Welcome Center Services

The Welcome Center offers advice and support for international researchers (postdocs, professors) and their families in non-academic matters. The Welcome Center assists you in contacting institutions within the university and important institutions outside of the university. 

The Welcome Center team helps you with formalities (e.g. visa), finding a place to live, exploring funding possibilities and organizing language courses.

Checklist for inviting institutes

Arrival

Checklist before you enter Germany: Download
(1)In order to be able to receive a scientist in Hohenheim at all, you need a hosting agreement, which you fill out together with the invited scientist.
(2)  Where the financial resources come from must also be clarified in advance.

Checklists for international researchers

Arrival

Checklist before arriving in Germany: Download
(1)A passport or equivalent identification document that must be valid for the entire stay in Germany.
(2)

A visa, including visas for the accompanying family members.

Apply for your visa as soon as possible!

There can be delays with the residency permits for accompanying family members. Some countries (e.g. EU states or the USA) are not required to fulfill this condition.

(3)Confirmation of your funding (salary from your home country / proof of a scholarship) in German or English.
(4)If required, a certified copy of your high school diploma / A-level certificate, your university degree, and/or your PhD certificate in German or English.
(5)

Several passport photos that meet biometric requirements for the various IDs you will be issued during your stay.

(6)
If your spouse or children are coming with you, you will need your marriage certificate and the birth certificate(s) in German translation if at all possible.
(7)
Confirmation that you have health insurance if your insurance covers your stay in Germany (please remember that you must show proof that you and your family have health insurance from the very first day you are in Germany in order to get a residency permit).
(8)

If you have liability insurance or private accident insurance in your home country, check to see whether it also covers your stay in Germany.

If so, please bring the relevant documents with you.

(9)
 International vaccination records, and if appropriate a declaration of any particular or previous diseases (possibly recent x-rays) and any medications you currently need.
(10)
International driver’s license
(11)

When packing, please think about packing the right kind of clothes!

The weather varies greatly in Stuttgart. There are four seasons, but even in summer it often rains and the temperatures can be cool.
You should definitely bring clothes that are suited for cooler temperatures and rain.

(12)

The electrical outlets in Germany are for 220-240 volts, 50 Hertz alternating current and designed for plugs with the Europlug design.

You will need to bring an adapter and converters if your devices use different technical parameters.

Your stay in Germany

Checklist for your stay in Germany: Download
(1) Registration at the citizen's office Plieningen
(2)
Find out in advance if your consulate requires a housing provider confirmation from your landlord (e.g. the Welcome Center) and you as the tenant.
(3)

Opening a bank account, e.g. at:

(4)Application for residence permit for non-EU citizens
(5)

Purchasing health insurance or other insurance

(6)Registering children in school or kindergarten
(7)Registering car
(8)
Registering for language course
(9)Search for longer term accommodation
(10)Registering with the GEZ after successfully finding a permanent place to stay.
You do not have to pay GEZ fees until you have found your own permanent accommodation, but then it is essential.

Leaving Germany

Checklist for leaving German: Download
(1)Cancelling registration with the Bürgerbüro (Citizen Services)
(2)Cancelling insurance policies, GEZ, electricity, preschool/nursery school, school, membership in clubs, bank account, etc.
(3)Terminate your rental agreement with the proper notice period (usually three months notice; the length of the notice period will be in your rental agreement) and agree on a date to handover the apartment to your landlord.
(4)
Often, apartments must be renovated before you leave.
(5)Set up a forwarding service with the German Post Office.
(6)
Submit your tax return by 31 May of the following year (you can get the documents from the tax office responsible for where you live).

Contact

Welcome Center
+49 711 459 24636
Email

Office hours
Mon 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Thurs 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Visitors’ address
Fruwirthstr. 12
Verfügungsgebäude, Room 233
70593 Hohenheim