Visa and Work Permit

As an international applicant, you may need a visa or residence permit to enter Germany and obtain an employment contract. In the following section, we will guide you through all the important steps to ensure you are well prepared for your visa application.

The Welcome Center

The AI Center is a research cooperation between the University of Tübingen and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems – typically, AI Center researchers are employed at either one of those institutions. Both institutions offer dedicated services for researchers moving to Germany and Tübingen, and we encourage you to get in touch with the respective “Welcome Center” or “International Office” as soon as possible. 

The University of Tübingen’s Welcome Center offers various services, including support for international researchers with visa-related questions. Their expertise is invaluable, making it highly advisable for every international doctoral candidate, postdoc, or professor to register with them. Their website also contains a lot of interesting and helpful information, so we encourage you to explore it. The most important points are summarized below.

Researchers joining the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems can get support from the International Office (check out their website here). Additionally, a wealth of information can be found in the brochure “Living and working in Germany - A guide for international scientists at Max Planck Institutes”. 

Most important information

EU Citizens

If you are an EU citizen, you do not need a visa for entering Germany. You are also not required to apply for a residence permit after entering Germany, but like anyone else, you will need to register with your local residents registration office within two weeks after arriving.

Visa

International citizens typically need a visa to travel to Germany. Please carefully review the requirements on the website of the German embassy responsible for your visa in your current country of residence.

  • To check if you need a visa, please visit: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/-/231148
  • The required documentation for your visa application will vary depending on the type of visa you need and the country you are from.
  • If you need to extend your visa, please submit your application at least one month before your visa expires.

Residence Permit (Non-EU Nationals)

After arriving in Germany, you must contact the Foreign Registration Office ("Ausländeramt") of the city you live in. If you live in Tübingen, send an email to auslaenderamt＠tuebingen․de, and they will respond with a list of documents you need to provide. Once you have gathered the necessary documents, you can make an appointment via this link (location is in the city center). Bring the completed forms, your passport, and a valid passport photo (which will be used for the residence permit). Typically, the documents you should bring include:

For Employment:

  • Proof of health insurance
  • Employment contract
  • Proof of earnings for the last three months (if available)
  • Rental contract

For Study:

  • Proof of health insurance
  • Certificate of enrollment at the university
  • Proof of sufficient funds for your stay (e.g., bank statement or scholarship)