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Residence Permit for Korean Students in Germany

Q: Where is the best German city for Korean students in terms of Ausländerbehörde wait times?

RWTH Aachen and other smaller university cities (Aachen, Erlangen, Münster, Freiburg) typically have 1–4 week appointment waits compared to Berlin's 8–16 weeks. If you have flexibility in your city choice and are prioritizing a smooth start, a smaller university city with a strong engineering or science department is often a practical advantage.

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South Korean passport holders enter Germany visa-free under §41 AufenthV — the same provision covering US, Canadian, Australian, and Japanese nationals. You arrive in Germany without a prior student visa and apply for your Aufenthaltserlaubnis (residence permit) at the local Ausländerbehörde after registering your address. The process is well-established and Korean students successfully complete it every semester.

Arrive in Germany on your Korean passport — no student visa required.
Arrange accommodation: secure a place to live with a registered address before or immediately after arrival.
Register at the Bürgeramt within 14 days: Bring passport and Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord's housing confirmation). Receive your Anmeldebestätigung.
Book Ausländerbehörde appointment: Book online before arriving in Germany. Berlin: 8–16 weeks. Munich: 4–8 weeks. Aachen: 1–4 weeks. Most university cities have student-dedicated appointment slots.
Gather your documents (checklist below).
Attend appointment: Receive your Fiktionsbescheinigung (provisional certificate) on the day. You may now live and work (up to 120 days/year) legally while your permit is processed.
Collect biometric residence permit: 4–12 weeks after your appointment.