Pre-Arrival Checklist for International Scholars
Initial Steps
☐ Register with the Welcome Centre
As soon as you know that you will be staying at the University of Cologne, please register with the Welcome Centre. We can assist you with matters such as your visa, housing and insurance.
☐ Check your Passport
To enter Germany, you will need a valid passport or an equivalent identity document (driver's license is not sufficient). This passport must be valid at least until the end of your stay in Germany and, if you want to extend your stay, correspondingly longer. Make sure that you always use the same spelling of your names.
☐ Check Entry Regulations and Apply for a Visa
If you are a citizen of a non-EU/EEA country, you and accompanying family members will most likely need a valid visa in order to enter Germany. You can apply for a visa at the German Embassy in your home country or a German consulate representing the area in which you are registered or live. To know more about visa regulations, please refer to the German Embassy or check the information on our website.
☐ Health Insurance
Health insurance coverage is required to enter Germany. Please visit our webpage on health insurance to find out which requirements apply to your individual situation. If you need a residence permit, your choice of insurance type is relevant for the application. Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens may consider taking out travel health insurance to cover the period from entry until their regular health insurance starts.
☐ Consider other Insurance
Third-party liability insurance is not mandatory in Germany, but is strongly recommended to protect you against potentially high costs if you accidentally cause damage to others or their property. Ideally, arrange coverage from the start of your stay. Depending on your individual situation, household contents insurance may also be useful to cover your personal belongings against risks such as theft, fire or water damage.
☐ Plan ahead for Housing
The housing market in Cologne and surroundings is extremely challenging and housing offers are rare. We are glad to provide assistance in finding housing but need to encourage all scholars to search on their own as well.
☐ Documents
Make sure to check which kind of documents you may be needing here in Germany. A city registration or an application for a residence permit requires certified translations of those documents (e.g. master diploma for the residence permit).
☐ Family Matters
Plan ahead for childcare and your partner's professional integration.
- Please note that the allocation of childcare places is bound to fixed dates and that finding childcare & school places during the year is difficult and requires advance notice. Please contact the Family Support for assistance in finding suitable childcare options. The Welcome Centre can assist you in finding a suitable school place for your child.
- The Dual Career Support offers the partners of international postdocs individual counselling on professional integration and reorientation in Cologne and the surrounding area. Your partner will receive support with a wide range of issues related to job search and application processes.