Service for students

Welcome to our special page for students of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg! Here you will find all the information you need to easily and quickly use the services of the City Office and the Immigration Office. We offer special office hours so that you can take care of your needs easily and without long waiting times during scheduled appointments.

City Office

Immigration Office

For which matters should you contact the City Office?

for the registration of an apartment (including roommates in a shared apartment) in Cottbus/Chóśebuz

For which matters should you contact the Immigration Office?

for applying for an electronic residence permit

IMPORTANT for students not yet registered in Cottbus/Chóśebuz:

- Registration at the City Office is required first.
- Only afterward or later can the Immigration Office process the application.

Contact form City Office for students of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg to make an appointment

For students of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg to contact the City Office service department, please use the following form. Your request can only be processed if you fill out the fields marked with an asterisk (*). We will respond to your inquiry via email or suggest an appointment for a visit to the City Office.

Please note that you must present the originals of your passport or ID card and of the confirmation of housing provider (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) at the scheduled appointment. Showing your ID card is optional.

*Name

*First name

*Date of birth

*Email

*Registration numberof BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg

*Upload: passport or ID-cardPlease send us a copy or photo of the page of your passport showing your first and last name. The original must be presented at your appointment.

*Upload: confirmation of housing provider (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)Please send us a copy or photo of your confirmation of housing provider, not the rental agreement. The original must be presented at the appointment.

How can we help you?

You would like to register your residence in Cottbus.

something else

How can we help you else?

* Consent to data processing

I consent to the processing of my data in accordance with the following declaration:

I consent to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of contacting the City of Cottbus/Chóśebuz. I may revoke this consent with future effect. Processing remains lawful until the revocation.

I have read the information required for the use of contact forms.

1. Datenschutzbestimmungen für die Internetseite der Stadt Cottbus/Chóśebuz/Data protection regulations for the website of the city of Cottbus/Chóśebuz

2. Informationspflichten zur Nutzung von Kontaktformularen/Information obligations regarding the use of contact forms

Alle mit * gekennzeichneten Felder sind Pflichtfelder/All fields marked with * are mandatory.

Contact form Immigration Office for students of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg to make an appointment

For students at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg to contact the immigration office, please use the following form. Your request can only be processed if you fill out the fields marked with an asterisk (*). We will respond to your inquiry via email or arrange an appointment for you to visit the immigration office.

Please note that you must present the originals of your passport, visa, certificate of enrollment for the winter semester 2025, proof of financial resources, proof of health insurance, and the QR code for your biometric photo at the scheduled appointment.

*Name

*First name

*Date of birth

*Email

Upload: PassportPlease send us a copy or photo of the page of your passport showing your first name, last name, and date of birth. The original must be presented at your appointment.

Upload: VIsaPlease send us a copy or photo of the page of your visa showing your first name, last name, and date of birth. The original must be presented at your appointment.

*Upload: Certificate of study for the winter semester 2025/26Please send us a copy or photo of your certificate of enrollment for the upcoming winter semester. The original must be presented at the appointment.

Upload: Proof of FundingPlease send us a copy of proof of financing, e.g., a recent bank statement (no more than one week old). The original must be presented at the appointment.

Upload: Proof of health insurancePlease send us a copy or photo of your health insurance proof (e.g., chip card, certificate). The original must be presented at your appointment.

Upload: QR code for biometric photoPlease send us a photo of the QR code of your biometric photo. The original must be presented at your appointment.

How can we help you?

Applying for an electronic residence permit

Other

How can we help you else?

*Consent to data processing

I consent to the processing of my data in accordance with the following declaration:

Alle mit * gekennzeichneten Felder sind Pflichtfelder/All fields marked with * are mandatory.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) to the city office

Do I have to register as a student in Cottbus/Chóśebuz?

If you move into an apartment in Cottbus/Chóśebuz, or into a student room in a hall of residence or live as a roommate in a shared apartment, you must register in accordance with the Federal Registration Act (BMG).

How quickly do I have to register or re-register after moving to Cottbus/Chóśebuz or moving within Cottbus/Chóśebuz?

according to the Federal Registration Act within 14 days

Where do I have to register or change my address in Cottbus/Chóśebuz?

when moving to Cottbus/Chóśebuz or moving within Cottbus/Chóśebuz:
Stadtverwaltung Cottbus
Technisches Rathaus
Bürgerservice / Stadtbüro
Karl-Marx-Straße 67

How can I make an appointment in Cottbus/Chóśebuz?

via the “Contact form for the city office for students of the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg to make an appointment” offered here

What documents do I need to register my move to Cottbus/Chóśebuz or to change my registration within Cottbus/Chóśebuz?

- Original valid passport / identity card – to verify identity
- ID card if necessary
- Confirmation of occupancy from the landlord/provider: Confirmation of occupancy to be submitted to the registration authority/Wohnungsgeberbestätigung zur Vorlage bei der Meldebehörde
- desirable = an accompanying person with language skills, for better communication when registering a foreign student

Can I also register with a secondary residence?

Only if the apartment remains the main residence within Germany and the secondary residence is occupied for less than half a year within a whole year according to quantitative calculations.
IMPORTANT: Cottbus charges second home tax for a secondary residence: Second home tax assessment/Zweitwohnungssteuer Festsetzung

What do I need to consider if I move from Cottbus/Chóśebuz to another municipality within Germany?

Registration must be made with the new municipality's responsible registration authority
Cottbus/Chóśebuz is informed electronically and registers the departure from Cottbus/Chóśebuz

What do I need to consider if I move from Cottbus/Chóśebuz to my home country or another country?

Cancellation can be made by email at the earliest 7 days before departure
Complete and sign the “Residence Deregistration” form and send it with a copy of your passport or identity card to stadtbuero@cottbus.de
If you wish to receive confirmation of your cancellation, this must be stated in the email.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) to the immigration office

Wich documents do I need to submit to apply for a residence permit?

Passport
completed application
current certificate of enrollment
proof of financing (e.g., employment contract with pay slips, bank statement)
proof of health insurance
a current biometric QR code photo, debit card for fee payment

What deadlines should I need to observe for applying for/extending a residence permit or visa?

The application should be submitted about two months before the current document expires.

How can I prove my livelihood/financial self-sufficiency, including adequate health insurance coverage?

Sufficient funds are required to secure my livelihood, including adequate health insurance coverage.
Funds are considered sufficient if they match the BAföG maximum support rate. For a study stay, you should have 992 euros per month (11,904 euros per year). Proof can be a recent bank statement (not older than 1 week), recent salary slips, or a declaration of commitment.

Am I allowed to work with a visa?

Yes, the visa sticker or the accompanying supplementary sheet always states that employment is permitted under § 16b (3) AufenthG of the Residence Act.

What are the regulations regarding work permits? (There is already a declaration sheet regarding Section 16b (3) – Employment Opportunities.)

Students from third countries may work 140 full or 280 half days per year without approval from the Federal Employment Agency. Alternatively, they can work 20 hours per week during the lecture period.
They can work without restrictions during semester breaks. Employment beyond this period requires approval from the Immigration Office and the Employment Agency. Practicums related to studies may, in some cases, exceed the allowed work time.

How long is the residence permit valid?

Typically at least 1 year, usually 2 years. For new students starting studies and getting the first permit, the validity is usually 3 years for students in Cottbus.

What if I need to change university or study program? What do I need to apply for?

The side conditions will be changed on the additional sheet. The fee for this is 50 euros.

What options do I have for staying in Germany after graduation?

After successfully finishing your studies, you can switch to a residence permit for employment based on your qualification. Alternatively, I can initially obtain a residence permit for job search purposes for 18 months.

Can I travel abroad with my residence permit?

Yes, for up to 6 months.

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