City registration and Residence

As a general rule for any bureaucratic procedures, it is good to bring more information with you rather than discovering that you are missing an important document.

Once you have moved to Düsseldorf and found a room or apartment, you must register with the Registration Office (Amt für Einwohnerwesen), often referred to as "Einwohnermeldeamt" or "Bürgerbüro", of the city you live in within a week. In Düsseldorf the main office is placed in the "Dienstleistungszentrum" just behind the central station. The tutors will assist you while the procedure of the registration and help you with the completion of the required forms.

Central Registration Office Düsseldorf (Dienstleistungszentrum)
Willi-Becker-Allee 7, 40227 Düsseldorf
Phone +49 211-8991
Fax +49 211-89-29035

Office hours
Monday and Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A complete list of all registration offices can be found here.

For the registration, you need to bring:

• your passport (including your visa)
• your rental contract
• the registration form

After you completed the registration, you will receive a registration confirmation (Anmeldebestätigung). Keep this document, since you will need it in order to get your residence permit and in order to open bank account.

If you happen to move to new accommodation during your stay or return to your home country, you are obliged to notify the Registration Office within one week.

Residence Permit

If you entered Germany with a 3-months-visa you need to apply for a residence permit for the whole year. Please arrange an appointment at the Foreigner's Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde) once you arrived because there is a long waiting period. The Foreigner's Registration Office is located in the Central Registration Office (Dienstleistungszentrum) as well.

To arrange an appointment, please fill in the online form or call +49 211 89-21020.

In order to get a residence permit, you need to provide the following documents:

• confirmation of registration (Anmeldebestätigung) from the Residents´ Registration Office
• proof of coverage from a private or state health insurance provider
• matriculation certificate
• proof of sufficient financial resources (scholarship, Verpflichtungserklaerung or Sperrkonto)
• valid passport
• 1 biometric photograph
• application form for residence permit
• 50 Euro fee (not applicable when receiving a public German scholarship)