Residence Permit
RWTH students need to extend their residence permit at the Foreigner’s Office branch at the SuperC. For this you need to book an appointment using the Foreigner’s Office’ booking system here
It is recommended that you start booking an appointment about 3 Months before your residence permit expires.
Make sure to bring all required documents with you to the appointment. You can find more information on the Foreigner’s Office’ website.
✔️ Application Form (Antragsformular)
✔️ Passport (Pass)
✔️ Current Residence Permit
✔️ Biometric Photo (Biometrisches Bild) Should be taken on the day of your appointment in the SuperC
✔️ Study Certificate (Studienbescheinigung) Found on RWTH Online
✔️ Grade Transcript (Notenspiegel oder Leistungsnachweis) Found on RWTH Online
✔️ Proof of Health Insurance (Krankenversicherungsnachweis)
✔️ Proof of Financial Means (e.g., Blocked Account or Scholarship)
More information can be found on the Website of the Foreigner's Office
If your residence permit is about to expire/ has already expired, contact the information desk at the SuperC and bring all the required documents for an extension with you.
Usually the employee working there will issue a Fiktionsbeschinigung for you. The Fiktionsbeschingung is a temporary German document proving your continued right of residence. This should give you time to find an appointment
The International Office has stated: “Please be aware that if you have changed residence within Germany and were previously registered in a different German city before moving to Aachen, that the main branch of the Immigration Office next to the central train station is responsible for the first issue/extension of your residence permit in Aachen.”
Yes! If you're a non-EU student, you may work:
✔️ 140 full days OR 280 half days per year
✔️ Usually up to 20 hours per week during the semester
✔️ More during semester breaks, as long as the yearly limits are respected
Exceeding these limits can impact your visa status, so keep track of your hours carefully.
(In case of exceeding the limit, the Foreigner’s Office has to be informed.)
After applying for (the extension) of your residence permit, and receiving a letter from the Foreigner’s Office (this may take up to 6 weeks), you have to book an appointment using the Foreigner’s Office’ booking system, using the option “Abholung”.
The collection is at the Foreigner’s Office branch at Hackländerstraße 1 on the 3rd floor.
If your residence permit is being extended and you're waiting for approval, ask the Ausländerbehörde for a Fiktionsbescheinigung — a temporary document allowing you to stay legally in Germany while your application is processed.
⚠️ If you plan to leave Germany for a longer time (for an internship or exchange abroad), always check with the Ausländerbehörde beforehand.
Staying away too long (usually 6 Months) without notice may risk your permit or indicate to authorities that Germany is no longer your primary residence.
More information can be found in Section 51 (2) of the Residence Act of the Residence Act.