Residence permit to study for a doctorate
General information
A residence permit can be issued for the purposes of studying for a doctorate according to § 16 b Residence Act. The doctoral studies must take place at a state or state-recognised higher education institution (university, teacher training college, arts college, senior technical college) or a comparable institution (for example, a university of cooperative education) and be the main purpose of staying in Germany. An evening, weekend or long-distance course is not enough to fulfil the legal requirements. You need to be at least 18 years old or produce a declaration of consent from your parents.
A residence permit cannot be obtained if you are currently undergoing an asylum procedure or your deportation has been suspended.
Legal basis
§ 16b Section 1 Residence Act
Documents/ forms to be submitted
You can submit this application completely online. If you are not able to use the online application, please use the "Residence permit application/Application for renewal of a temporary residence permit" (PDF 227 KB) and submit the documents by mail.
- Instructions on study course (see below)
- Valid passport (copy)
- Entry visa for a study course, if available (copy)
- Notice of admission or proof of acceptance as a doctoral candidate from the relevant doctoral committee (copy)
- Enrolment certificate, if available (copy)
- Proof of ability to secure living costs - blocked account, letter of obligation, scholarship; at least 934 euros per month (only for extensions: proof of scholarship for the previous three months, for example bank statements) (copy)
- Proof from the health insurance company about current health insurance coverage
- in the case of statutory health insurance: informal letter from the health insurance company
- in the case of private health insurance: Certificate of insurance (see below)
- Current (sub-)rental contract (copy)
Deadlines/ processing time
After the documents have been submitted in full, the processing is usually complete within four weeks. Deviations from this are possible in individual cases.
Process and procedure
Please submit your application and related documents via online application. You will be invited to collect your biometric data after a decision has been made on your application. After the decision about your application, you will be invited to have your biometric data recorded.
Costs and fees
93 euros to 113 euros
If you are receiving a scholarship from public funds for your stay in the Federal Republic of Germany, you do not have to pay the fees.
Payment possibilities:
- Paying by cash
- Paying by EC card
Paying by credit card is possible.
Special requirements
After successful completion of the doctorate, it is possible to look for a job for up to 18 months (§ 20 Section 3 No. 1 Residence Act).