Entry Regulations
We have presented the information on this website to the best of our knowledge, but it is not guaranteed to be correct. Visa regulations can change quickly. Please speak with us and the relevent embassy or consulate.
Below you can find some more information on the entry regulation of each country.
USA
Citizens from countries which are taking part in the Visa Waiver Program are allowed to enter the US for 90 days without a visa. You receive the form (l-94 Non-immigrant Visa Waiver Arrival Form) which you have to fill in on the plane before arriving at your destination. You should not have any problems of entering the USA if your passport is still valid for 3 month after arrival (the Austrian and Swiss passports must have an e-chip), if you have a return ticket or a ticket for an onward journey (attention: this ticket must not end in Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean) as well as enough funds for your stay. In addition, Visa Waiver travelers have to apply online via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for an entry permit which costs $14 at least 72 h prior to arrival. However, this only applies to students who are studying less than 18 hours per week. Students who have booked a more intense course have to apply for a student visa (approx.: 250 – 300 €, processing time: 6 – 8 weeks). If you should have any questions in this matter please do not hesitate to contact us. Holders of temporary passports also have to apply for a visa.
For further details you can also consult the following websites: www.usembassy.de, www.usembassy.ch and https://cbp.dhs.gov
Russia
European citizens who want to stay in Russia for 90 days maximum only need a tourist visa. The application for this visa has to be filed personally or through a travel agency. You have to have a passport which is valid for at least 3 month after arrival with at least one empty page. In addition, you need an official invitation of the language school.
For more information see the links below: www.russisches-konsulat.de, www.consulrussia.ch
Australia
Most EU-citizens are allowed to stay in Australia for 3 month with an ETA tourist card (obtainable in travel agencies, through airlines or at the Australian consulate (eVisitor)). Preconditions are a passport which is valid for a longer time than the planned stay (with Asia transit: longer than 6 month after arrival), a return ticket or a ticket for an onward journey as well as enough funds for the stay. Students who have booked a course which takes longer than 12 weeks have to apply for a student visa and take out health insurance for foreign students (Overseas Student Health Cover).
For obtaining more information please see the links below: www.australianembassy.de, www.australia.ch
South Africa
Most European citizens are allowed to stay in South Africa for 3 month without a visa. On precondition that the passport is valid for at least 4 month after arrival (one empty page left for the date stamps of arrival and departure), you should not have any problems when entering South Africa. Moreover, you have to have a return ticket or a ticket for an onward journey as well as documents which verify the purpose and the length of your stay.
China
European citizens have to have a visa. In general, it is issued for a length of 30 days and can be extended on location. Students have to apply for a tourist visa themselves at the respective Chinese consulate. For getting a visa you need to have a passport (with one empty page) which is valid until half a year after your departure from China, a return ticket, enough funds for the stay as well as a letter of invitation. The turnaround takes about two weeks.
For more information see the links below: www.china-botschaft.de, www.cina-embassy.ch
Mexico
Citizens from the EU should receive a tourist card which permits a 90-day stay in Mexico either from their travel agency or from the airline. Preconditions are a passport which is valid for more than 6 month after arrival, a return ticket or a ticket for an onward journey as well as enough funds for the stay.
Ecuador
European citizens are allowed to stay in Ecuador for 90 days without a visa. Tourists need to have a passport which is valid for at least 6 month after arrival, a return ticket or a ticket for an onward journey as well as enough funds for the stay. Students who want to extend their stay (180 days maximum) have to apply for a student visa before arrival at the Ecuadorean consulate in Berlin. You can get more information concerning the visa directly at the Ecuadorean consulate in Berlin, in Vienna or in Bern.
Japan
European citizen do not need a visa for a 90-day stay in Japan. If students should wish to stay for a longer time (180 days maximum) they have to apply for an extension at one of the regional immigration authorities. To enter Japan you need to have a passport which is valid until the end of your stay.