New to Germany | Things that you need to do in your first few days

There are lot of things, that you need to do when you first arrive in Germany and most of these steps will be entirely new to you, thus I have tried to compile it in a way that is as easy as possible. Since I am from Chemnitz, I have given some IMPORTANT links for Chemnitz which can be easily found in all other University webpages as well. 

If you have not yet arrived in Germany, check out this CHECKLIST to see whether you have purchased all necessary things for your first travel to Germany

1. Accommodation:
   If you have already applied to a dormitory in your desired University location, then you can contact the person responsible(care taker) to collect your keys for your room. Some times, you can ask some of your friends also to collect the keys, so that you can directly goto your room. 

   Related: 25 websites to search accommodation in Germany

   If you are unlucky to find a place to stay, there are many Youth hostels in every cities and you can book a room before-hand, so that you can stay in them for at least a week. Also, if you know some students who are already studying in that University, you can request them for a couch or accommodation for few days. 
   
   
   If you are from Chemnitz, then check out these important links for accommodation: 
   
   
   - Contact details: Care taker and Youth hostel
   
   
2. City registration:
   Once you arrive in Germany, you are required to get yourself registered with the leasing contract and passport. This is to confirm that, you have arrived in Germany and have a proper place to stay. Any change in address must be reported to the Resident registration office. You need to get yourself REGISTERED within two weeks of arrival. 
   
   
   Important links for City registration (CHEMNITZ):
   
   
   - Timings and Contact details
   
   
3. Residence permit:
   When you arrive in Germany, you might have only 3 months of VISA from the date of your travel. But, you will need long-term visa which you need to apply at the Immigration office. You can apply for your LONG-TERM VISA as soon as possible, because there might be many people who have already applied and the whole process may take some time. 
   
   
   Important links for Immigration office (CHEMNITZ):
   
   
   - Immigration office for Residence permit
   - Application form for Residence permit
   
   
4. Bank account: 
   If you are coming to Germany for studies, then you will have a "blocked account" which you need to "un-block" so that, you can use your money. Therefore, you need to goto the nearest Deutsche Bank or the respective bank and ask for the same. They will ask your Passport, Lease agreement, letter of admission for confirmation and then you will get your iTAN, Debit Card, etc., via post after 1 or 2 weeks. 
   
   
   Important links for Banks in CHEMNITZ:
   
   
   - Banks in Chemnitz
   
   
5. Health Insurance: 
   Every student must have an Health insurance in Germany. It may be a Private or Public health insurance, but it is required for you to get enrolled in the university. 
   
   
   Important links for Health insurance in CHEMNITZ:
   
   
   - Health insurance
   
   
6. Semester fees: 
   You cannot get yourself "enrolled" in the University without paying the semester fees and without enrollment, you need to pay for the local transport every time. Therefore it is advisable to pay the semester fees as soon as possible and get your student ID card. At times, there might be a long queue and it may take more time to get your student ID card. 
   
   

These are some of the IMPORTANT steps that you need to carry out as soon as you arrive in Germany. It may seems weird to some of you, but it is compulsory for all the International students to carry out all these steps in order to have a smooth student life in Germany.