Residence Permit for Students

Apply for or extend a residence permit

As a general rule, you must wait at least two days after registering your address at the city administration office before you are allowed to apply for a residence permit at the relevant Foreigners’ Registration Office. At least six weeks before your visa or residence permit expires, you should make an appointment to apply for a / extend your residence permit at the relevant Foreigners' Registration Office.

Hint: Only in the city where you are registered you can apply for / extend a residence permit!

Documents that you usually need to bring with you when applying for a residence permit:

  • Completed application form for granting or extension of a residence permit (for the Foreigners' Registration Office in Cottbus you can obtain this from the International Relations Office, Main Campus, Main Building, 4th floor, on the shelf in front of room 4.15 or you can download it (only possible with BTU Account))
  • "Meldebescheinigung" from the city office
  • 1 copy and original: passport (when applying for the first time, a copy of the visa)
  • 1 biometric passport photo (35 x 45 mm); Hint: from 1 May 2025 only digital biometric passport photos either via certified photo studios or, if available, at photo terminals in the authorities*
  • Proof of health insurance (e.g. insurance policy, current health insurance confirmation)
  • Certificate of enrolment (in case of Double or Joint Degree you should also present the course curriculum)
  • Proof of financing your stay (e.g. blocked account, letter of award, bank statement, pay slips)
    Hint: proofs must always be up-to-date from the current month
  • 1 copy and original: rental contract
  • Additionally for bachelor’s study programmes from the 9th study semester onwards and master’s study programmes from the 7th study semester onwards: “Studienprognose” (study prognosis)

Hint: Please ensure that you bring the necessary original documents and copies with you, this will speed up the process! Payment of the fee at the Foreigners' Registration Office Cottbus is only possible by card (e.g. bank card, credit card).

*Certified photo studios in Cottbus: Fotoatelier Schubert, Fotoatelier Mahrla, Foto Goethe, das Fotostudio Cottbus, Ringfoto-Britze

Foreigners‘ Registration Office Cottbus (Ausländerbehörde Cottbus)

Address:
Karl-Marx-Straße 67 (2nd floor)
03044 Cottbus
Homepage

Book an appointment online to apply for or extend a residence permit
  • Therefore click here and then on "Ausländerbehörde"
  • Choose "Allgemeine Ausländerangelegenheiten ((u.a. Studierende …))"
  • Choose number 1 in the field "Beantragung von Dokumenten", and click on "Weiter"
  • Click on "Ausländerbehörde auswählen", and choose a day and time
  • Click on "Ja", add your personal details, answer the security question (Sicherheitsfrage), accept the data policy und click on "Reservieren"
  • You will then automatically receive an e-mail with a confirmation link (Bestätigungs-Link) that you must click on within an hour to book the appointment

Hint: If no appointment is available, please try again later or write an e-mail to with your personal data (family name, first name and date of birth) and the reason for your request (e.g. issuance of a residence permit).

Book an appointment online to collect your electronic residence permit

Your residence permit is issued as an electronic residence permit (eAT) in the form of a card. After applying for your residence permit, it takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks for it to be issued. Either ask for an appointment to collect your residence permit when you apply or book an appointment yourself. You will receive a letter with a PIN as proof that your electronic residence permit has been printed. You must show this letter when you collect your residence permit.

Hint: Please do not forget your passport! You must show it to collect your residence permit.

Book an appointment online to collect your residence permit:

  • Therefore click here and then on "Ausländerbehörde" 
  • Choose "Allgemeine Ausländerangelegenheiten ((u.a. Studierende …))"
  • Choose number 1 in the field "Abholung von Dokumenten Allgemein", and click on "Weiter"
  • Click on "Ausländerbehörde auswählen", and choose a day and time
  • Click on "Ja", add your personal details, answer the security question (Sicherheitsfrage), accept the data policy und click on "Reservieren"
  • You will then automatically receive an e-mail with a confirmation link (Bestätigungs-Link) that you must click on within an hour to book the appointment
Forms and leaflets from the Foreigners’ Registration Office Cottbus

Here, we provide the forms of the Foreigners' Registration Office Cottbus. The download of the documents is only possible with a BTU Account:

Hint: These documents you can also obtain from the International Relations Office, Main Campus, Main Building, 4th floor, on the shelf in front of room 4.15.

Foreigners’ Registration Office Senftenberg (Ausländerbehörde Senftenberg)

Address:
Dubinaweg 1
01968 Senftenberg
Homepage

Office hours:
Tuesday 9-12 and 13-17 h
Thursday 9-12 and 13-18 h

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I bear in mind when applying for a residence permit for students (section 16b of the German Residence Act)?
  • In the event that your passport has expired, your residence permit cannot be granted/extended! Please keep in mind that your residence permit can only be granted/extended for as long as your passport is valid.
  • During your entire stay, your living expenses must be secured (€ 992/month), you must have health insurance and be enrolled as student.
  • Changes must be reported to the Foreigners' Registration Office (e.g. change of course of study, exmatriculation, termination of studies).
  • The residence permit becomes invalid after 6 months after leaving Germany.
How much are the fees for a residence permit?
  • Granting of student residence permit 100,00 €
  • Extension of student residence permit up to 3 months 96.00 €
  • Extension of student residence permit for more than 3 months 93.00 €
  • Probationary permit (Fiktionsbescheinigung) 13.00 €
  • Extension of student residence permit, and at the same time changing the purpose of your stay 98.00 €
  • Students with a public German grant (for example: DAAD) are exempted from the fees
Am I allowed to work with a residence permit for students (section 16b of the German Residence Act)?

Check what is written on the supplementary sheet (Zusatzblatt) to your residence permit.The residence permit entitles the holder to pursue employment not exceeding a total of 140 days or 280 half-days per year, as well as to pursue a job as student assistant. Further information you can find in the flyer “Job regulations for international students in Germany” from the Deutsches Studierendenwerk.

What is a “Studienprognose” (study prognosis)?

If you are studying for longer than the standard period of study, the Foreigners' Registration Office may request a so-called study prognosis. You can obtain this on request from the International Relations Office: https://www.b-tu.de/en/international/international-students/help-advice-on-all-aspects-of-studying/study-prognosis.

What is a “Fiktionsbescheinigung”?

A type of temporary residence permit which states, for example, that the residence permit is still valid.

Which residence permit can I apply for after successfully completing my studies?

The purpose of the residence permit for students (section 16b of the German Residence Act) is to study. This includes all phases of study up to graduation.

This means that the purpose of your residence ends with the final examination. You are therefore obliged to inform the Foreigners’ Registration Office about this. Make an appointment with the Foreigners’ Registration Office in due time. The Foreigners’ Registration Office will be happy to advise you on which residence permit you can apply for.

Possible residence permits:

  • Residence permit for job seeking (section 20 of the German Residence Act): it can be issued for up to 18 months. Gainful employment is permitted.
  • Residence permit for gainful employment, if you already have a job offer: Section 18b of the German Residence Act (skilled workers holding an academic degree), Section 18g of the German Residence Act (EU Blue Card)