International Office
The International Office (IO) is a facility of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. Each year, the institute hosts a large number of visiting graduate students, postdocs and senior scientists from all parts of the world. The aim of the IO is to make the transitions of our visiting scientists smooth and fast, so that they can benefit from a successful and exciting work period at the institute.
The International Office will help you with the following issues:
- visa and guidance for application
- preparation before coming to Germany
- how to find a flat and housing
- first steps after arrival
- financial questions
- medical and liability insurance
- healthcare
- schools and day care in the vicinity
- support for spouses and children of visiting scientists
- driving license and vehicle registration
- visa extension procedures and contacts with the German Foreign office
- German and English language courses at various levels
- living in Leipzig
- travel information
- cultural and social background information
Contact
Rocco Buchholz
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Deutscher Platz 6
04103 Leipzig
phone: +49 (341) 3550 - 160
mobile: +49 (0)170 / 7633 455
fax: +49 (341) 3550 - 119
international_office@[>>> Please remove the text! <<<]eva.mpg.de
Things to do before arrival
Visa regulations
| EU citizens: | Nationals of an EU country do not require a visa in order to enter Germany to live and work. |
| Non-EU citizens of “associated” countries: | Citizens of certain non-EU countries do not need a visa for entering Germany. These countries include e.g. Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and the USA. |
| Non-EU citizens of all other countries: | To enter Germany you require a visa. Please contact your nearest embassy or consulate with your letter of invitation/working agreement and apply for a visa three months in advance of your arrival. |
Important documents
You will need to have the following documents ready before your arrival in Germany:
- passport, which must be valid for at least 12 months
- letter of invitation sent to you by the Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology
- a document or certificate confirming that you have received a scholarship/contract from the Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology or from another academic or private institution in Germany
- entrance visa if applicable (issuing authority is the German Embassy in your country)
Documents needed by families:
- passport, for each family member as applicable
- a birth certificate with a verified German translation, for each family member
- a marriage certificate (if applicable) with verified German translation
Helpful links
Information about Germany
Find the German mission in your country
Do you need a visa to enter Germany?
Federal Foreign Office
Things to do after arrival
1st step: Registration (at the "Meldebehörde")
You have to register your residence at the "Meldebehörde" within 2 weeks of your arrival in Germany. Bring your passport or your IDcard to the International Office and sign the registration form there. The registration will be done by the IO.
2nd step: Residence Permit
If you intend to work in Germany and stay longer than three months, you need to have an electronic residence permit ("elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel"). This is an official document confirming permission to stay and legally work in Germany. In order to get one you have to apply for it at the local immigration office ("Ausländerbehörde") soon after your arrival.
Although you only have to apply for a residence permit within 3 months we support you to do this as soon as possible after your arrival.
For your residence permit you personally have to bring the following documents to the local Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde Stadt Leipzig):
- application form for a residence permit
- passport, which must be valid for at least 12 months
- one biometric passport photo
- copy of your scholarship confirmation or your contract of employment
- copy of your recent health insurance contract (which must satisfy the conditions to be accepted in Germany)
- copy of your recent rental agreement
- methods of payment: If you have a contract of employment with Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology the costs for your residence permit will be 110 Euro, extension 65 to 80 Euro. If you hold a scholarship there will be nothing to pay. Payment is either in cash or via EC-Card.
Helpful links
The electronic residence permit (eAT)
Federal office for migration and refugees
Studying and education in Germany
Working in Germany
Living and working in Germany - A guide for international scientists at Max Planck Institutes
Information about Leipzig and Germany
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