Upon arrival
Municipal registration and residence permit
As soon as you have found accommodation, you have to register with the local Residents' Registration Office. The office gives you a written confirmation of Registration (Meldebestätigung). After that, you can apply for your residence permit.
Every international student who moves to Germany has to register with the residents‘ registration office – usually within one week. At the Residents‘ Registration Office you have to fill out a registration form. Then you receive a written confirmation of registration. Be sure to keep this document because you will need it to obtain a residence permit from the foreigners’ registration office.