Visa
If you are planning to study abroad outside of Europe and do not have a valid passport at the time of your application, you should be sure to apply for or renew your passport as soon as possible.
For many countries, a minimum validity of the passport is required (for example, at least 6 months after return from abroad) and often a copy of the passport must already be submitted with the application documents to the partner university.
For a semester abroad at a partner university outside Europe, you will need a student visa. After receiving the written confirmation of acceptance from the foreign university, you can apply for your visa at the embassy or consulate in Germany responsible for the respective country.
Note: Entering the host country on a tourist visa is only possible in exceptional cases (such as very short stays abroad of 2-3 months) in some countries. Important to note: a tourist visa can not be converted into a student residence permit on the spot - this means that you have to leave after the tourist visa expires. Please be sure to inquire with your host institution regarding which visa is necessary.
On the website of the Federal Foreign Office you will find address lists of the responsible embassies and consulates in Germany as well as travel and security information for your destination country.