Department of Home Affairs and Sport

Apply for exemption from visa requirements for pupils on collective lists

If you go on a school trip with schoolchildren, they can use the collective list to enter a country in the European Union and some other countries without a visa or passport.

Detailed description

The student collection list is a form that facilitates school trips with a multinational class. It is valid for school trips within the European Union as well as to Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway (European Economic Area).



Your students who are third-country nationals and reside in Germany and who would normally require a visa in the destination country can, as an exception, enter the country without a visa using the list. The collective student list enables your students to take part in a school trip, for example, even if an asylum procedure has not yet been completed. If you, as a teacher, present the collective student list at the border, the border protection authorities of the member states must allow your listed students to enter and leave the country without a visa. Your students only need to show their passport or identity card when crossing the border.



If one of your students does not have a passport or other valid travel document, the EU form will also be accepted as a passport replacement when crossing the border, provided that the list

  • with a photo of the student and
  • has been certified and approved by the locally competent authority.

With the approval, the responsible authority confirms that all of your listed students live in Germany and are entitled to return. The student list contains the following information:

  • Names, dates of birth and addresses of the pupils,
  • Names of accompanying teachers
  • Name of school
  • Destination and duration of the school trip,
  • if applicable, photos of pupils who do not have a passport.

It is advisable to obtain further information about the procedure in your specific case before travelling. To do so, contact the embassy of the country you are travelling to and the local authority responsible.

 

Information

Prerequisites

One or more participants of the trip are

  • Pupil of a general or vocational school in Germany and
  • Nationals of a third country (not: Germany, European Union, European Economic Area) residing in Germany.

When used as a visa replacement:

  • The student needs a visa. You can find out which countries of origin require a visa and therefore a student list as a visa replacement on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.

When used as a passport replacement:

  • A student does not have a passport or other valid travel document.

Documents required

No

Please note

There are no special features.

Deadlines

Application deadline: no later than four weeks before departure


Validity of the collection list: maximum 3 months

Procedure

  • You, as a teacher or other representative of the school, contact the responsible office informally by email and request the creation of a student collection list. In doing so, you provide information on the necessary travel and personal data
    • Name and address of the school
    • destination
    • Travel period
    • Names of accompanying teachers
    • Personal details of the students concerned
  • The responsible body checks and creates the student collection list based on the application data you have submitted. If any information is missing, the responsible body will request it from you.
  • The student list is sent to the school together with a fee notice.
  • You or another representative of the school confirms the accuracy of the information on the student list with the school seal.
  • The school usually passes the fee payment on to the affected students.

Processing time

Processing time can take up to several weeks.

Fees

Adults: 12.00 EUR per travelling person


Minors: EUR 6.00 per travelling person

Legal remedies

Action before the administrative court

Legal basis

EU Council Decision on the joint action adopted to facilitate travel for school pupils from third countries residing in a Member State (No. 94/795/J of 30 November 1994)


https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/?uri=CELEX:31994D0795


Section 3 Paragraph 3 Number 6 Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__4.html


Section 4 paragraph 1 number 5 in conjunction with Section 22 of the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__4.html

Address and contact information

Department of Home Affairs and Sport

Mon-Tue 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Thu-Fri 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and by appointment - closed on Wednesdays

Due to the pandemic spread of the disease COVID-19 caused by the pathogen SARS-CoV-2 ("Corona virus"), personal visits in the service building in Hammer Straße are not required and should only take place in emergencies or by appointment.



The following procedures therefore apply until further notice:

  • Holders of residence permits, residence permits, tolerations or other documents relating to residence law (e.g. fiction certificates) whose validity is about to expire will receive a certificate confirming the continuation of legality. At the same time, with this certificate, you will be given a preliminary appointment in a few weeks.
  • The certificate is currently sent by letter
  • If the residents' central office is visited due to the expiry of the validity of the previously valid document, the certificate will be issued in the entrance area
  • The previous document on the right of residence in the federal territory is only valid in connection with the certificate until the preliminary interview.
  • This also applies to all ancillary provisions to your document (e.g. type and scope of permitted employment).
  • Travel abroad and re-entry into the federal territory are only possible with a still valid residence permit.

Haven't found the right one yet?

To Hamburg Service startpage

Keywords: Residence permit, school trip Settlement permit, school trip Traveler list, school trip Migrants, school trip Foreigners, school trip Residence permit, class trip Traveler list, class trip Class trip, student collection lists Class trip, secure stay

Last updated: 24.01.2026