1. EU citizens and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway

Doctoral candidates from member states of the European Union and the countries listed above do not need a visa for their stay in Germany, but they must register their residence with the relevant district authority in Berlin. (registration).

2. Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland and the United States of America

Doctoral candidates from these countries may enter without a visa, but have to apply for a residence permit within three months after their entry. To do so, you must first register with the relevant Bürgeramt and then apply for a residence permit for study purposes.

This has to take place within three months after entering Germany. The Foreigners Registration Office [German] is located at Friedrich-Krause-Ufer 24 in 13353 Berlin. Please make an appointment!

Please consult the checklist for applying for a residence permit for study purposes on the relevant authority’s website. Based on our experience, you will need the following:

• a valid passport (valid for at least six months, preferably a year),
• the completed and signed application,
• two recent identical passport pictures,
• the letter of admission and enrollment certificates from Freie Universität Berlin,
• proof of financial means (e.g. a scholarship award letter or other documentation of financial support),
• proof of health insurance in Germany.

3. Foreign citizens from all other countries

Foreign nationals from all other countries require visa to enter and stay in Germany. You must apply for a visa at the mission responsible for your place of residence before entering the country. Please note that a tourist visa cannot be converted into a student visa within Germany; individuals entering on a tourist visa must return to their home country to apply for the appropriate entry visa.

The visa must be approved by the Berlin Foreigners Registration Office [German], which also issues the required residence permit for study purposes. Any change in the purpose of residence (e.g. changing your field of study or university) requires a new application.

General information about the visa process can be found on the website of the Berlin Immigration Office. We also recommend consulting the section specifically for students [German] in Germany.

Information on the mandatory registration for all doctoral candidates in Berlin can be found under "Prior to enrollment”.