After you have arranged your application formalities with the responsible TUHH institute, you will need to adress a number of practical issues associated with entry formalities to Germany, like applying for visa, finding accommodation and taking out the insurance.
Entry to Germany/Visa
If you have to apply for a visa to enter Germany, you will need an invitation letter from the Institute. Please contact your TUHH supervisor.
Make sure you apply for this visa in good time at the German diplomatic mission in your home country. EU nationals and nationals of certain countries (e.g., Australia, Great Britain, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Canada, Liechtenstein, South Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and the United States) do not need a visa to enter Germany.
- See the list of countries for which there is / is not a visa requirement on the multilingual web page of the Federal Foreign Office. This page also contains information about applying for a visa.
- For special information, see the web page of the diplomatic mission responsible for you.
- Note that the 3-month Schengen visa (tourist visa, visitor’s visa, business visa, visa to attend a language course without the intention of pursuing university study) cannot be converted into a residence permit in Germany. In this case, you must leave Germany and reenter with a special visa issued by the diplomatic mission responsible.
If you enter Germany from a non-EU country, you must prove you have sufficient financial resources when you apply for the visa. If you can enter Germany without a visa, you can prove you have sufficient financial resources when you apply for a residence permit.
Researchers from non-EU countries who plan to stay more than 90 days need a host agreement to apply for their visa and residence permit. Contact person for hosting agreements at TUHH: The Manager of Internationalisation Mrs Nicole Frei/ e-mail: n.frei(at)tuhh(dot)de
Further important information on visa and entry formalities can be found on the homepages of Euraxess; The Hamburg Welcome Portal and Federal Foreign Office.
Accommodation
Finding accommodation in Hamburg, especially for a short period of time can be difficult and expensive as well. We advise you to take care of the searching for accommodation well in time. We can advise you on finding appropriate housing. Please contact: rooms(at)tuhh(dot)de and check the pdf list with housing offers in Hamburg for guest reserachers on the website of accommodation service.
Health Insurance
Health insurance for you stay in Germany is mandatory.
Please contact your insurance company to check whether your existing health insurance covers treatment costs in Germany (this usually applies for EU citizens). If your existing insurance does not cover treatment costs in Germany, you either need to extend it or take out an additional insurance for the time of your stay in Germany. As a rule, guest researchers have to have private health insurance. More information and links to various private insurance providers can be found at Euraxess Germany, the Alexander-von-Humboldt Foundation's information and DAAD advice portal for international researchers. Please note that the travel insurances are usually not covering the real costs of the medical treatment in Germany needed in the case of accident or illness.
