Registration and visa requirements

im a 24 year old US citizen and im going to be moving to germany this fall. i will be in berlin for a month to take the CELTA course, then i plan on moving to munich and trying to find a place to live and work. i have a few questions:

-i dont need a tourist visa to go over there right?? i thought i was positive that i didnt...and i just planned on going to germany with my passport and saying im on holiday for a few weeks and i dont know the exact date im coming back yet. i remember last time i was over there, customs hassled me and wanted to know exactly how long i was gonna be there for, where i was staying, why i was there, etc. but, my friends said they have done the "unknown holiday length" bit in germany and its fine.

-i have read the requirements for the visa saying you need multiple passport photos: i mean, i have the one passport photo, in my passport. do i just go get more passport size photos taken, and thats ok? even if they are different from the photo in my passport?

-for registering your address when you move to a city: i know it says you have to do it within 7 days of moving to that city. but when i get to munich, im going to be staying on random people's couches or in hostels until i can hopefully find a job, and THEN try to find an apartment. im expecting this to take maybe a few months at worst. so what do i do? im obviously not going to have an address within 7 days of getting there...

-if you get a full time job offer from an english school by chance, are you still considered a "freelance" english teacher?

thanks for any advice guys

Hi

I just moved here as well, and went through the whole work VISA/residents application process - however I had a job and my company lined up everything, so I don't want to give you any bad advice there...

BUT, I do know that you have to get a very specific style passport photo for your VISA - there is a strict guideline for the color contrast, size of your face v. frame, etc etc (of course, it's Germany

You can get photos taken at the place you apply for the VISA and the residence permit, the "Alien Office", or KVR (Kreisverwaltungsreferat). I went to what seemed like a main office (there are many branches) at Ruppertstraße 19.

http://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Kreisverwaltungsreferat

There are photobooths in the lobby, and it costs 6 EUR (in coins only, I believe). They'll print out right there for you, and you just hand them over to the clerk for your paperwork.

I am staying for two months and didn't even have a single question asked coming in for how long i would stay. to work...that i don't know.
I met a girl here from california who had a work visa she was told by her employer was fine and so stayed for two years about. but then she got taken in by costums and got in a bit of trouble, because as it turned out, she wasn't set w/ her visa. anyhow, i'd just be careful to make sure that paperwork is ok.
but for just staying for a while, i don't think you should have to much trouble.