TAM Navigator — Relocating to Gießen

Welcome to TAM

You're almost here. Let's make the start easy.

01 Before Arrival
02 First Weeks 03 Settling In
PHASE 01 Before Arrival 4 steps to complete before you land

The German administrative system rewards preparation. A few steps taken early can save you weeks of waiting later — and get you into the lab faster.

1
Do this immediately

Connect with your Welcome Office

Your university's Welcome Office is your local expert for relocation. Reach out the moment you accept your position — they can answer questions specific to your city before you even pack.

JLU Gießen

International Researchers Office

Visit website ↗

Universität Marburg

Welcome Center for Mobile Researchers

Visit website ↗

TU Darmstadt

Welcome Center

Visit website ↗

Goethe Uni / FIAS Frankfurt

Global Office

Visit website ↗
2
Critical — don't delay

Visa — sort this first

This is the step that determines everything else. Delays here delay your arrival. Select your situation below.

ⓘ The visa information below is general guidance only — not legal or immigration advice. Requirements vary by nationality, contract type, and individual circumstances, and they change over time. Always verify current requirements directly with your German Embassy or Consulate and the relevant immigration authority. TAM cannot be held responsible for individual visa or permit decisions.
You do not require a visa or residence permit to work in Germany. Skip ahead to Documents.
Citizens of certain non-EU countries may enter Germany without a visa for short stays. However, applying for the correct visa before you travel is strongly recommended — it significantly speeds up your residence permit and salary setup after arrival.

→ Check whether your country is on the visa-free entry list (German Foreign Office)
  • PhD candidates → §18d Research Visa
  • Postdocs (full-time) → EU Blue Card
  • Postdocs (other contracts) → §18d Research Visa

You'll need an invitation letter from your PI and a hosting agreement from the TAM admin office.
You must apply at the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country before travelling. Appointments and processing times can be lengthy — start immediately.
  • PhD candidates → §18d Research Visa
  • Postdocs (full-time) → EU Blue Card
  • Postdocs (other contracts) → §18d Research Visa

Gather: invitation letter from PI, hosting agreement, proof of health insurance.

→ Find your nearest German Embassy or Consulate
3
Before you pack

Documents — bring the originals

German authorities almost always require original documents, not copies. Retrieving them later is difficult. Check each item off before you pack.

⚠️ Non-EU driving licences are valid for 6 months after residency registration. Bring yours regardless.
  • PassportValid for the entire duration of your initial stay
  • Academic certificates & transcriptsOriginals of your degree(s)
  • Invitation letter from PIIssued by your principal investigator
  • Hosting agreement / employer declarationFrom the TAM / PI's admin office
  • Birth certificateOnly required for family permits
  • Marriage certificateIf registering marriage or applying for a family permit
  • Children's birth certificatesIf accompanying family members
  • Driver's licenceValid for 6 months after residency registration
4
As soon as possible

Housing — you need an address to register

Without a registered address you can't complete City Registration. Without City Registration, almost nothing else works. Start your housing search early.

💡 Hostels and short-term sublets are a perfectly valid starting point — they don't negatively affect your registration.
Apply for university dormitories (Studierendenwerke). You can often apply before formal enrollment.
Search the private rental market. These are the most widely used platforms in Germany: Short-term sublets and hostels are a common and practical starting point.

That's Phase 1 done.

Take a breath — you've covered the essentials. Once you land and have an address, Phase 2 walks you through the first administrative steps in Germany, in exactly the right order.

Continue to Phase 2 →

Got questions at any point? Rebekka Volmer at the TAM TrainingHub is your first call.

ⓘ Information on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Requirements vary by individual circumstance — please verify with the relevant authorities.

[emailprotected] →