Foreigners' Authority

The Foreigners' Authority in the city of Magdeburg helps to complete the formalities for foreigners wishing to stay in Magdeburg or Germany. The Foreigners’ Authority undertakes a multitude of tasks, including issuing residence permits, substitute travel documents or residence permit extensions.

Visitor address

Ausländerbehörde (ABH)

Neustädter Höfe

Lübecker Str. 53-63/ Haus 1

39124 Magdeburg

 

Postal adress :

Landeshauptstadt Magdeburg

Ordnungsamt & Bürgerservice

Ausländerbehörde

39090 Magdeburg


Phone: +49 (0)391 540 4389
Fax +49 (0)391 540 4350
Email:
de (for students, doctoral candidates, job search)

(for scientists, employees, self-employed persons)

The Foreigners’ Authority in Magdeburg is located on Lübcker Str. 53-63, which can be accessed via tram lines 1 and 9. Get off at the “Bebertaler Str.” stop.

Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 12 noon
Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 12 noon | 2 to 5 pm

Dealing with the authorities without having to wait

As a general rule you must make an appointment if you wish to visit the Foreigners’ Authority office. The appointment will be sent to you after your documents have been checked. At the beginning of each semester, the Foreigners’ Authority often has special opening hours, for which you may register at the residents registration offices and at the International Office.

New: The Magdeburg Foreigners Office offers emergency assistance to foreign citizens who have short-term issues with their residence documents. People in emergency situations, for example, after losing their residence document, will have a quick means of contact to receive timely support. This will eliminate the need for direct emergency visits. Please find the detailed conditions and more information here.

Provisions under immigration law

Depending on their country of origin, different immigration rules apply to international students from different countries.

A distinction is made between:

  1. students from the EU (European Union), the EEA (European Economic Area) and Switzerland,
  2. students who require a student visa for entry or for conferral of a doctorate in accordance with §16b Abs.1 of the German Residency Act (AufenthaltG) and
  3. students who may enter the country without a visa, such as people from Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, New Zealand and the USA (may always enter without a visa). Equally, citizens of Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco and San Marino may enter the country without a visa, provided that they do not intend to take up paid employment.

Information on entry formalities can be found on the website of the German Foreign Ministry.

When they register in the residents’ registration office, students in category 1 will be given a form in which they must enter certain data about themselves. This must be completed and returned to the Foreigners’ Authority with a copy of their certificate of enrolment. Students in category 2 must apply for a study residence permit from the Foreigners’ Authority in their place of residence within the validity period of their visa. Students in category 3 must apply for a study residence permit from the Foreigners’ Authority in their place of residence within the first three months of their stay.

Study residence permit

Your study visa or student applicant visa must be converted into a study residence permit by the Foreigners’ Authority in your place of residence. This visa conversion must be undertaken after you arrive in Germany and before your entry visa expires. If you have entered the country without a visa, you must apply for a residence permit before the end of the first three months of your stay.

Originals and simple copies of the following documents must be presented:

  • Completed application form: Issue/extension of a residence permit
  • passport with a valid visa
  • a biometric photograph
  • certificate of enrolment 
  • Current membership certificate from a health insurance company (not a copy of the insurance card)
  • proof of adequate financial means for the first year (New: as well as for the past six months in case of an extension)
  • rental agreement or rental certificate (the size of the flat or room must be stated)
  • original declaration of consent (in German) on collecting documents via document pick up station
  • money for fees:
    • initial application after entry from abroad: 100 EUR
    • extension of residence permit: 93 EUR
    • change of purpose of stay (e.g. new course of study, job search after successful completion of studies): 98 EUR

      (this fee is waived for recipients of a scholarship who are sponsored by a German university or academic organisation).

Applications for the Foreigners’ Authority can be downloaded online here.

In accordance with §82 para. 1 of the German Residency Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), both the original and a translation of all foreign language documents (except for passports) must be submitted. Official documents (such as birth and marriage certificates etc.) must be translated by a sworn translator. In the case of other documents, including formal letters of commitment, it is sufficient if the documents are translated and the University of Magdeburg confirms the accuracy of the translation.

Proof of financing

In order to obtain a visa and residency permit, foreign students must be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to finance their first year’s stay. At present, the amount required is set at 934 EUR/month or 11,208 EUR/year. Such proof may be documented in one of the following ways:

  • account with notice of restriction
  • a formal letter of commitment with credit check in accordance with §68 of the Residency Act (this is submitted by a third party to a foreigner's office or a representation abroad and must last for the entire duration of the course of studies)
  • proof of a scholarship from a recognized organisation
  • bank guarantee
  • statement of income and assets of the student’s parents with proof of creditworthiness through notarization (in the case of a notarial declaration of income and assets of the student’s parents, it must be ensured that all information can be verified in the Federal Republic of Germany. Contradictory information or lack of proof of creditworthiness will mean that the statements given will be deemed implausible.)
  • university or academic research facility contract for research employees (only in the case of doctoral students)

New: Since 1st June 2023 it is required to demonstrate the funding of the past six months to receive an extension (e.g. by bank statements, formal letter of commitment, account with notice of restriction, proof of a scholarship, contract of employment with proof of salary)

A study residence permit is only valid for studying in Germany and does not entitle the holder to take up paid employment. Foreign students do, however, have the right to work for 120 days or 240 half days per year without a work permit and to work part time in connection with their course of studies or within the university. The basis of calculation for employment on half days is the regular working hours of other employees within the organization. For example, a half working day shall be considered to be employment of up to a maximum duration of four hours, if the regular working hours of the other employees is eight hours. The maximum duration is five hours if the normal regular working hours amount to ten hours. Students on German language courses may only undertake this paid employment (120 days or 240 half days) during the semester holidays.

The residence permit is issued for a particular purpose (study on a particular course, German language course, doctoral studies in the faculty) and is limited to the duration of the course of study. Provided that sufficient funding is confirmed, the Foreigners’ Authority may issue the residence permit for two years. The study resident permit and duration of studies (including conferral of doctorate) may not generally exceed a maximum of ten years.

It is possible to change the subject that you are studying within the first 3 semesters, or later in exceptional cases. You must notify the Foreigners’ Authority in good time (and in advance) of your change of course. In the case of a change of degree programme, university or location, a corresponding change of residence permit is required. The notification of the discontinuation of studies must be made within 2 weeks of becoming aware of it (§ 82 Para. 6 AufenthG).

Residence permit for EU / EEA citizens

EU and EEA citizens who meet the requirements of EU freedom of movement legislation have, by law, a right of residence in the Federal Republic of Germany. To fulfil the requirements students must have:

  • a letter of admission
  • appropriate health insurance
  • adequate means of subsistence

EU/EEA students must present themselves in person to the residents’ registration office and provide the following documents:

In some cases, you may also need to provide additional documentation such as

  • a certificate of enrolment or letter of admission
  • European health insurance card and
  • proof of adequate means of subsistence.

Proof of an adequate financial situation for EU/EEA citizens may include

  • written confirmation of a scholarship/grant award
  • a university or academic research facility contract for research employees
  • a written declaration from the student themselves or their parents, which attests that adequate financial means are available
  • a bank statement showing adequate means of subsistence

EU/EEA citizens who have resided in the Federal Republic for more than five years may apply for a certificate of permanent residency.

Current information form the Foreigners` Authority Magdeburg on collecting documents via document pick up station (WS 2023/24)

 Video Instruction: Document dispenser of the Foreign Office | Youtube (external Link)

Please note that there will soon be a new way to pick up your documents from the Magdeburg Foreigners' Registration Office in addition to picking them up in person. Please carefully read the original leaflet (in German) or the translated leaflet (in English) with information on collecting documents via the new document pick up station as well as the original declaration of consent (in German) or the translated declaration of consent (in English) under data protection. Please send the completed and signed declaration of consent in the original (German version) to the Foreigners' Authority when applying for the renewal of your residence title.

 

Last Modification: 16.01.2024 - Contact Person: Webmaster