Residence permit for the purposes of carrying out research as well as short-term mobility for researchers
General information
You are an international scientist/ academic and would like to receive a residence permit in Germany for the purposes of carrying out research? The prerequisite here is that you have signed a hosting agreement or a work contract with a research institution in Germany and receive a monthly income (salary, scholarship, etc.) with which you can finance your living costs.
The residence permit will be issued for at least one year, even for shorter research projects, and offers the possibility of working at the research institution mentioned in the hosting agreement or work contract and also carrying out teaching activities. An extension of the residence permit is possible as long as the fundamental requirements continue to apply.
Mobility arrangements for international researchers
International researchers from non-EU countries who are staying legally in another EU member state are allowed to carry out some of their research activity in Germany.
Comprehensive information on the mobility rights for international researchers and the legal requirements
Legal basis
- § 18d Residence Act
- § 18f 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.
- Valid passport
- Entry visa for research purposes, if available
- Work contract (if applicable, a conditional or valid contract with salary details)/hosting agreement (PDF 84 KB) with the research institution
- Certificate/official notice of the higher education qualification
- Proof of ability to secure living costs - scholarship (only for extensions: proof of a scholarship for the last three months, for example bank statements)/wage slips from the last 3 months
- 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
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
The level of the fees varies on an individual basis between 93.00 euros and 113.00 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 a stay of four years it is possible to apply for the issue of a permanent settlement permit according to § 18c Section 1 Residence Act.
If the research activity is ended earlier, you have nine months to look for another workplace in Germany (§ 20 Section 3 No. 2 Residence Act).