I have a friend living in Germany and her student visa is just about to expire. She needs to leave the EU and re-enter on a tourist visa.

Will it work if she comes to stay with me for a couple of days?

Can she get her visa stamped as easily when catching the train, or is coming by plane easier for that?

I have to admit to being quite clueless about this. When I flew to Germany a couple of months ago I don't recall even showing my passport.

Border crossing on rail ( or car for that matter ) hardly causes an inspection on your permit nor passport. At best, only the ticket is inspected.

I suggest flying, forcing a verification and stamping on the passport.

Visa to CH, if required:

http://www.botschaftschweiz.de/eda/e...ef_visinf.html

German mission offices in CH, for a visa to DE if required:

http://www.botschaftschweiz.de/eda/e...den/c_143.html

Are you sure she needs to leave just EU and not Schengen?

My friend is Australian with no EU, Swiss or British passport or long term visa.

The Aussie friend does not need a tourist visa according to the German Foreign Ministry ( http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/ ).

Link

But doesn't she have to leave the country when her Student visa expires? Wouldn't this be proven by getting the passport stamped upon re-entry, where the tourist visa then applies automatically?

As I understand it, the Australian student applies for and obtains a a Student Visa to Germany, and having arrived, obtains a student resident permit normally valid for 2 years and renewable ( Aufenthaltserlaubnis für Studienzwecke ).

Upon expiry of the permit and course of study, the student needs to Abmelden ( deregister ) from the community ( Einwohnermeldeamt, Bürgeramt or Ausländerbehörde ) and depart.

As an Australian, she can cross over to CH as a visitor, and re-enter Germany also as a visitor ( up to a certain number of days ) or alternatively apply for a Schengen Visa for longer visits.

If you are registered on our sister site www.toytowngermany.com, you might be able to find relevant information and pose detailed questions especially about the German side of things.

EDIT: One thread on TT. Another one here. Please also refer to DAAD here and the Residence Act ( Aufenthaltsgesetz ) here.

Wow jrspet, you are a wealth of information. Thanks. I shall let my friend know of the sister site in Germany and the links you have provided.

Mod, can you please close this thread.

Problem solved. She went to Australia.