Registration in Germany

Within the first two weeks after your arrival in Germany, you will have to make an appointment to register with your local registration office. If you will be staying in temporary accommodations during the first weeks or months after your arrival, please remember to inform the registration office of your new address as soon as possible once you have moved into your permanent accommodations. Registration is compulsory in Germany; failure to register is an offense. Take along the following documents when you register at the Resident Registration Office:

• Passport (with visa, if you have one).
• Tenancy agreement and confirmation of residence from your landlord.
• Contract and work permit (if applicable).

Residence Permit

In addition to the confirmation of registration, you also need to apply for a residence permit at the Alien Registration Office. They will ask to see the following documents:

• Confirmation of registration from the Resident Registration Office
• Confirmation of health insurance coverage
• Proof of financial resources (if applicable)
• Passport (and visa, if you have one)
• Money for the fee
• Tenancy agreement and/or signed agreement from your landlord
• Biometric passport photos

Your residence permit is issued in the form of a chip card which contains your personal data, such as your passport photo and finger prints. Four to six weeks after applying, you will be notified by the Alien Registration Office that your residence permit has arrived. You must pick it up in person. 

Work Permit

In Germany, students placed at corporate internships are required to have a work permit. Either MISTI or the host can apply for this document, which requires 4-6 weeks processing time. Occasionally students at research institutes or labs are required to have a work permit in addition to a letter of invitation. See your program manager to confirm.

Once you have received your work permit, you can apply for a visa at the German consulate (if necessary) or for a residence permit at your local foreigners' authorities in Germany.

Taxes

As your main place of residence will be Germany for the period of your internship, you will also be subject to tax in Germany for that time period. When you register with the local Registration Office they will automatically initiate the application of a Tax Identification Number (ID). As soon as your ID has been created, they will send it to you. Normally, you should receive the Identification Number within the next 4 weeks after your registration. You should forward this information to your employer as this is required for payroll.