Visa applications to begin employment and / or to conduct research at TU Darmstadt need supporting documentation from the university. After you register with us, we will assess your circumstances and provide relevant documentation for your visa appointment.

Important: If you are not a European Union / EEA national and have been offered an employment contract with TU Darmstadt then you need a visa to travel to Germany which explicitly permits employment. Without this visa you will not be able to sign your employment contract.

Comprehensive information on the relevant visa categories as well as the visa application process can be found at make-it-in-germany.com. Please also check the website of the relevant German mission (Auslandsvertretung) of the country you are normally resident in for any additional application requirements.

A list of the German missions (Auslandsvertretungen) can be found at the Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt).

If you are already in Germany and plan to transfer to TU Darmstadt, you need to consider a number of things.

If you are not a European Union / EEA national and have been offered an employment contract with TU Darmstadt then you need a residence permit which explicitly permits employment at TU Darmstadt. Without this residence permit you will not be able to sign your employment contract.

Comprehensive information on the relevant categories of residence permits as well as how to change a student residence permit to an employmentresidence permit can be found at make-it-in-germany.com.

Further information on researcher residence permits can also be found at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.

Important: Please change your residence title before the start of your research stay at TU Darmstadt. If you live outside Darmstadt then please apply for your new residence title first before relocating to Darmstadt and reregistering (Ummeldung).

The Welcome Centre supports you in the preparation of your application for a residence permit, providing advice on what options are available to you and helps you collate the correct supporting documentation and fillout forms.

If you change your status at TU Darmstadt, then you are personally required to inform the responsible Foreingers Office. They will then advise if your current residence permit requires updating. More information as well as a list of foreigner´s offices can be found under Arrival and Orientation .

If you want to begin employment at TU Darmstadt after completing your masters degree you need to change your student residence permit to permit you to work full-time. Information on residence permits for researchers can be found at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.

If you are a doctoral degree scholarship holder with a student residence title who wishes to start your employment at TU Darmstadt, you need to act accordingly to the aforementioned paragraph.

Important: You cannot sign an employment contract without a suitable residence permit.

Finding a suitable accommodation can be challengingso begin your search early on.

The university’s Housing Assistance Office supports your search for short or long term accommodation and manages the University guest houses for international researchers and their families. The guest houses offer fully equipped apartments in a good location and are a helpful base for looking for accommodation in Darmstadt.

The guest houses are very popular and must be booked well in advance. Information about apartment availability in the guest houses as well as assistance in finding accommodation on the private market can be obtained from the Housing Assistance office.

If you would like your family to join you after your arrival, the Welcome Centre is able to offer you advice on the necessary procedures.

Please ensure your marriage certificate (with apostille) is available for applying for family reunion, registering with the local authorities, assessing your tax class, as well as for applying for a residence permit.

The Schengen Area consists of a group of states whose borders can be crossed without an identity check. However, it is still mandatory to have a passport or ID card with you.

As an owner of a Schengen-Visa, you have the possibility of traveling freely within the validity of your visa. A visa for airport transit is only valid in the transit zones of international airports.

Third country nationals, owning a valid national residence permit of a Schengen-state can stay in a different Schengen-state for up to 90 days within 180 days. The European Commission offers a tool for calculating your short stays.

For more information, visit the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.

All visa applications require appropriate health insurance. Please purchase this. We will support you in finding appropriate public or private health insurance for the duration of your time at TU Darmstadt.

Detailed information on health insurance can be found at “Arrival and Orientation”.

• Employees of TU Darmstadt must be able to document relevant previous employments. Please bring all relevant employment contracts or certificates with you. Documentation can be submitted in German or English.
• Doctoral candidates must document their previous studies. Please bring all certificates and transcripts of records of previous studies (bachelor, diploma, master or similar) with you. Study certificates can be submitted in German, English or French. For other languages, a certified translation and original document must be submitted.
• Scholarship holders must bring all documentation regarding their award.

• If you have school age children you should provide all of their school certificates. Passport (for each incoming family member)
• If required entry visa (if applicable for each incoming family member)
• Job offer or letter of invitation and financing statement – if issued hosting agreement

The following documents can be necessary, too

• Birth certificate (of every incoming family member)
• Marriage certificate (please inform yourself at the German embassy if formalities like a notarization or translation of the documents are necessary)
• Academic degree certificates and transcripts
• Vaccination certificate (card)
• Declaration of special health needs or disabilities
• If you want to drive a car in Germany you will need an international drivers licence or depending on your home country a translation of your driver’s licence

To ensure that you enter Germany with all the required documents, please contact the Welcome Centre.