Visa and Residence Permit

Understanding visa and residence permit requirements is a crucial step for international students joining ESCP. The process varies based on your nationality and the campus where you will be studying. Whether you need a student visa, a residence permit, or special documentation for mobility within the EU, this section provides a first glance on official websites and available support for students moving to France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom. Each ESCP campus has a dedicated office to assist you with these procedures. Once you have confirmed your offer at ESCP, you will gain access to detailed guidelines and personalised support from our staff, ensuring a smooth transition to your new campus

  • BERLIN

    VERY IMPORTANT: FOR ALL NON-EU STUDENTS HOLDING A GERMAN VISA OR A GERMAN RESIDENCE PERMIT UNDER §16B. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT YOUR LONG TERM VISA OR RESIDENCE PERMIT LOSES VALIDITY ONCE YOU HAVE LEFT GERMANY FOR MORE THAN SIX MONTHS. PLEASE CHECK AND RE-CHECK YOUR CERTIFICATE OF ENROLLMENT.

    If you're not a citizen from a Schengen country and you don't own a visa or residence permit for any Schengen country yet, you need to apply for the German student visa at the German embassy in your home country where you are currently residing.

    The following documents are usually required by the German Embassy:

    Valid passport (at least 6 months validity)

    Two biometric photos

    Application form to download in PDF and sign or online application form by VIDEX

    Letter of Admission issued by ESCP Berlin

    CV

    Personal Statement (why you want to study at ESCP Berlin)

    Proof of living funds: either notarised parent’s sponsorship or opening a blocked account in Germany (e.g. Coracle, ExPatrio, Fitiba Bank, StudyRemit) or full scholarship confirmation of at least 992 EUR per month

    Health insurance: travel insurance is sufficient for a stay up to 3 months. For a longer stay, the public health insurance is mandatory.

    Please be aware that:

    Every German Embassy reserves the right to request additional documents.

    Only the applicant is authorised to pick up the issued visa.

    IMPORTANT NOTE: For our students coming from the Turin Campus, please be informed that not your Italian visa, but your Italian residence card Permesso di Soggiorno will be considered by the Berlin Immigration office when you apply for your German residence permit.

    For citizens of China, Vietnam, or India the so-called APS certificate issued by the Academic Evaluation Center is also mandatory in addition to the visa.

    You don't need that document only if you have an international degree.

    For more informations about how to get it, please follow these links:

    🇨🇳 China : https://www.aps.org.cn/ or https://www.aps.org.cn/zh/

    🇻🇳 Vietnam : https://vietnam.diplo.de/vn-de/willkommen/-/2546866 or https://vietnam.diplo.de/vn-de/willkommen/aktuelles/aps/1236800

    🇮🇳 India : https://aps-india.de/ or https://aps-india.de/faqs/

    Important note for Indian citizens: Renaming of “Zertifikat” to “Bescheinigung”: Effective July 15, 2024, the evaluation results provided by APS India will be renamed from “Zertifikat” to “Bescheinigung.” This modification aims to ensure consistency, as evaluation results without conducted interviews are designated as “Bescheinigung” at our other APS facilities in China and Vietnam. Please note that this change is purely terminological and will not adversely affect the application process with German universities. The universities in Germany have been duly informed of this change

  • LONDON

    Before traveling to the UK, check whether you need a visa on the UK Home Office website.

    Standard Visitor Visa (for stays up to 6 months): Allows multiple entries but cannot be extended or switched to another visa. You cannot work, do an internship, or apply for the Graduate Immigration Route. Apply online before traveling: Standard Visitor Visa application.

    Student Visa (for stays over 6 months): Required for students planning to stay longer, do an internship, or work (up to 20 hours per week during term time). You need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Letter from ESCP to apply. Check details on the UK Visas & Immigration website.

    Choose the right visa before applying, as switching while in the UK is not allowed.

    If you need any support, don't hesitate to contact us at visasupportlondon@escp.eu

  • MADRID

    If you are an international student planning to study in Spain, it is important to check the visa requirements based on your nationality and the length of your stay. Non-EU students typically need a student visa, which must be obtained before arriving in Spain. We recommend consulting the Spanish consulate or embassy in your home country for the latest visa guidelines. Additionally, make sure to arrange health insurance, accommodation, and necessary financial documentation to ensure a smooth transition to student life in Madrid.

    Our advice is that you look over this list of required documents and assess how much time it will take to collect these items before making your appointment to assure you will have a realistic amount of time to complete everything.

  • PARIS

    If you are an international student planning to study in France, it is essential to prepare for your arrival in advance. Depending on your nationality and the duration of your stay, you may need a student visa. We recommend checking the official guidelines on Campus France to determine the visa type required for your studies. You can also perform a simulation thanks to the visa assistant on the website France visas.

    Additionally, ensure you arrange health insurance, accommodation, and a French bank account before your arrival to facilitate a smooth transition into student life in France.

  • TURIN

    If you need a visa to study in Italy, check the official guidelines from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to verify the requirements and necessary documentation. Your visa must be a Type D (study visa), allowing you to stay for the duration of your studies. Since visa procedures can take time, we strongly recommend preparing your documents in advance and booking an appointment as early as possible. For official information, visit the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.