embassy in your home country and apply for a student visa or an applicant visa. Anyone with written approval for preparatory study measures or a university place from a university can apply for a student visa. Anyone who is still waiting on the notice of admission or who has to sit an entrance examination will need to apply for an applicant visa. Once you arrive in Germany, you will need to submit your visa to the foreigners' authority at the study location in order to convert this to a residence permit for study purposes. This appointment will be organised by the International Office as well.

It often takes several months for a visa to be issued. It is therefore important to apply for an applicant visa as soon as possible so that you can arrive before your course commences.. It is preferable to apply for an applicant visa with the university's confirmation of application and then convert it to a residence permit for study purposes in Germany.

Documents required for a visa application

In general, you will need the following documents:

• a valid passport/visa
• 2 new biometric photos
• rental agreement/landlord's confirmation of residence
• health insurance coverage
• proof of adequate funds for living expenses (proof of financial resources)
• the confirmation of application from the university (applicant visa) or the notice of admission from the university (student visa)

Proof of financial resources

Your proof of financial resources verifies that you can pay for your period of study. At least the living expenses for your first year in Germany must be fully financed. In general, 11.904 euros of income or assets are required for the first year, or 992 euros per month. But evidence of higher amounts may also be requested. In principle, the following types of proof are possible:

• proof of parents' income and assets
• the Foreigners' Registration Offices receives confirmation that someone whose place of residence is in Germany commits to assume the costs for you
• a security sum on a blocked account (e.g. at Deutsche Bank)
• scholarship from a recognized scholarship foundation
• funding in accordance with the German Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz (BAföG - Federal Education and Training Assistance Act).

The nearest foreigners' authority is:

Stadtverwaltung Koblenz
Ordnungsamt/Ausländerbehörde
Ludwig-Erhard-Straße 2
56073 Koblenz
Office hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 08.00 am –12.00 pm
Wednesday: 08.00 am –12.30 pm and 1.30 pm– 4.00 pm

You cannot register at a German university with a tourist visa!

Koblenz is located directly on the mouth of the Moselle River to the Rhein River. Both of these rivers help to the region its character and reflect the city’s friendly atmosphere. The Rhein Gorge was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2002. In addition, the gorge offers the people in the region a wide variety of excursions, such as visiting the castles and fortresses.  Even the ancient Roman city of Koblenz contains various historical attractions which can be discovered while walking through parts of the city.    

 

We highly recommend visiting the following five places during your stay in Koblenz:

 

Deutsches Eck  (English: The German Corner)

The point where both the Rhein and Moselle rivers meet is called the Deutsche Eck. From this point, an impressive horseman statue can be seen of the German Kaiser Wilhelm I. Using the stairs, you can then climb the monument to enjoy a beautiful view overlooking both of the rivers.

The Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
The origins of the second largest fortress still standing go back to the year 1000. You can reach the fortress by taking an exciting ride in a glass gondola over the Rhein River. Once within the walls of fortress, you can learn a great deal of fascinating history about Ehrenbreitstein while enjoying a breathtaking view above the city.

The Electoral Palace
The Electoral Palace is located directly on the Rhein River and was built at the end of the 18th century. The paths running through the palace’s beautiful garden lead you to the front doors of where Kaiser Wilhelm I used to reside.  

The medieval Eltz Castle
By means of a beautiful train through the woods, you reach Eltz Castle, one of the most famous castles in Germany. Built in the 12th century, the castle provides its visitors with a fascinating impression of the middle ages and is an ideal destination for the people and visitors in the Koblenz region.

 The Forum Confluentes
Located next to the City Library in a recently built culture center in the city of Koblenz, both the Middle-Rhine Museum and the Romanticum can be found here. This interactive exhibition gives you the opportunity to dive into the history of the city and of the Rhein and Moselle rivers while learning about exciting legends and fairy tales. The Tourist Information Center can also be found in the Forum Confluentes.

The city of Koblenz offers students a wide range of activities to attend, such as concerts, exhibitions and cultural events. In addition to these activities, you can go shopping in the city’s new and modern shopping mall, the Forum Confluentes, or visit the ancient city (German: die Altstadt) of Koblenz.Using public transportation in Koblenz, you can quickly and easily reach other cities in the region, such as Cologne, Bonn and Frankfurt.

By train

If you would like to discover other parts of Germany outside of Koblenz, there are many ways in which you can reach your destination.

For those traveling within Germany, the German railway service, the Deutsche Bahn, has a wide range of attractive traveling offers. Especially for those traveling in small groups of 5, you can discover Germany without having to spend a whole lot of money. For example, for 49 Euros per month you can obtain the Deutschlandticket, which allows to travel all over Germany via regional trains. It also allows you to use public transport in any german city!

By bus

If you decide at the last minute to travel somewhere within Germany, long distance buses are a good alternative to taking the train. Here are a few good recommendations:

• www.flixbus.de (website in German)