Residence Permit

As a non-EU/non-EEA national, you may be eligible to apply for a residence permit ONCE you are physically present in Germany.

A residence permit should be applied for at the local immigration office responsible for your registered address in Germany. Since your study campus is located in Berlin, we recommend that you try and find an accommodation in Berlin, complete the city registration (Anmeldung) in Berlin, and if possible, also try and search for internships or work in Berlin while holding a valid student status.

In cases where you plan or have to apply for a residence permit in another city, please follow the procedures and documentation requirements of the responsible local immigration office.

  • Which residence permit should you apply for?

    There are different types of residence permits one can apply for. However, it majorly depends upon the main purpose of your stay in Germany.

    Students enrolled in a full-time study programme, must apply for a Residence Permit for Study Purposes (§16b of the residence act). This permit is usually issued for the current semester or for the entire planned duration of stay in Germany. It differs from a case to case basis.

    Students who have completed their studies, and have received a 'Study completion' letter from the Post Study Affairs team in Berlin and their final transcripts, can apply for a Residence Permit for the purpose of seeking a job (§20 of the residence act). This permit is usually issued for a period of 18 months starting from the official date of study completion.

  • Who needs to apply for a German residence permit?

    • Students whose German visa/residence permit does not cover the entire duration of stay in Germany
    • Students who entered on the basis of a valid Schengen student residence permit and plan to stay longer than 90 days and/or engage in employment
    • Students who entered on the basis of a visa-free-90-days allowance and plan to stay longer than 90 days and/or engage in employment

  • When can you apply for the residence permit?

    In Berlin, you can apply for the residence permit four months in advance.

  • How can you apply for the residence permit?

    As an enrolled student at ESCP Berlin campus, you will have two options to apply for the residence permit.

    Option 1: Submit an online application yourself on the Berlin Immigration Office website

    OR

    Option 2: Sign up for the 'Hochschulservice' provided by the visa support office of the Student Experience team in Berlin

    If you are interested in option 2, then we have prepared a detailed Hochschulservice guide to assist you with your application.

    If the residence permit requirement applies to you, then please refer to the guide for additional information.