Checklist for international postdocs/ researchers from other countries
1. Before arrival
Step 1: Get informed about the opportunities for scientific work at Chemnitz University of Technology on your subject area. The scope starts from short-term research stays up to long-term job positions. Please pay attention also to our FAQ regarding research opportunities at Chemnitz University of Technology.
Step 2: In case you are still searching for options for financing your stay for research or scientific qualification/ work at Chemnitz University of Technology, you should find out about funding opportunities and/or you can apply for an open job position of Chemnitz University of Technology.
Step 3: Search for an appropriate accommodation at Chemnitz. In coordination with the landlord, the conclusion of a renting contract might be possible already at this stage, if applicable. Please pay attention to our FAQ regarding accommodation.
Step 4: Conclude a contract with a German health insurance company for sufficient health insurance coverance for the time of your stay in Germany. Please pay attention to our FAQ regarding health insurance.
Step 5: Apply for a visa for a stay in Germany for the purpose of research at the responsible German Mission Abroad in your home country. In case you are planning to stay for that purpose more than 90 days in Germany, you have mandatorily got to apply for a national visa ("D-visa"). If you would like to stay less than 90 days and leave Germany afterwards, f.e. within a short-term research stay, also a so-called "Schengen-visa" ("C-visa") would be sufficient. The advantage of this type of visa is that it is generally easier to apply for and it is issued faster than a national visa. Please take care of a sufficient timeframe to the intended beginning of your project at Chemnitz University of Technology as the processing time (at least in case of national visa) may take up to several months. Please pay attention also to our FAQ regarding visa.
In case you would like to arrive with travelling family members:
Step 6a: In case of an intended stay for research of more than 90 days in Germany, you have to apply for a national visa ("D-visa") (for the purpose of family reunion) also for travelling family members (in case of a shorter stay, also for them a "Schengen-/ C-visa" would be sufficient). Please ask at the German Mission Abroad in your home country responsible for the issue of visa if there are special requirements in this respect (German language proficiency, minimum size of accommodation etc.). Please pay special attention to sufficient health insurance coverance for your family members for the period of their stay in Germany by including them in your contract with the German provider (see step 4)
Step 6b: In case you would like to travel with minor children: Get in contact as soon as possible with the Family Service of Chemnitz University of Technology regarding childcare facilities resp. schools during your stay at Chemnitz. Please pay attention to our FAQ regarding childcare resp. school.
2. After arrival
Step 1: Conclude a renting contract for your accommodation at Chemnitz. In coordination with the landlord this might also be possible before your arrival, if applicable. Please pay attention to our FAQ regarding accommodation.
Step 2: Register within a period of 14 days after arrival at the Citizens' Registration Office (Meldebehörde). A respective certificate of registration counts i.a. among the prerequirements for opening a bank account at a German bank (see step 4).
Step 3: Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of research at the Immigration Authority in case that your stay for research in Germany is intended to be longer than 90 days and that your visa expires during the period of your stay. The same applies for travelling family members (application for a residence permit for the purpose of family reunion, if applicable).
Step 4: Open a bank account at a German bank. Please pay attention to our respective FAQ.
Step 5: In case that you have successfully applied for a position at Chemnitz University of Technology: Conclude your working contract with the Department for Human Resources. Please pay attention to our FAQ regarding employment at Chemnitz University of Technology.
Step 6: In case you would like to make use of public transport during your stay at Chemnitz, get informed about favorable tariffs according to your habits of use. In this respect, our FAQ regarding mobility could be helpful.
3. During the stay
Step 1: In case of interest or demand, get informed about offers for linguistic further training, for the acquisition of generic qualifications as well as for networking and social integration of PhD-students. In this regard, you are welcome to i.a. register at the mailing list of the PhD-Assistants of the International Office. Please also pay attention to our FAQ regarding offers for support.
Step 2: Please check regularly your residence permit: In case that the duration of your research resp. scientific qualification project will be longer than the period of time indicated there, you have to apply for a prolongation of the validity of your residence permit. In case that the purpose, which you indicated at the application for a visa, changes or that you would like to take up an (additional) employment during your period of stay, you might eventually have to apply for a new residence permit. If one of two lastly mentioned cases applies, contact the Immigration Authority as soon as possible. In case that you are travelling with familiy members, please also remember to apply for prolongation of their residence permits in due time, if applicable.
4. a) Remaining at Chemnitz/ Germany
Step 1a: In case that after a research stay at Chemnitz University of Technology or after successful completion of your postdoctoral qualification you decide to remain in Germany, Chemnitz University of Technology offers a number of positions for professors for which you are welcome to apply for continuing your scientific career.
Step 1b: If you move to another employer in Germany and would like to stay connected with Chemnitz University of Technology as well as to be kept on the run regarding the newest developments and offers for you, you are cordially invited to register at the Alumni-Database of Chemnitz University of Technology!
Step 2: In the case that i.a. you have a residence permit since 5 years and that you have paid contributions for at least 60 months to the Statutory Pension Fund, you are entitled to apply for a settlement permit at the Immigration Authority. This entitles you to stay for an unlimited period of time in Germany and to take up any employment. To highly-qualified persons, the settlement permit may be issued even at an earlier stage. For further details, please address to the Immigration Authority.
We wish you a successful career and would appreciate if you remain faithful to resp. stay connected with Chemnitz University of Technology!
4. b) Return to home country
Step 1: You would like to stay connected with your Alma Mater also after having left Chemnitz University of Technology and you would like to be kept on the run regarding the newest developments and offers for you? Then you are cordially invited to register at the Alumni-Database of Chemnitz University of Technology!
Step 2: Give notice regarding your accommodation at Chemnitz in due time. Please pay attention especially to the periods of notice in this respect fixed in your renting contract.
Step 3: Give notice also regarding your German health insurance in due time. Please pay attention especially to the periods of notice in this respect fixed in your contract with the provider.
Step 4: De-register your residence at Chemnitz at the Citizens' Registration Office (Meldebehörde) in due time.
Step 5: De-register (and also travelling family members, if applicable) at the Immigration Authority.
Step 6: Close your German bank account within a personal appointment at the respective bank.
We wish you safe travels home, a successful career and would appreciate if you would stay connected with Chemnitz University of Technology!
