Your research stay at KIT is coming up, and there are a few important things to take care of before you arrive.
Our Advisor Team is here to guide you through the preparations and help you keep track of the next steps.

  Visa and Entry Requirements
Citizens of the EU/EEA and Switzerland do not need a visa to enter Germany or a permit for a longer stay. Only a valid passport or identity card is required for entry.

Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the USA can enter Germany without a visa for the purpose of gainful employment. Before taking up an employment, you must apply for a residence permit directly at the foreigners authority at your place of residence in Germany. This regulation only applies to persons who are nationals of one of the above-mentioned countries. However, if you intend to take up employment immediately upon entry, we recommend that you apply for a visa from your German mission in your home country or country of residence and contact us in advance.

All other third-country nationals generally require a visa for stays in Germany. You must apply for a visa at a German diplomatic mission in your home country or country of residence before entering Germany. If you are staying in Germany for longer than 90 days, you must apply for a valid residence permit at the relevant immigration office in Karlsruhe after entering the country.

Please note:

Visiting Scientists, including scholarship holders from a third country, require a Hosting Agreement as the basis for issuing a visa.

If an employment contract is to be concluded with KIT, a Hosting Agreement can be considered as the basis for issuing a visa or a EU Blue Card.

The Federal Foreign Office provides an overview of visa requirements/exemptions for entry into the Federal Republic of Germany.You can find more detailed information and advice on visas and entering Germany on Euraxess Germany.
  Health Insurance
You and any accompanying family members must have valid and adequate health insurance cover for the entire duration of your stay in Germany.
If you have an employment contract at KIT, you can generally take out statutory insurance.
If you are a scholarship holder at KIT, you generally have to take out private insurance.
General information on health insurance in Germany can be found on Euraxess Germany. 
  Additional Insurances
In addition to compulsory health insurance, other optional insurance policies play an important role in everyday life:
- Private liability insurance: in Germany, everyone is held liable for damage they cause to third parties. Parents are liable for their children. We therefore recommend that you take out private liability insurance for a longer stay in Germany to insure yourself against claims arising from damage caused unintentionally.
- Contents insurance: for items belonging to the household.
- Vehicle Insurance: If you have a car and are staying in Germany for a longer period of time, you must register and insure your car in Germany.
You can find detailed information on these and other insurance policies on Euraxess Germany and Make it in Germany.
  Register Your Stay at Mobility Online - Mandatory for Visiting Scientists!

Please note: You need a contact person at a KIT host institute to register your stay via Mobility Online! 

Visiting Scientists are obliged to register their research stay at KIT via Mobility Online.

Once you have successfully registered, you will also have the option to request Welcome Services, i.e., information on various topics. 

International researchers with an employment contract at KIT can register via Mobility Online and request Welcome Services, i.e., information on various topics.
If third-country nationals require a Hosting Agreement to apply for a visa or a residence permit, registration via Mobility Online for the purpose of data processing to create the document is mandatory.
  Important Documents
- Passport or equivalent identification documents. Please make sure that these have a sufficient period of validity. Ideally, your identity document should be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Germany.
 
- Copies of your doctoral certificate should be notarized and ideally be available in German and English translation.

- If you are receiving a scholarship: Confirmation letter or letter of funding from the scholarship provider.

- Marriage certificate and birth certificate(s) should be brought along in German and English translation and notarized. In some cases, a certificate of authenticity (Hague Apostille) may be required.
  Family
General information on kindergartens, preschools and schools can be found on Euraxess Germany. 
The Welcome Center of the Karlsruhe TechnologyRegion has compiled more information on family reunification and living together in Karlsruhe.  
Information on the topic of family as a KIT member can be found on the website of Human Resources Development and Vocational Training (PEBA).
  Accommodation
It is not easy to find suitable accommodation in Karlsruhe, especially from abroad. You should therefore try to find accommodation early on.
The KIT International Guest House offers international researchers their first temporary home. The International Guest Lecture House at KIT also has residential units.  
It is also advisable to ask your supervisor at the host institute for assistance in finding accommodation.
General information about living in Germany can be found on the website of Euraxess Germany or Make it in Germany. 
We have compiled links and common search portals for the Karlsruhe area for you in the Accommodation Information Sheet. 
  Learning German
If you are staying in Germany for a longer period of time, it is worth learning German in order to integrate well and quickly. We recommend that you find out about possible courses in German as a foreign language before you arrive. 
  Doctorate and Postdocs at KIT
The Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS) is the central institution for the promotion of junior researchers at KIT. On the KHYS website you will find detailed information, e.g. about the formal steps for a doctorate and support for junior researchers. 

 

Download Checklist "Before Your Arrival"

More information is available at