International Office
Our experiences have shown that it's advisable to start planning and organizing a relocation as soon as it's confirmed.
Visa application:
To enter Germany, you will need a valid passport and a visa that you allows to take up your work at the Institute. In most cases, a visa will be issued by the German embassy in your home country for the first 90 or more days, which should then be converted into a longer-term residence permit.
Whether you need a visa or a residence permit depends on your country of origin. For most EU citizens, a valid ID card or passport is sufficient. However, citizens of non-EU countries need a visa to enter Germany.
To apply for a visa, please submit your application together with the employment offer/ invitation letter of the Instiute at a German diplomatic mission in your home country or online at: https://digital.diplo.de/Visa
Accommodation upon arrival:
We would be happy to assist you in finding accommodation if needed. If available, you can reserve a furnished apartment in our guest house for the first few weeks.
We will also support you in finding a long-term apartment in Halle (Saale).
Pre-Arrival Checklist
- Valid passport or identity document.
- Valid visa if applicable.
- Health Insurance: Make sure that you have a valid health insurance for the time of your trip and your stay in Germany.
- Marriage certificate (if applicable) AND apostille or legalization. Both documents must be translated into German by a certified translation office (could be done in Halle (Saale)).
- If you travel with your kids: Birth certificate and if you need a visa/residence permit also the apostille/legalization of your kid’s birth certificate and the latest school reports.
- Driving license: Please check with the International Office the requirements beforehand.
- Your latest university degrees (orignal or certified copies).
Step 1) As soon as possible, but within the first 2 weeks:
- Register at the Residents' Registration Office (Bürgerservice) with your private address in Germany: Once you have successfully registered, you will receive a registration certificate, which you will need, for example, to apply for your residence permit or to open a bank account.
- Apply for a residence permit: The International Office will inform you about the necessary documents and arrange an appointment for you at the Foreigners' Registration Office.
- Open a bank account: To receive a regular salary/stipend or to pay rent.
- Tax ID: The tax ID will be assigned to you after your first registration in Germany and sent by post to your registered address. The tax ID is required by the personnel administration and the bank, among others.
Broadcasting fee (GEZ): The International Office will inform you about the obligatory registration and cancellation procedure for the public radio and television program.
Step 2) Within the first month after arrival:
- Search for long-term accommodation (recommended immediately).
- Set up internet, telephone.
- Transfer of your national driver's licence (if applicable).
Step 3) After settling in
- Broadcasting fee (GEZ): Anyone staying in Germany for longer than three months must register and pay fees for public radio and television programs.
- Insurances: Conclusion of important voluntary insurance policies.
- Official deregistration processes (immigration authorities, residents' registration office).
- Registration as a job seeker (if you plan to continue living in Germany).
- Necessary cancellations of:
- Rental agreement/lease
- Telephone and internet contracts
- Utilities (electricity, gas)
- Bank account
- Railway discount card (Bahncard), Deutschlandticket Jobticket
- Drivers licence
- Broadcasting license fee (GEZ)
- Insurance policies