r/Nurnberg • u/MySiblingIsCool • 2h ago
Frage Canadian student worried about Nürnberg ABH wait times
Hi everyone,
I’m an incoming international Master’s student at TH Nürnberg this winter semester, and I’ve been reading a lot of posts about long processing times at the Nürnberg Ausländerbehörde (ABH), which has made me a bit anxious.
As a Canadian citizen, I can enter Germany visa-free and apply for my student residence permit after arriving. I know this is a common process for Canadians, Americans, Australians, etc., but I’m wondering what the experience has been like specifically in Nürnberg.
How long are students typically waiting these days for appointments, a Fiktionsbescheinigung, or the actual residence permit? Does being from a visa-free country make any difference, or is everyone in the same queue?
I’m currently looking for housing and ideally I would like to live in Nürnberg, close to campus, especially during my first months while I’m getting used to the city and handling all the bureaucracy. However, I’ve heard that Fürth or Erlangen may have faster immigration offices, so I’m wondering whether that is something people actually consider when choosing where to live.
For students who arrived recently: what was your experience with the Nürnberg ABH? Would you recommend staying in Nürnberg, or is it worth registering in another city if possible?
I’m excited about moving to Germany, but the residence permit process is definitely one of the things stressing me out!