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. Our aim is to help make their transition to Leipzig smooth and fast, so that all scientists can benefit from a successful and exciting work period at the institute form the first moment onwards.
The International Office will assist with issues coming up during the process of moving to Germany
Please feel free to contact us for any assistance with your stay in Leipzig and at MPI EVA, we are happy to help with the paperwork and beyond. Typical subjects might be:
- Guidance during visa application
- Registration with the city of Leipzig
- Application for a Residence Permit
- Visa extension procedures and contacts with the German Foreign Office
- How to find and settle into accommodation
- Opening a German bank account
- Health insurance (coverage is mandatory in Germany) and liability insurance
- Finding healthcare
- Schools and day care in the vicinity
- Support for spouses and children of visiting scientists
- Driver’s license exchange and vehicle registration
- How to use public transport
- German and English language courses at various levels
- Travel information
- Cultural and social background information
About Leipzig
Leipzig is a diverse, dynamic and forward-looking city that has developed successfully in the areas of research and innovation. The city is full of a great variety of music and culture, creativity, history and zeitgeist. It is filled with green parcs, and explorable waterways cut through some quarters. A growing network of cycle paths helps you to get through Leipzig while an extensive local public transport system covers the city and beyond.
The greater offers a lot to explore: lakes (see the German site Neuseenland), castles, palaces and gardens, and miles of wheel- and hiking trails.
Find out more on the sites of Leipzig Tourism and the City of Leipzig (both can be switched to the English language)
About Germany
Facts about Germany is a reference website offering all sorts of up-to-date and reliable information on aspects of modern life in Germany – be it business, culture, or politics. It has figures, facts, and interesting timelines on various topics.
Things to Do Before Arrival
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.
In order to find out whether you need a visa to enter Germany or not, please refer to the following list provided by the German Federal Foreign Office: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/einreiseundaufenthalt/visabestimmungen-node/staatenlistevisumpflicht-node.
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. Find the German mission in your country: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/about-us/auslandsvertretungen
Visa Applications in the Consular Services Portal
Whether you want to apply for a visa, or need to find out which type of visa applies to you: The Federal Foreign Office’s Consular Service Portal is a good place to start, it aims to help with further comprehensive information: https://digital.diplo.de/visa. Bear in mind that the visa process may take up to three months.
Documents you will need to have ready
Typically, you need to have the following documents ready before your arrival in Germany:
- passport, which must be valid for at least 12 months (for each family member, if applicable)
- 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)
- original of your university degree and/or doctoral degree
- if you travel with your spouse and/or family, we advise you to submit all applications at the same time, even if your family is arriving later. For family members, this would be
- passport, which must be valid for at least 12 months, for each family member
- marriage (or partnership) certificate with apostille/legalization and certified translation
- birth certificates of your children with apostille/legalization and certified translation
First Steps upon Arrival in Leipzig
1st step: Registration (at the "Meldebehörde")
You have to register your residence at the "Meldebehörde" within 2 weeks of your arrival in Germany. To be able to do so, you will need to provide a confirmation form signed by your landlord and fill and sign the registration form for the city of Leipzig.
Take these plus your passport or your ID card to the International Office and sign the power of attorney there. The registration will then be done by the International Office.
2nd step: Residence Permit
If you have entered Germany on a work/research visa (also called "National Visa"), and plan to stay longer than the visa is valid, you will need to apply for a German residence permit with the foreign office in Leipzig before your visa expires. We will be happy to help you through the process and send the application on your behalf.
Case workers at the foreign office are recommending to start the application process early on, since processing times have been increasing lately. Additionally, vacation or business travel can impact the application process.