DRAFT Guest researchers
Information for guest researchers and professors interested in inviting guest researchers
German versionEach year, Technical University of Applied Sciences of Wildau (TH Wildau) has the privilege of hosting international guest researchers from around the world. These visits are arranged on an individual basis between an individual TH Wildau faculty member as host and the guest researcher. If you wish to join our academic community for the purpose of research, we invite you to explore our website to identify a suitable academic partner (a professor whose research interests align with your own) and to initiate contact accordingly. We suggest you have a look at our research fields and their members.
Please note, supervisors must be sought out by guests themselves. Regrettably, the International Office team cannot handle this task.
If both parties express mutual interest, you should then proceed to fill out both of the documents that you will find on the right side of this webpage as PDF downloads and send them to the International Office via e-mail to incoming(at)th-wildau.de. One of the documents must be filled out by the inviting professor of TH Wildau, while the other must be filled out by the guest researcher (as indicated in the file's name).
After this step has been completed, you shall now proceed to collect the rest of the documents required and send them to the same e-mail address as soon as possible (please see the first section of this webpage called "document submission").
We will be happy to assist you with advice and support to make your stay as pleasant as possible.
Information for guest researchers
Step 1: Prior to arrival
There are several matters that should be taken care of when preparing your upcoming stay in Germany. Especially bureaucratic matters. From the place you will stay to all the documentation that must be handled. We recommend starting to plan your stay in Germany one year in advance. Things might seem confusing in the beginning. Let's break it down!
Document submission (guest researchers and inviting professors)Open areaClose area
The International Office should receive a contact information form from the guest researcher and a registration form from the inviting professor at TH Wildau to incoming(at)th-wildau.de. Those two documents need to be sent as a first step, while the rest of them can be sent afterwards. On the right side of this webpage, you will be able to access both forms as well as our contact information.
As a summary, we require the following documents:
- Passport copy
- Biometric photo
- Registration form (to be filled by professors at TH Wildau)
- Contact information form (to be filled by guest researchers)
If you plan to travel with your partner or kids, we will also require their passport copies.
Please send the documents as soon as possible before the start of your stay. Afterwards, the International Office team will take care of issuing your invitation letter for the process of your visa application (if necessary).
Health InsuranceOpen areaClose area
Health insurance is mandatory for all residents in Germany, irrespective of the need for a visa.
Please make sure you have sufficient health insurance. Your insurance will depend on your personal situation in Germany (e.g. entering a work contract with TH Wildau, recipient of a scholarship, etc). Please contact us we will happy to advise you.
Statutory health insurance providers:
- Techniker Krankenkasse (Counseling centre on campus)
- Barmer
Other private health insurances:
Visa preparations (non-European staff)Open areaClose area
In general, a visa is only required for non-EU staff. Please check with the respective German authorities in your country and make sure you apply for the right type of visa for your stay. You might also check the website of the Federal Foreign Office for more details on this.
Depending on the situation in your home country, your visa application process might differ in length. Please make sure you check your situation on time before starting the process.
If you need a visa, we will provide you with an invitation letter after having received the required forms from you and the inviting professor. If other family members will be traveling to Germany, please make sure you add this into the registration form and include them in the visa application process.
Securing accomodationOpen areaClose area
Mind that, since you won't hold a student status here, you are not eligible for a student dorm in our residence halls. German universities don't provide accommodation specifically for guest researchers, so make sure you secure accommodation by yourself in a timely manner. We recommend starting to search as soon as possible. Please check with the International Office for further possible accommodation references.
Family ServicesOpen areaClose area
TH Wildau offers several options for visiting researchers traveling with family members or children. You can check our website. The International Office team can support you when establishing contact with the day-care providers. There are several options:
Campus-kita
- 28 childcare places available for children of students and employees of TH Wildau.
- Children aged 8 weeks to school age are cared for in 3 large rooms.
- Registration through website of Kitawelt GmBH (Guidance through our team since website and initial meeting with daycare afterwards are only in German)
Childcare “Campulino“
- Children aged 0–3 years.
- Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- If interested, write an email to Franziska Kieslichand the International Office, ideally half a year to a year in advance.
- The costs vary depending on the package of services.
Parent-child area
(Haus 13, Room 010)
- Someone can look after your child while you work on campus. (Free of charge)
- Children aged 1-8
- Weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Registration up to 2 days in advance through the form on their website (form is only accessible via the German page but it is available in English)
- Rest, breastfeeding and diapering area as well as play corner for the little ones.
Municipal Daycare Centers: Only for residents of Wildau
• Kita am Markt: Municipal daycare center
• Kita Zwerge
• New Awo Daycare Center: (Lidl)
Transportation: DeutschlandticketOpen areaClose area
If you plan to use transportation regularly, it might be convenient for you to consider getting a monthly subscription to the Deutschlandticket. With this ticket you will be able to access public local transportation all across Germany: all types of trains except high speed trains and buses. You can book it here for your stay.
Step 2: After arrival
Once you have arrived in Germany, there is a couple of things you have to be aware of. Procedures such as registration in the city or payment of broadcasting fees are some of the things that usually differ from other countries. But there is no need to worry, we will walk you through the process!
First day at TH WildauOpen areaClose area
- Come to the International Office to get a warm welcome from TH Wildau!
Our staff will provide you with your card and credentials to access all of the resources you will need during this time. You will also receive important information regarding university services and other external matters concerning daily life in Germany.
Registration in the cityOpen areaClose area
After your arrival, every person that enters the country is required to register within the first 14 days after entering the country. This is very important because the certificate you receive afterwards (Meldebescheiningung) is required to open a bank account or to complete the residence permit. Registration is free of charge.
You will need the following for registration:
- Passport or identity card
- Tenancy agreement
You are required to register in the town you live in:
Town Hall Wildau
Karl-Marx-Straße 36
15745 Wildau
You can book an appointment here.
Town Hall Königs Wusterhausen
Schloßstraße 3
15711 Königs Wusterhausen
You can book an appointment here.
Berlin
If you live in Berlin, you can find the relevant registration office on the Internet.
Residence permit (non-EU citizen staying longer than 90 days)Open areaClose area
For stays lasting more than 90 days, non-EU citizens are typically required to apply to the Immigration Office of their area for a residence permit.
If you need further assistance, feel free to contact the International Office team.
Bank Account (if desired)Open areaClose area
General required documents:
- Valid passport
- Registration certificate showing a German address (Meldebescheinigung)
Helpful: Letter from TH Wildau confirming that your stay will last longer than 3 months (letter of invitation).
Broadcasting feeOpen areaClose area
When you rent a flat or room in Germany, you are required to pay the "Rundfunkbeitrag" or broadcasting fee. This fee is required to be paid by every household and it is meant to support public broadcasting in Germany, regardless of whether you use public media services (TV, social media, radio, etc.) or not.
The broadcasting licence fee consist of a fixed amount per month per household. It can be split between household members if you are living in a shared flat. Make sure to check with the property owner whether the broadcasting licence fee is included in your rent or not.
Regardless of whether the fee is included or not, you are required to register for the broadcasting licence fee as an individual once you move in and deregister before leaving the country. You can do this here.
If you have further questions you can have a look at the broadcasting licence fee website.
Language CoursesOpen areaClose area
As a guest researcher you have the possibility to join our German courses free of charge. You can find more information about the registration for it here.
Step 3: Before leaving
Your stay has come to an end. You have had a fruitful time here and everything worked out smoothly. Now an important question arises: what are the remaining tasks that should be dealt with before leaving Germany? We provide a small checklist for you to make sure that your departure goes off without a hitch.
Checklist of terminationsOpen areaClose area
At the end of your stay, you need to make sure all your contracts are finished:
- Termination of bank contract.
- Termination of rental contract.
- Deregistration from the Citizen's Registration Office (very important as the broadcasting fee runs as long as you are registered).
As a guest researcher, there is no need for you to return your TH Wildau card.
