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| At a Glance - for Researchers
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| Do I need a visa and what do I need to consider when applying for one?
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| Citizens of the European Union or Honduras, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the United States of America do not need a visa. Citizens belonging to all other nations require a visa. It is important to remember to apply for a visa well in advance. You need to contact the German Consulate or Embassy in your home country for information on documents required to apply for a visa. More
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| Can my spouse work in Germany?
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| Yes, under certain conditions. It's best to apply for a work permit at the same time as applying for a visa. The visa must have the words "Employment permitted" stamped on it. More
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| Where can I learn German?
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| English is usually understood at universities. But it's still an advantage to be able to speak German. The Goethe Institut, German-run Cultural institutes have branches all over the world. You can also learn German at universities or language schools. More
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| Which authorities do I need to know about?
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| Firstly, the Resident Registration office and the office for Foreigner Affairs. The Resident Registration office is usually located in the city hall or a district office - this is where you have to register your place of residence. At the office for Foreigner Affairs, you'll receive a residency permit. More
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| Do I have to translate and authenticate my certifications and documents?
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| Usually the German authorities require officially translated documents done at specific offices. Important: Never hand in original documents, always make certified copies instead! More
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| In Germany every employee must have a health insurance. You don't need to worry about retirement/pension and unemployment insurance - both are automatically withdrawn from the income. More
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| Do I have to pay taxes in Germany?
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| Whether you need to pay taxes or not depends on the duration of your stay in Germany as well as your status. If your stay in Germany does not exceed six months, you are not required to pay taxes. But even if your stay is a longer one, in certain circumstances, you are exempted from paying taxes. More
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| What about child care and schools?
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| For children under the age of six, there are several child care possibilities: kindergarten, nurseries or so-called "day mothers". But child care costs money - a place at a kindergarten costs between 70 and 200 euro. Children aged 6 and above must attend school in Germany. Primary as well as other schools offer special language courses and other measures to help children adjust to their new surroundings. More
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| How do I find an apartment?
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| It's best to begin searching early for a place to stay. Relatively affordable apartments are not easy to find in Germany. But universities and sponsor institutes do help you to find accommodation. More
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| How safe am I in Germany?
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| Germany is known to be one of the safest countries in the world. Foreigners are welcomed everywhere. Though there are isolated incidents of attacks on foreigners, hostility against foreigners is not so common as compared to some other European countries. More
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