Degree-Seeking Students' Guide and Frequently Asked Questions

1. Come to the IO for advice.

2. Bring a letter from your exam office or doctoral studies supervisor indicating the probable end of your studies.

3. make an appointment with the Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde).

4. Take the IO's certificate of studies (Studienbescheinigung) to the Immigration Office.

Go to the IO no later than 2 weeks before your visa runs out.

Please note the news about the electronic residence permits 8strating in autumn 2011). (see right-hand menu for other languages.)

I need to take a break because I am ill or pregnant  or need to raise my child or want to work as an intern or want to study abroad
or have to do my military service

If the break is longer than 6 weeks during the lecture period, please apply for a semester on leave. Fill in the application and submit it at the IO.

In case of illness, the semester on leave can be granted backwards, too, but it must be applied for by the end of this semester.

Deadlines for application are 15 February/August.

Please remember to inform the Immigration Office.

I have failed an exam or think that my courses are too difficult

Please talk to the instructor/examiner  whether you may resit the test. You might have to apply to the Exam Board to give you an extra chance (Härtefallantrag).

Come to the IO. We try to help you find a solution.

Come as early to the IO as possible, not only at the end of term.

I have failed an exam for the last time 

Deadline: 15 January / 15 July

Changes of programme have to be agreed opon with, and brought to the notice of, the Immigration Office. 

My studies have come to an end. What do I have to do?

Fill in the Antrag auf Exmatrikulation (Notice of Leaving), collect all the signatures on the 2nd page and visit the IO, possibly before 15.2. or 15.8. The IO will issue a certificate of attendance. Your Thoska will be valid until the end of term.

Who may help me with the writing of term papers  or preparing an oral talk?

The Writing Workshop. You may also ask your course instructor and your fellow students.

How do I find an internship?

You will have to search for a placement by yourself. Here you may find a couple of offers at Praktikumsbörsen.

Before applying make sure you have prepared a German-style CV and possible German translations of your diplomas.

Please beware of the labour regulations and your visa restrictions(see below). You might have to take out an extra liabilty insurance.

Who will translate my documents?

Contact a translation agency (Übersetzungsbüro). Professional translations may be more costly, but they are always better.

Who will certify my documents officially?

The IO must not officially certify documents.

Instead you should turn to the Bürgerbüro or the Deutsche Renten­versicherung. Tip: bring the original and several (good) copies. The fee for the certification is 2.50€ per page. Apostilles are isued by the Landesverwaltungsamt Weimar .

Who needs my new address?

Having moved house you need to inform the follwing institutions within 7 days: Bürgerbüro (here is the form for it), International Office (form), bank, health insurance. 

NB: You do not have to inform the Immigration Office, unless you move from town to town.

1. Ask the Thoska Office if it has been found. Ask them to invalidate it to prevent abuse.

2. Get a temporary ID at the International Office. Bring your passport.

3. Ask again at the Thoska Office. If the card has not ben found after one week, apply for a new Thoska. 

My question:

Are there any doctors who speak English?

Here is a List of English-Speaking Doctors in Jena.

Where can I find a job?

Jobs are offered at job fairs, at the Job Centre (Arbeitsagentur) or at the Infotake of the Studentenwerk. However, you will find that jobs are very scarce in Jena.

EU citizens (except Bulgarians and Romanians) do not need a work permit. Everybody else needs a work permit if they wish to work more than 90 days per year (8 hrs a day). If you are emploeyed at the university or library (as a Hiwi) it does not count into the 90 days period. 

I need money to go on with my studies. 

Please come to the IO or the Studentenwerk for advice.

You should not apply with the German State for subsidies such as Wohngeld or Sozialhilfe. This will tell the authorities that you do not have sufficient means to finance your stay and will jeopardize your visa.

What can I do if I feel lonely

Do not wait for others to sepak to you; turn to them, ask them to drink coffee with you or go to the cinema together. Go to the international parties offered at the International Centre or by the Wohntutoren at the dorms. 

Tip: register at the Yahoo-Group-Calendar, which keeps you informed about events

I feel unwell or believe I won't be able to meet the requirements. 

Please do make use of the free-of-charge, anonymous councelling at the IO or the professional advice of the Psycho-Soziale Beratung of the Studentenwerk. 

I had an accident or accidentally made a  damage (eg. by fire or water). 

You should always bring this to the notice of the IO and the Studentenwerk, Abteilung Soziale Dienste. Some of the costs might be covered by one of the student insurances.

Bring it to the notice as soon as possible.

Where do I find child care facilities?

In Jena there are three child-care facilities (Kindertagesstätten [Kita]) of the Studentenwerk and many others in the city, but you have to register your child well in advance. On campus there is a short-time baby sitter (JUNI-Kinder), but you have to register for it before, too. 

I am in trouble with certain contracts, eg. accommodation, mobile phone, etc. 

Please come to the IO for advice. There is free legal councel available to students at the Wagnergasse 26 (Thursdays, 17:00).

Where can I get cheap household things like plates and pans?

You might have a look at the Umsonstladen (lower part of the Market, opposite Apollo-Optik),  or at the cheap stores around the market place or in the big supermarkets. Ask your Wohntutor, too. 

The Umsonstladen will be happy to take your stuff when you leave if it is still alright.

Where can I make a cheap telephone call?

There is a call shop at Neugasse (close to the theatre). Or you might buy a cheap sim-card in the supermarket.

Do not sign any long-term contracts with telephone or internet companies. If you do not pay the monthly rates your debts will be registered centrally at the SCHUFA. This might hamper your next visa application.