You must have your Passport before you leave the country. This can take at least a month, if not longer. So you should take care
of this as soon as you decide to apply to come to Aachen. Besides, it never
really hurts to have a passport. Afterall who knows when you will want to
leave the country? Once you have your passport, you will be able to travel anywhere in Europe.
However you must obtain a Visa to remain in Germany more
than 3 months. A Visa is proof that you are permitted to reside in the
country for the duration of the Visa, and able to apply for a work permit. Go back to the Top.
What you will need to do is contact your local Post office, and ask for
an application for a passport. As part of your passport you will need a passport photo. This photo need
not be color, black-and-white will do, but it must be of the correct size. You will need at least 4 photos. 2 for the passport, and
2 for your Visa.
Here is a list of known places to get your photo taken:
Go back to the Top.
A Visa application can be obtained by the German Embassy located in New York.
Do not work with Washingtion, DC. DC does not take care of Pennyslvania. Go back to the Top.
After obtaining the Visa application, you now have two options. One reason to apply once you have arrived in Germany is because you will
know your address at that point. Something that is required for a Visa when
staying longer than 3 months. The other is, that you may quickly obtain your
Visa once you have arrived in Germany. Go back to the Top.
Go back to the Top.
There is a building next to the Hauptbahnhof(Main Trainstation). Here you
may apply for your Visa, however you must go early in the morning, and I
suggest taking care of it as soon as you get here. If not you have 3 months
before you are considered an illegal alien in Germany. Go back to the Top.
When I applied it was on the 2nd Etage, that is like the 3rd floor in
America. If you want to be sure, ask the Person at the information desk just
as you walk into the Haupteingang. He/She should be able to tell you which
floor to go to. Once you are on the correct floor you will have to look for the room that
your last name(nachname) fits in. For example Adams should be between A and
Baker. With your application and appropriate materials in hand, ask the others
around you if they are waiting. If you don't want to ask then wait a while
before doing anything. See if someone comes out of the room you are waiting
for. Use your head, I'm sure you have plenty of time on your own, but don't
just think that they are going to come out looking for you. :) So when you finally have the nerve to try to go in, first knock on the door,
and then try to open it. If there is already someone sitting in front of the
person behind the desk, then just close the door and wait. When you are able to go into the room, make sure to ask if the person has
the time to see you, or grunt or something and point to your paperwork. :) If you have all of your material with you then you should be fine,
and told some things to do. What you should have been told, was that you would need to go down stairs
to the Ground floor(Erdgeschloss). Once on the Ground floor(E), there is an
area with desks and more people in line. This is where you need to apply to
register with the City of Aachen. After applying with them, then you are given a receipt and you must take that
back to the person that was working on your Visa application. Along with that
slip of paper, you must take an amount of money that I can not remember at the
time. After you have payed and given the individual the paper and money, you will
receive your Visa. On the spot. Simple as that. Go back to the Top.
About your Passport and Visa.
How to apply for your Passport.
How to obtain a Visa Application.
How to apply for a Visa.
What I suggest to use as information for your Visa application.
Where to apply if you wait till you arrive in Aachen.
Finding the office.
About your Passport and Visa.
How to apply for your Passport.
How to obtain a Visa Application.
How to apply for a Visa.
What I suggest to use as information for your Visa application.
Where to apply if you wait till you arrive in Aachen.
Finding the office. :)
Go back to Aachen where you belong.
Go back to the Main page.