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INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AFFAIRS
Application and Registration Guide Overseas Exchange and Short-Term Studies
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Content International Office .......................................................................................................................... 3
International Student Affairs ..................................................................................................... 4
Application and Admission .............................................................................................................. 5
Accommodation in Siegen .............................................................................................................. 7
Residence Halls ....................................................................................................................... 8
Private Accommodation ........................................................................................................... 9
Pre-Arrival Information .................................................................................................................. 11
Finances ................................................................................................................................ 12
Entry and Visa Regulations .................................................................................................... 13
Registration ............................................................................................................................ 15
In-Person Registration Checklist ............................................................................................ 16
Insurance Coverage in Germany ............................................................................................ 17
Currency and Bank Account ................................................................................................... 19
Pre-Arrival Checklist ............................................................................................................... 22
First Days in Siegen ...................................................................................................................... 23
Orientation Weeks.................................................................................................................. 24
Registration with Authorities ................................................................................................... 25
After Arrival Checklist ............................................................................................................. 27
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International Office
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International Student Affairs Department and Contact Information
The Department of International Student Affairs (ISA) welcomes and supports international degree and non-
degree students, coordinates student and staff exchanges, programs and scholarships, and maintains
partnerships with universities worldwide. You find us on Adolf-Reichwein-Campus in the Student Service
Center (SSC).
Our Team Christine Müller Head of Department
room: AR-SSC 118 e-mail: [email protected] phone: +49 (0) 271/740-3907
Nathalie Bourin-Budig Information and Support for Incoming Erasmus Students
room: AR-SSC 111 e-mail: [email protected] phone: +49 (0) 271/740-3905
Eva Grottschreiber Costumized Programs for Chinese Students Information and Support for International Degree Students STIBET-Scholarships for Final Stage of Studies
room: AR-SSC 119 e-mail: [email protected] phone: +49 (0) 271/740-3916
Susanne Engelmann
Coordination of Overseas Exchanges and Study Abroad Information and Support for international and Siegen exchange students PROMOS-Scholarships
room AR-SSC 122 e-mail: [email protected] phone: +49 (0) 271/740-2004
Andree Klann Erasmus+ Coordinator Information and Support for Outgoing Erasmus Students and Staff Mobility
room: AR-SSC 123 e-mail: [email protected] phone: +49 (0) 271/740-3909
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Application and Admission
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Online Application for Exchange Students Requirements, Documents and Procedure
Students from our partner universities can apply for one semester or an academic year at the University of
Siegen. Applications for winter semester (October - March) and/or summer semester (April - September) are
possible.
Students should be of good standing and need to present evidence of their language proficiency in English
and/or German equivalent to B2 according to the Common European Frame of Reference (CEFR). Studies
in German Literature or Linguistics require a language certificate for German language proficiency.
Exchange students are selected and nominated by our partner universities. Once you are nominated you
receive further instructions by e-mail as well as information on how to apply via moveon.
Application Documents
The online application requires the following documents (pdf only):
Application Form,
CV (German or English),
Letter of Motivation (German and/or English) including a preliminary study plan,
Preliminary Study Plan,
Transcript of Records,
Language Certificate (German and/or English),
Passport Copy,
Passport-Sized Photo.
A list of language requirements for the respective fields of study, guidelines for letters of motivation as well
as a template for your preliminary study plan are provided on our web page for overseas exchanges and
short-term studies. For further information on course catalogue and course selection see chapter Study in
Siegen.
Application Deadlines
For exchange students starting in winter semester 30 April
For exchange students starting in summer semester 31 October
Admission
All complete applications are reviewed and sent to the respective faculty if applicable. If you meet the
entrance requirements, an offer of admission is sent to your home university within six weeks after
application deadline. You will receive a digital copy of your offer of admission by e-mail.
Scholarships
We provide STIBET scholarships funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for
international exchange students from our partner universities. Depending on the funds allocated to the
University of Siegen, monthly stipend and duration may vary from year to year. In winter semester 2017/18
one applicant per participating partner university was awarded a four-month scholarship of approx. 260 EUR
per month.
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Accommodation in Siegen
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Residence Halls Application and Contact
In Germany you are not automatically allocated a room when receiving a study place. You must apply for
housing independently.
Please note that the University of Siegen does not provide residence halls or student apartments. The
centralized property manager of the residence halls in Siegen is the Student Services Organization Siegen
(Studierendenwerk Siegen).
Residence Halls of the Student Services Organization Siegen (Studierendenwerk Siegen)
Rooms in the residence halls of the Student Services Organization Siegen (Studierendenwerk Siegen) are
very popular. They are in close proximity to the university and comparably cheap. However, spots are limited
and at times there are long waiting periods. The average monthly rent for a room ranges between EUR 215
and EUR 375, plus a deposit, equivalent to two-month rent. Rooms are furnished. Dishware, cookware and
bedding are not provided.
We recommend that you apply for accommodation as soon as you receive your offer of admission. Student
status and registration in Siegen are required once you sign the rental agreement.
Please note that interns who are not registered as students of the University of Siegen do not have any claim
to a room in a residence hall.
Contact
Student Services Organization Siegen (Studierendenwerk Siegen)
Ms Anna Wagener Hölderlinstr. 3 57076 Siegen phone: +49 (0) 271 740-4841 e-mail: [email protected] http://www.studierendenwerk-siegen.de/internationales/kontakt/
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Private Accommodation Private Residence Halls and (Shared) Apartments Private Residence Halls
Apart from residence halls provided by the Student Services Organization Siegen (Studierendenwerk
Siegen) there are privately owned residence halls as well.
Contact
City Campus Siegen
KSG mbH Siegen Sankt-Johann-Straße 27 57074 Siegen
phone: +49 (0)171 5410538 e-mail: [email protected] www.city-campus-siegen.de
Studentenwohnanlage Am Oberen Schloss
Burgstraße 18, 20 57072 Siegen phone: +49 (0)271 56370 e-mail: [email protected] www.studis-oberstadt.com
Private Accommodation
On the private commercial market you can find flats, apartments, or a room in a flat-sharing-community. Flat-
sharing-communities are very popular, since the inhabitants share the cost of the rent. Generally, everyone
has his or her own room, while bath and kitchen are shared. Rooms or apartments can be rented either
furnished or empty.
The Student Service Organization (Studierendenwerk Siegen) provides a list of rooms for rent usually in
shared apartments.
The city of Siegen also offers a list of real estate companies who rent out apartments in various locations
throughout the city.
The classified ads in local newspapers, as well as free weekly notice papers, also contain offers for
apartments.
Siegerländer Wochenanzeiger
Siegerlandkurier
Siegener Zeitung
Westfalenpost
Westfälische Rundschau
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Shared Apartments
There are several web pages where rooms in shared apartments are offered to students in particular:
www.studenten-wg.de
www.zwischenmiete.de
www.mitwohnzentrale.de
www.immowelt.de
www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de
Rooms in apartments outside the city center are usually cheaper. Most of the surrounding areas are easily
reachable by bus and train. Make sure to check the bus and train connection to both city and your campus
before you apply.
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Pre-Arrival Information
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Finances Semester Fee and Cost of Living Semester Fee
International Students are not charged tuition fees at the University of Siegen. However, a semester fee has
to be paid at the beginning of each semester of exchange as a part of (re-)registration. International
freshmen pay the semester fee for their first semester of stay in cash during Orientation Days.
The semester fee for winter semester 2017/18 amounts to EUR 254.18 EUR and includes the following
Student Ticket (including NRW-Ticket) EUR 150.18
Solidarity Fee EUR 3.50
Social Contribution Fee EUR 90.50
AStA Contribution: EUR 10.00 Students who register their main residence in Siegen receive a one-time refund for their semester ticket by the city of Siegen. Cost of Living
We advise students to prepare for monthly cost of living of approx. EUR 700 – 800. According to the
German Academic Exchange Service monthly cost of living for international students in Germany amounts to
approx. EUR 800*
Rent and Utilities EUR 200 – 300
Food EUR 165
Clothing EUR 42
Public Transportation EUR 94
Health Insurance, Medication EUR 80
Learning Materials EUR 20
Phone, Internet, TV EUR 33
Recreation, Culture, Sports EUR 61
*Amounts are estimates per semester and may vary by year or according to lifestyle and spending habit.
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Entry and Visa Regulations Visa Exemptions, Visa Requirements and Students planning to study in Germany need to obtain a valid residence permit for studies. Evidence of a
valid residence permit is required for registration at the University of Siegen. Students holding a tourist or
business visa are not allowed to register at the University of Siegen.
Visa Exemptions
International students from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El
Salvador, Israel, Japan, the Republic of South Korea, Mexico, Singapore and the United States of
America are allowed to travel to the Federal Republic of Germany for up to 90 days without having to obtain
a visa. A full list of visa requirements and exemptions is provided by the Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges
Amt)
Within this 90-days period students who wish to study in Germany have to apply for a residence permit at the
foreigners’ registration office (Ausländerbehörde) responsible for their place of residence. Students from
countries listed above are allowed to register in person at the University of Siegen upon presentation of a
valid passport even before applying for a residence permit.
Visa Requirements
Students from countries that require a visa for Germany have to submit their visa applications as well as
all required documents in person at the German mission responsible for their place of residence in their
home country. A full list of visa requirements and exemptions is provided by the Federal Foreign Office
(Auswärtiges Amt)
A visa application requires a letter of admission or a confirmation of application issued by the University of
Siegen as well as a proof of finances covering your duration of study. Please refer to the website of the
Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) and the German mission closest to you for further information.
Directive 2016/801/EU
For non-EU students who are already registered at an institution of higher education in another EU member state and wish to study for one semester or an academic year in Germany, rules on mobility have been eased. A directive will be transposed until 23 May 2018.
If you have already been issued with a residence title under the directive on conditions of entry and residence (Directive 2016/801/EU) in another EU member state, you may come to Germany and study here without applying for a German residence title. This is contingent on residence for the purpose of studying being for a maximum of 360 days.
In order to be able to exercise mobility in Germany, the host higher education institution in Germany needs to send a notification to the National Contact Point at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
If a student is to come to Germany within the mobility mechanism, the host higher education institution needs to send an appropriate notification to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. The following documents are required:
notification form the residence permit issued by the first EU Member State, a recognized, valid passport/replacement passport,
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evidence of participation in a Union or multilateral program incorporating mobility measures and of the validity of an agreement between two or more higher education institutions,
proof of admission to the host higher education institution, and proof of subsistence.
Since the directive does not have to be transposed until 23 May 2018, many Member States are not yet issuing any residence titles under the directive. Mobility is not possible in such cases; a normal residence permit for the purpose of studying will have to be applied for in these cases.
Please check with the authorities of the first EU member state, if the directive has already been transposed. For further information visit Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamts für Migration und Flüchtlinge - BAMF). Overviews and exception regulations will be published until May 2018.
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Registration Online Pre-Registration and In-Person Registration At the University of Siegen the registration consists of two parts, the online pre-registration and the in-person
registration. By pre-registering online you accept your offer of admission and request registration upon arrival
in Siegen. Once you register in person you become a full-time non-degree student at the University of
Siegen.
Online Pre-Registration
To confirm your offer of admission, you must pre-register using unisono. Information on deadlines and web
pages are included in the offer of admission. Please note the deadlines for pre-registration!
To complete the online pre-registration, create a user account and fill in the online form, including personal
details, your academic history and information on your planned studies in Siegen. Make sure to select
Abschluss im Ausland (Degree Abroad) and select a field of study equivalent to your study program at
your home university. Submit your form online, print the Antrag auf Einschreibung (Request for
Registration), and sign it. A digital copy of the signed request (not the data control sheet) must be sent to
the Department for International Student Affairs via e-mail. The signed hard copy has to be presented
during in-person registration after your arrival in Siegen.
In-Person Registration
Exchange students register in person on Adolf Reichwein Campus. During our Orientation Days we help
you prepare the in-person registration and guide you through the process, including payment of the
semester fee and the confirmation of or exemption from public health insurance. Further information on
required documents are included in our In-Person Registration Check List.
Please note that students who do not participate in our Orientation Days need to prepare the required
documents as given in our In-Person Registration Check List and register in person at the Registrar’s Office
for International Students (Department STARTING).
Once you register in person, you receive student ID and student ticket (semester ticket) as well as your user
data for your student account.
Contact
Department for International Student Affairs: Overseas Exchange and Study Abroad
Susanne Engelmann
Raum: AR-SSC 122 E-Mail: [email protected] Tel. 0271/740-2004
Department STARTING: Registrar’s Office for International Students
Judith Düber
Raum: AR-SSC 001 E-Mail: [email protected] Tel.: 0271/740-3418
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In-Person Registration Checklist
Letter of Admission
Once you are accepted, the offer of admission is sent to your home university. A digital copy is
send to your email address. We will prepare a copy for students who participate in our Orientation
Days and register on Registration Day.
Students who do not attend Registration Day need to present either the original or a hard copy of
the offer of admission during in-person registration at the Registrar’s Office for International
Students.
Request for In-Person Registration
The copy of your online pre-registration is referred to as request for registration. We will prepare a
copy for students who participate in our Orientation Days and register on Registration Day.
Students who do not attend Registration Day need to present either the original or a hard copy of
the request during in-person registration at the Registrar’s Office for International Students.
Confirmation of Health Insurance or Confirmed Exemption from Public Health Insurance
Students wishing to register at an institution of higher education in Germany have to provide
evidence of sufficient health insurance. An adequate health insurance can be taken out abroad or
in Germany. Public German health insurance companies issue a confirmation of an existing and
valid health insurance or a confirmation of a sufficient private health insurance, i.e. an exemption
from mandatory public health insurance.
We will arrange an appointment with a health insurance provider on campus for students who
need an exemption from public health insurance.
Students who do not attend Registration Day need to contact an insurance company in Siegen or
Weidenau to receive an exemption if necessary and hand it in during in-person registration at the
Registrar’s Office for International Students.
Receipt for Payment of Semester Fee
The semester fee amounts to approx. EUR 250. International exchange students pay the
semester fee for their first semester of stay in cash at our cashier’s office on Registration Day.
Students who do not attend our Orientation Days need to pay the semester fee in cash at the
cashier’s office is located on Adolf Reichwein Campus in building NA, room 121 (AR-NA121) and
opens Monday to Thursday from 9.00am to 11.00am and present the receipt during in-person
registration at the Registrar’s Office for International Students.
Semester Address
Make sure to take a note of your address! Your full address should include street, house number,
zip code, and town, as well as residence hall and room number, if applicable. If you live with a
relative or friend and your name is not on the mailbox, add c/o and the name of the person you
are staying with.
Passport Copy
We will prepare a copy for students who participate in our Orientation Days.
Students who do not attend Registration Day need to present their valid passport during in-person
registration at the Registrar’s Office for International Students.
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Insurance Coverage in Germany Health Insurance and Liability Insurance Health Insurance
In Germany sufficient health care coverage is compulsory for all students. This also applies to international
exchange students wishing to study at a German university for a duration of one or two semesters: You need
to provide evidence of sufficient health care insurance to register in Siegen. The health care insurance policy
can be taken out in your home country or in Germany. Since not all foreign health insurances are recognized
in Germany, please check if your insurance policy meets the requirements!
Germany has social insurance agreements with member states of the European Union and countries of the
European Economic Area. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is valid in Germany. Please contact
your health insurance provider for further information.
Private domestic and foreign health insurance policies from other countries are sometimes also recognized
in Germany. Please contact your health insurance provider for further information before you travel to
Germany!
If your health care insurance policy is recognized in Germany, you will need a confirmation that you are
exempted from public health insurance to register at the University of Siegen. This confirmation can be
issued after your arrival in Germany by any public health insurance company in Siegen or Weidenau.
Contact a public health insurance company in Siegen and produce the certificate of your medical coverage.
Please note that once this confirmation is issued you will not be allowed to take out a public insurance for the
duration of your studies in Germany.
If your health insurance policy is not recognized in Germany, you need to take out a German health
insurance after your arrival. The public health insurance companies in Germany are obliged to provide
discounted student rates for students who have not reached the age of 30 and have not completed their 14th
semester. You can sign up for public health insurance from any public health insurance company in
Germany. They generally charge a standard fee for student health and nursing insurance. The membership
fee is currently about EUR 80 per month. The health insurance provider will issue you a certificate on the
German insurance coverage, which you need to submit during registration.
Students who are over 30 years of age or have been studying for more than 14 semesters during their period
of study in Germany can maintain their statutory insurance, but at a higher rate. Students who are over the
age of 29 when starting their studies can only obtain private insurance.
Health Insurance Providers in Siegen and Siegen-Weidenau
AOK Nordwest
Frankfurter Str. 2, 57074 Siegen
Poststr.17, 57076 Siegen-Weidenau
Adolf Reichwein Campus, AR-HB
Barmer GEK St.-Johann-Str. 23, 57074 Siegen
DAK-Gesundheit Koblenzer Str. 40, 57072 Siegen
IKK Löhrtor 10-12, 57072 Siegen
TK Techniker Krankenkasse Sandstr.31, 57072 Siegen
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Liability Insurance
We strongly suggest that you take out a liability insurance as well. The liability insurance covers damages
you cause, for example damage to another person caused in an accident.
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Currency and Bank Account Euros, Banks and ATMs Germany is part of the Eurozone that binds 19 European countries into the common currency. Contact your
bank for information on exchange rates and exchange domestic currency into Euro. Make sure to bring
enough cash to cover your expenses during your first days in Germany (transportation, groceries, small
purchases) or your first rental payment and deposit, if applicable.
Notify your bank of your travel plans and request information on international transactions, ATM withdrawals
and fees, and ATM PIN. You will need a four-digit PIN to withdraw money from a European ATM.
German Bank Account We advise international (exchange) students staying in Germany for more than a few weeks to open a
German bank account to avoid ATM fees. A current account (Girokonto) and debit card (EC-Karte) is usually
free of charge for students under the age of 30 who are registered at a German university.
A current account in Germany allows you to withdraw money free of charge from a number of ATMs in
Germany, to make payments electronically, and to set up standing orders (Daueraufträge) for regular
payments (e.g. for housing, health insurance, phone/internet). If you take a part-time job in Germany, you will
need a current account to receive your pay.
When choosing a German bank, you should consider the distance of the branch to your residence or campus
and the number of ATMs provided in the city region. Students, who plan to change their residence after their
semester in Siegen, for example to start an internship elsewhere, might prefer to choose a national rather
than a regional bank. This way you will not have to open a new account when moving to another city in
Germany.
To open a bank account in Germany you usually need to present your passport or personal identification
card, your student ID, your registration certificate, or even a confirmation of registration issued by the
Residence Registration Office (Bürgerbüro) or the Foreigners Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde). The
required documents may vary depending on the respective bank or branch you choose.
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Transportation Airport and Public Transportation
Regional Train Connections There are three railroad lines to Siegen: Essen – Hagen – Siegen (Weidenau), Cologne – Siegen, and
Frankfurt – Giessen – Siegen. There are two ways to buy train tickets: at the station (counter or ticket
machine) or online in advance. For payment options, departure times and train arrivals visit Deutsche Bahn.
Long Distance Bus Services
Apart from trains there are several long distance bus services usually leaving from or close to regional
airports and/or train stations. Ticket prices may vary depending on provider, day of the week, and spots
available.
The bus stop in Siegen is located close to the Siegen train station at Koblenzer Str. 43. Check the list of
Long Distance Bus Services or online comparison portals such as busliniensuche, fernbusse.de, or
checkmybus for further information.
Local Bus Services
Local buses offer a frequent and convenient way to travel to all campuses of the University of Siegen.
Different services connect to our campuses in Siegen and Weidenau. Buses only stop at designated bus
stops, they do not stop on request between bus stops.
Before you receive your semester ticket, you buy a ticket from the driver (one way fare, one or seven day
pass). Information on schedules, routes, and bus stops are provided by VWS and VGWS. A university bus
app (USi Bus) is available for android, iOS and Windows Phone.
Check your campus and choose the route accordingly. Adolf Reichwein Campus (AR), Hölderlin Campus (H)
and Paul Bonatz Campus (PB) are located in Siegen Weidenau (Haardter Berg). The Language Center is at
the foot of the hill on Weidenauer Str/Brückenstraße (WS). Emmy Noether Campus (ENC) is located in
Siegen (Fischbacher Berg) and the new campus Unteres Schloss (US) is close to Siegen city center and the
main train station. Campus Maps are available online.
Three bus lines connecting Siegen bus station (Siegen ZOB) or Weidenau bus station (Weidenau ZOB) and
the campuses during lecture period and lecture-free period:
C106: Siegen ZOB – Engsbachstr.– Weidenau ZOB – AR (Adolf-Reichwein-Str.)
AR (Adolf-Reichwein-Str.) – Weidenau ZOB – Engsbachstr. – Siegen ZOB
C111: Siegen ZOB – Weidenau ZOB – AR (Universität Robert-Schuhmann-Str.)
AR (Universität Robert-Schuhmann-Str.) – Weidenau ZOB– Siegen ZOB
C111: Siegen ZOB – ENC
ENC – Siegen ZOB
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During lecture period there are additional university express lines:
UX1: Siegen ZOB – AR (Adolf-Reichwein-Str.)
AR (Adolf-Reichwein-Str.) – Siegen ZOB
UX2: Weidenau ZOB – AR (Adolf-Reichwein-Str.)
AR (Adolf-Reichwein-Str.) – Weidenau ZOB
UX4: ENC – WS (Brückenstraße) – H – AR (Robert-Schumann-Str.)
AR (Robert-Schumann-Str.) – H– WS (Brückenstraße) - ENC
UX5: Langholdinghausen – H – AR (Robert-Schumann-Str.)
AR (Robert-Schumann-Str.) – H – Langholdinghausen
UX6: Siegen ZOB – US (Kölner Tor) – WS (Brückenstraße) – H – AR (Robert-Schumann-Str.) AR (Robert-Schumann-Str.) – H – WS (Brückenstraße) – US (Kölner Tor) – Siegen ZOB
How to get to Siegen
Students arriving by plane at Frankfurt airport - FRA (Flughafen Frankfurt am Main) take the city train (S-
Bahn) to Frankfurt main station (Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof) leaving from the station in Terminal 1. From
Frankfurt main station there are regular train services to Siegen. Please note that a change of trains might be
required in Giessen (Gießen).
There are also long distance buses leaving from Frankfurt airport and Frankfurt main station to Siegen.
Students arriving at the airport in Cologne/Bonn - CGN take a regional train to Troisdorf or Cologne main
station (Köln Hauptbahnhof) and change trains to Siegen.
There are also long distance buses leaving from airport Cologne/Bonn and Cologne main station to Siegen.
Students arriving at Dusseldorf airport DUS (Flughafen Düsseldorf) take a train to Hagen or Cologne main
station (Köln Hauptbahnhof) and change trains to Siegen.
There are also long distance buses leaving from Dusseldorf airport and Dusseldorf main station to Siegen.
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Pre-Arrival Checklist
Visa Application
Make sure to apply for your visa as early as possible. For further information on visa requirements and procedures visit the web pages of the Federal Foreign Office and the German mission closest to you.
Application for Accommodation
Once you receive your offer of admission, contact the Student Services Organization Siegen
(Studierendenwerk Siegen), apply for student housing and inform us about your semester address.
If you have problems finding a room or apartment in Siegen, contact us immediately.
Health Insurance
Contact your health insurance provider for information on sufficient health insurance for Germany. Take out an insurance for your studies abroad or gather information on German health insurance providers and policies for international students.
Pre-Registration
Approx. 6 to 8 weeks prior to semester start unisono opens for online pre-registrations. Dates and
deadlines will be included in your admission letter. Print the request for registration (not the data
control sheet) and send us a copy of the signed request by e-mail.
Date of Arrival
Check the schedules of the orientation weeks and make travel arrangements. Inform us about your date of arrival.
Registration for Intensive German Language Course
The Language Center offers a free three-week intensive language course for students registering in
winter semester. You receive a registration form by e-mail.
Passport Copies and biometrical Passport Photo
You might need 2-3 copies of your passport when registering with authorities in Germany. Students
holding a 90-days-visa need a biometric passport photo to apply for a residence permit in Siegen.
Registration Documents
Prepare the documents required for registration. Use the check list for in-person registration.
Euro and International Debit/Credit Cards
Contact your bank for information on exchange rates, international transactions, ATM withdrawals
and fees as well as an ATM PIN. Exchange domestic currency into Euro to cover your expenses
during your first days in Germany.
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First Days in Siegen
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Orientation Weeks Orientation Days and Welcome Week The Department for International Student Affairs and the faculties offer orientation weeks for freshmen
around the start of each semester. The orientation weeks will help you to get to know university and campus
and to prepare for your studies in Siegen. We strongly advice our international exchange and short-term
students to participate.
Orientation Days
Before lectures start, the Department of International Student Affairs offers orientation days for international
exchange and short-term students. Dates are included in your offer of admission and published on our
website for exchange and short-term students. During orientation days we help you prepare for registration
at the university and with local authorities, provide information on faculties, course offerings, student services
and campus life. Social events are organized by our student groups Erasmus Student Network Siegen (ESN
Siegen) and International Students in Siegen (INS2).
For students starting their studies in winter semester the Department of International Student Affairs offers
a Orientation Days in early September for participants of the intensive German language course and in early
October for students arriving before lectures start.
In summer semester Orientation Days takes place in early April before lectures start.
Welcome Week
The welcome week (Erstsemestereinführung – ESE) is organized by student representatives at the
beginning of the academic year in winter semester, when degree programs start. Students of the respective
faculties and departments introduce national and international students to faculty and campus life. Usually
the welcome week takes place before lectures start.
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Registration with Authorities Residence Registration Office and Foreigners Registration Office Exchange students need to register with the Residence Registration Office (Bürgerbüro) as well as the
Foreigners Registration Office. The registration procedures differ depending on the visa you hold and your
place of residence.
Visa for the Entire Duration of Stay
Students holding a visa for the entire duration of stay need to follow the steps below for residence in Siegen
or outside the city region:
Residence in Siegen (City Region) (Siegen, Weidenau, Geisweid, Eiserfeld)
Residence Outside the City Region (Netphen, Kreuztal, etc.)
Foreigners Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde)
Residence Registration Office (Bürgerbüro)
If you live in Siegen, you need to register with the Foreigners‘ Registration Office.
Rathaus Siegen Markt 2, 57072 Siegen Tel. 0271/ 404-0
You do not need an appointment for your first visit. However, groups of students should notify the Ausländerbehörde.
Required Documents: Passport 2 Copies of Your Passport
If you live outside the city region, you need to register with your Residence Registration Office within two weeks after your arrival. The office is usually located in or close to the townhall.
Required Documents: Passport Lease/ Rental Agreement Wohnungsgeberbestätigung
(signed by landlord or landlady)
Residence Registration Office (Bürgerbüro)
Foreigners Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde)
After your visit to the foreigners‘ registration office, you need to register as a Siegen citizen at the
Residence Registration Office in Siegen, Weidenau, Geisweid or Eiserfeld within two weeks after your arrival.
Required Documents: Passport Lease/ Rental Agreement Wohnungsgeberbestätigung
(signed by landlord or landlady) Registration Form (available on site)
After your visit to the Residence Registration Office, you need to make an appointment with the District Foreigners‘ Registration Office.
Kreisverwaltung Koblenzer Straße 73, 57072 Siegen Tel. 0271/ 333-1260
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90-Days-Visa
Students holding a 90-days-visa need to follow the steps below for residence in or outside the city region.
Residence in Siegen (City Region) (Siegen, Weidenau, Geisweid, Eiserfeld)
Residence Outside the City Region (Netphen, Kreuztal, etc.)
Foreigners Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde)
Residence Registration Office (Bürgerbüro)
If you live in Siegen, you need to register with the Foreigners‘ Registration Office and make an appointment for your application for a residence permit
Rathaus Siegen Markt 2, 57072 Siegen Tel. 0271/ 404-0
Required Documents: Passport 2 copies of your passport Application for Residence Permit
(available on site)
If you live outside the city region, you need to register with your Residence Registration Office within two weeks after your arrival. The office is usually located in or close to the townhall.
Required Documents: Passport Lease/ Rental Agreement Wohnungsgeberbestätigung
(signed by landlord or landlady)
Residence Registration Office (Bürgerbüro)
Foreigners Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde)
After your visit to the foreigners‘ registration office, you need to register as a Siegen citizen at the Residence Registration Office within two weeks after your arrival.
Required Documents: Passport Lease/ Rental Agreement Wohnungsgeberbestätigung
(signed by landlord or landlady) Registration Form (available on site)
After your visit to the Residence Registration Office, you need to make an appointment with the District Foreigners‘ Registration Office.
Kreisverwaltung Koblenzer Straße 73, 57072 Siegen Tel. 0271/ 333-1260
Foreigners Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde)
Foreigners Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde)
Keep your appointment with the Foreigners’ Registration Office and apply for your residence permit.
Required Documents: Passport Confirmation of Health Insurance Coverage Passport-sized, BIOMETRICAL photo proof of sufficient funds registration certificate EUR 110
Keep your appointment with the Foreigners’ Registration Office and apply for your residence permit.
Required Documents: Passport Confirmation of Health Insurance Coverage Passport-sized, BIOMETRICAL photo proof of sufficient funds registration certificate EUR 110
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After Arrival Checklist
Health Insurance
If your health insurance is accepted in Germany, a German public health insurance company will
issue a confirmation. If your health insurance is not accepted or if you wish to take out a German
health insurance, contact a German public health insurance provider.
In-Person Registration
In-person registration takes place during the welcome week. Make sure you have the required
documents with you (In-Person Registration Checklist). Once you are registered, you receive
student ID and semester ticket as well as your student account information.
Bank Account
Choose a bank or Sparkasse and prepare the documents required to open a bank account in
Germany. Depending on the bank or Sparkasse branch you might need your passport or personal
identification card, your student ID, your registration certificate, or even a confirmation of
registration issued by the Residence Registration Office (Bürgerbüro) or the Foreigners
Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde).
Residence Registration Office (Bürgerbüro)
Within two weeks after your arrival in Siegen you need to register with the residence registration
office (Bürgerbüro) closest to you. We advise our international students to register their semester
address as primary residence. This way, the city of Siegen will offer a onetime refund of your
semester ticket.
Foreigners Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde)
Students holding a visa that covers their entire duration of stay, need to register with the
Foreigners Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde). Students holding a 90-days-visa need to
apply for a residence permit and submit the required documents.
