Information and counseling services for international students

Moodle group for international students Financing Accommodation Transition from study to work Residence law questions / Foreigners Office Advisory and support inside and outside the university

Moodle course and Instagram channel for international students

The Advisory Service has set up a dedicated Moodle group for the university's international students, where we share e.g. up-to-date information on residency issues, student financing, events and happenings.

Be sure to sign up, so you do not miss any news or updates:

Link: https://moodle.hs-hannover.de/course/view.php?id=14707

Enrollment Key: Internationales!

There is also an Instagram channel where important information as well as events are shared.

The Instagram name is: internationalestudierende.hsh

Residence law questions / Foreigners Office

Every international student usually must take care of a residence permit for studying at Hochschule Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts before and during their studies. This often causes a lot of stress for many students. Therefore, we have collected the most important questions and answers for you here.

Please keep in mind that the FAQs listed below do not claim to be complete and are only intended as a first introduction. For complete and legally binding information, please contact the website of the foreigners office.

Currently, the Advisory Service, in cooperation with the Foreigners Office of the City of Hanover, is assigning appointments to students at Hochschule Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Please be sure to sign up for this service in our Moodle group (see above).

Foreigners Office of the City of Hannover

Team 7 - Customer service for professionals and students

Phone: +49 0511 168 32337

Am Schützenplatz 1

30169 Hanover

E-mail: abh-fus(at)hannover-stadt.de

Website

Foreigners Office of the Hannover Region

Immigration Team

Phone: +49 511 616-23700

Phone: +49 511 616-22905

Maschstrasse 17

30169 Hanover

E-mail: Zuwanderung@region-hannover.de

Website

Before your residence permit/transitional certificate expires, contact the Foreigners Office by phone (Monday-Thursday from 08:00 - 16:00 and Friday from 08:00 - 14:00) or by e-mail.

Please keep in mind that due to the high number of inquiries, it may take several weeks to process your request.

So be sure to contact them in time (preferably a few weeks before expiration) to avoid stress when extending your stay.

This usually results from the ancillary provisions of your residence title (e.g., from the supplementary sheet). If these contain a permission for employment, you are allowed to work.

The current processing time takes 6-8 weeks. As soon as the electronic residence title has been received by the Foreigners Office, it will be sent promptly to your specified registration address. If you have received a letter from the Federal Printing Office, there is no need for you to take any action.

If your residence title has expired, it is not possible to travel abroad.

It is also not possible to leave the country with a temporary certificate.

In this case, the usual procedure as described under "What do I have to do if my residence permit/transitional certificate has expired?" must be followed. In urgent cases, the residence permit can be issued as a sticker.

As a rule, the Foreigners Office requires a current certificate of enrollment, from the 4th semester onwards a current proof of academic achievement (transcript of records), proof of health insurance, proof that the student's livelihood is secured (e.g., a blocked account). Additional documentation may be required in individual cases.

In the case of doctoral students, the Foreigners Office always requires a current status of the doctorate from the doctoral advisor.

The securing of the livelihood can be proven by a blocked account, a declaration of commitment, a scholarship as well as an employment contract. A combination of the individual points is also possible.

Application forms, checklist and further information can be found here.

The mandatory requirement for the issuance of a residence permit is the entry with a required visa.

The visa requirement of a foreigner must first be assessed on the basis of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (EU-VisumVO).

According to Article 3 (1) of the EU Visa Regulation, nationals of third countries listed in Annex I to the EU Visa Regulation are subject to the visa requirement.

Pursuant to Art. 4 (1) EU-VisaVO, third-country nationals listed in Annex II are exempt from the visa requirement for short-term stays of up to 90 days during a reference period of 180 days and without gainful employment.

Specialty:

Pursuant to Section 41 (1) of the Residence Ordinance, nationals of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, and the United States of America may enter and reside in the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany without a visa even for a stay that is not a short stay. A required residence permit can be obtained in the federal territory.

The same applies pursuant to Section 41 (2) of the Residence Ordinance to nationals of Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco, and San Marino who do not wish to engage in gainful employment other than the activities specified in Section 17 (2).

(Stand März 2021)

A "Fiktionsbescheinigung" is generally issued if the Foreigners Office cannot decide on the application for issuance/extension because, for example, documents are missing. This results from the wording of Section 81 (3) and (4) of the Residence Act. The residence is considered as continuing until the Foreigners Office has decided on the application.

Permission fiction ("Erlaubnisfiktion"):

§ Section 81 paragraph.3 sentence 1 of the Residence Act reads:

"(3) 1 If a foreigner who is lawfully residing in the Federal territory without possessing a residence title applies for the issuance of a residence title, his or her residence shall be deemed permitted until the decision of the aliens authority."

This is a so-called "permission fiction". It applies to foreigners who are allowed to obtain a residence title without a visa (e.g., US-Americans). A re-entry into the federal territory is not possible.

Continuance fiction ("Fortbestandsfiktion"):

§ Section 81(4) sentence 1 Residence Act reads:

"(4) 1 If a foreigner applies for the renewal of his or her residence title or for the issuance of another residence title before its expiration, the previous residence title shall be deemed to continue to exist from the time of its expiration until the decision of the Foreigners Office."

This is the so-called "fiction of continued existence". It applies to foreigners who already have an eAT in the Federal Republic and have applied for the extension of their residence title.

Please contact the nearest German mission abroad and apply for a re-entry visa.

Please send the following documents to the Foreigners Office:

A copy of the new employment contract or
A copy of the job description

In individual cases, further documents may be required.

As long as your employment relationship continues, it has no consequences for your residence if you are currently receiving short time working benefits due to the Corona pandemic. You also do not have to inform the Foreigners Office.

This also applies if you normally must comply with salary limits, such as for a Blue Card.

If you would like to extend your visa, you can contact the German mission abroad responsible for you and apply for a so called "Neuvisierung".

Please follow the instructions on the official websites of the respective missions abroad.

There you will also find an overview of the required application documents.

Information on ongoing visa procedures is not provided by the Foreigners Office. Please contact the respective German mission abroad.

To change from a student visa to a job-seeking visa, you must submit a new application to the Foreigners Office.

You must submit:

Application form
Rental contract
Proof of livelihood
Certificate of your graduation

Make sure you make an appointment with the immigration office early enough so that you can make a stress-free transition.

Additional documents and information for the application can be found here:

Zip folder, residence for job search

To change from a student visa to a work visa, you must submit a new application to the Foreigners Office.

You must submit:

Application form
Rental contract
Certificate of your graduation
Employment contract
Declaration of employment

Make sure you make an appointment with the Immigration Office early enough so that you can make a stress-free transition.

It is best to send the employment contract and the declaration of employment to the Foreigners Office by e-mail before your appointment to apply for residence for the purpose of employment. These documents can then be checked in advance by the employment agency.

Additional documents and information for the application can be found here.

The first thing to do is to inform the police by filing a report of loss (Verlustmeldung).

You must also report the loss/theft to the relevant foreigner’s authority (Ausländerbehörde). They will report the residence card to the Federal Police for tracing and apply a passport transfer (Passübertrag). This means that a new card will be ordered - you must still report the loss/theft separately to the police. You must bring your passport and a biometric passport photo to the appointment at the foreigner’s authority (Ausländerbehörde). It is best if you ask the staff before which documents you need to bring with you.

Here you can find the contact details of the Hannover Police:

Here you will find the contact details of the foreigner’s authority (Ausländerbehörde) of the city of Hanover (Customer service for professionals, students and self-employed persons and their family members).

© Photo by Christian Dubovan on Unsplash

Financing

For international students in particular, the question of financing their studies is a major challenge. In most cases, they are denied access to BAföG.

Here we present options for financing your studies.

General information

The Hannover Science Initiative provides explanatory videos on the topic of student financing that will help you get an initial overview of your options:

Video: How to finance my studies in Germany?

The so called Studentenwerk Hannover also has a lot of important and helpful information for you on its website:

Website: Studentenwerk Hannover, Financing

Jobbing

In most cases it is not possible to finance a stay without a student job. In Hannover and at the Hochschule Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts there is a large offer of student jobs.

Various websites can be useful to you in your search for a job, e.g.:

Jobbörse der Bundesagentur für Arbeit

Jobmensa: Jobbörse für Studenten

Indeed

The Initiative “Initiative Wissenschaft Hannover" also offers a helpful video on this topic:

Video: International students and jobs

The so called “Studentenwerk” Hannover has also compiled further information and contacts for you here.

Students at Risk - Hilde Domin Programme

The programme serves to support students and doctoral candidates from across the globe, who are at risk of being formally or de facto denied educational or other rights in their country of origin, and to provide these students and doctoral candidates with an opportunity to begin or complete a study or research degree at a higher education institution in Germany. Students and doctoral candidates nominated and accepted under the programme will be enrolled in degree courses of any personal subject choice and according to individual qualifications and receive a scholarship sufficient to cover the necessary costs incurred in the course of their study resp. research stay.

Details can be found here:

https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/scholarships/hilde-domin-programm/

Interested students cannot apply directly to the DAAD, but must be nominated by the university. The nomination is done by the International Team of the Advisory Service (contact: mascha.rex@hs-hannover.de). Please contact us if you are interested.

Scholarships

Another possibility to finance your studies, at least partially, are scholarships.

The “Initiative Wissenschaft Hannover” has also created an overview of scholarship opportunities.

At Hochschule Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts, so called “WIR/Deutschland” scholarships are also awarded annually to students at the university. Here you can find more information about the WIR/Deutschland STIPENDIUM.

Another option is the Landesstipendium Niedersachsen. This is a one-time scholarship in the amount of 500.00 euros. (If you apply for the WIR scholarship, this application also counts for an application for the Landesstipendium Niedersachsen).

For international students, scholarships are also awarded each year at HsH in cooperation with the DAAD for special commitment or as graduation assistance. We share information about this via our Moodle group for international students and social media, as well as via our website.

Loans

Student loans, such as the KfW student loan or an education loan, offer another option for financing. Further information can be found here:

Website Studentenwerk: KfW-Studienkredit

Website Studentenwerk: Bildungskredit

Accommodation

There are many private and public student residences in Hannover. Nevertheless, it is not always easy for students to find suitable living space. Especially before the semester starts, many students are looking for a room or an apartment.

The "Initiative Wissenschaft Hannover” has created an explanatory video for initial orientation, which you can access here.

Furthermore, the so called Studentenwerk Hannover has useful information about the student housing and offers a housing exchange.

Rental costs

Monthly room rates range from €300 to €550; for a complete apartment, you should expect a much higher rent.

Rental contracts

There are binding rental agreements, which means that by signing them you confirm that you are a tenant. Rental agreements can be mutually cancelled only if they are terminated 3 months in advance.

As a rule, you must pay a so-called security deposit. It is a security for the landlord. If the apartment or room was not left clean or facilities were damaged, then the landlord keeps all or part of the deposit. The deposit is also used for renting defaults.

Housing exchange of the Studentenwerk
https://www.studentenwerk-hannover.de/online-wohnraumboerse/uebersicht

or from Ms. Birthe Wiedenroth
Phone +49511 - 7688069
E-mail: wohnen@studentenwerk-hannover.de

In addition, Hannover also has some agencies that can assist you in your search for accommodation. Normally there is an agency fee for this.

Transition from study to work

If you need support or advice for the transition from study to work, the Career Center of the Advising Service Center will be happy to help you with a wide range of services.

Also, if you need help with your search and application for your practical phase during your studies, please contact our Career Center. Among other things, a special job application training course for international students is offered every year.

Click here to access the Career Center's services: Website Career Center HsH

Advisory and support inside and outside the university

At University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hannover, but also outside of it, there are various points of contact that can help you with a wide variety of questions and challenges in your everyday study life. But it is not always easy to find "your" contact person and to find your way through the advisory jungle. In the following, you will find the most important offices and people.

Advisory Service for international students at University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hannover

There are two advisors in the Advisory Service who serve as the first point of contact for international students with general questions and support them during their studies. We look forward to meeting you!

Advisory for international students

Non-Public Person

Advisory for 2plus3 students

Zhongzhen Yu

Mitarbeiterin, Servicezentrum Beratung (Z3)

Room: 1J.1.11
Ricklinger Stadtweg 120
30459 Hannover

+49 511 9296 8098

zhongzhen.yu(at)hs-hannover.de

Profile

"Vertrauensprofessor" for international students at University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hannover

The university has a "Vertrauensprofessor" for international students. He supports you specifically with individual challenges during your studies, with the assertion of your interests towards the university and mediates if there are differences or obstacles with study achievements (e.g., with problems concerning the right of residence or missing examination achievements).

Prof. Dr. Ghassem Khoramnia

Tel.: +49 511 9296 1236

ghassem.khoramnia(at)hs-hannover.de

Social Counseling for students in Hannover

Studentenwerk Hannover - Department of Social Affairs and International Affairs

The Social Counseling Center at the so called Studentenwerk Hannover is a contact point for (prospective) students. It offers orientation and clarification assistance in the search for a solution to personal, social, and economic problems.

The Social and International Affairs Department will help you unbureaucratically, directly and competently. Of course, all conversations are treated confidentially.

This office provides tips and information on:

Jobbing and social security
Financing possibilities (besides BAföG)
Social security between studies and job
Exemption from broadcasting fees, telephone fee reduction, housing allowance, child benefit, etc.
Studying with a child
Health insurance
Studying with a handicap
Special problems of foreign students
Advice and support in conflict situations
All other social questions concerning studies

Visiting address: Lodyweg 1 C, 30167 Hannover

Postal address: P.O. Box 58 20, 30058 Hannover

Contact person:

Karen Tepel, Tel. (05 11) 76-88 919

Ina Klyk, Tel. (05 11) 76-88 922

Dorothea Tschepke, Phone (05 11) 76-88 935

soziales(at)studentenwerk-hannover.de

Website of Social Counseling

Counseling of foreign students in KED

The "kirchliche Entwicklungsdienst der evangelisch-lutherischen Landeskirche" offers individual counseling for foreign students on student financing, work and residence permits, health insurance, and rental and legal issues. Further information can be found here.

Psychological counseling service for students (ptb)

Studying can be a challenge. Whether you are at the start of your studies or almost at the end: The psychological counselling service offers free advice concerning problems caused by studying as well as in personal conflict situations.

You can turn to our experienced counsellors to talk about problems such as:

crises and disturbances in the course of your studies such as test anxiety, learning and achievement disorders
difficulties with personal relations like family or friends
problems ranging from loneliness and isolation with depressive moods or suicidal thoughts
difficulties adjusting to new circumstances/culture/country

Further information you can find here: https://www.ptb.uni-hannover.de/en/

The AStA of University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hannover

The general student committee of the university (short AStA) offers advice, networking, and events for (international) students at Hochschule Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Here you will find low threshold offers of help on topics such as LGBTTIQQAAP+, student financing, participation, and social issues. On the Website of the AStA you will find many exciting topics and projects.