Germany’s visa for researchers allows candidates from no-EU countries to research as a professional or a Ph.D. student under visa act 18d. A researcher is a person who has a degree of Ph.D. and is investigating for scientific purposes. For research institutions that are not recognized by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees under the Residence Act, the residence permit is issued and extended for 1 year.
Who can apply for a researcher visa?
A foreigner can be granted a temporary residence permit for research purposes in accordance with Directive 2016/801/EU without the consent of the Federal Employment Agency if:
- the foreigner
a) has concluded an effective hosting agreement or an equivalent contract to carry out a research project with a research organization that is recognized for the implementation of the special approval procedure for researchers in the federal territory, or
b) has concluded an effective hosting agreement or an equivalent contract with a research organization that conducts research, and
- the research organisation has undertaken in writing to bear the costs incurred by public bodies up to six months after termination of the hosting agreement.
Germany has an agreement With some countries, such as Australia, Israel, Japan, and the USA, so that their citizens only need to obtain the required residence permits after arrival.
Research visa for Ph.D. candidates
This visa is valid for two years and can be extended. If you would like to do a doctorate in Germany and are you approved for doctoral studies at a state-recognized university in Germany, then you can get a residence permit for study purposes according to § 16 of the German Residence Act.
In addition to the letter of admission from the university, you should be able to prove that your livelihood is secure – for example with a scholarship. As a doctoral student, you can work up to 120 days (or 240 half days) a year.
If you work at a university or research institution during your doctorate, you can alternatively apply for a residence permit for research purposes or an EU Blue Card (see below). With a residence permit for study or research, you can study for up to 360 days in the other EU Member States (with the exception of Ireland and Denmark).
Researchers
There are easy conditions for a researcher with a university degree that gives you at least access to doctoral programs. After applying for this visa stream, you will receive a residence permit for the purpose of research.
- It is a prerequisite that a research institution has concluded a contract with you for the implementation of your research project.
- If your research activity is not financed primarily from public funds, your host institution must declare in writing that it will cover your living expenses and travel expenses, if applicable.
- With this residence permit, you can initially research and teach in Germany for up to one year. An extension of the residence permit is possible. Another advantage: You can easily research and teach for a limited time in other EU countries (except Ireland and Denmark).
Around 29,000 doctoral students do their doctorate in Germany each year – far more than in any other European country. Among them are more than 5,500 international students doing their doctorate in Germany.
How to apply for a research visa in Germany?
According to Section 18d AufenthG (German Residence Act), any person who wants to research in Germany must have a visa if he is a national of the non-Eu member country. The visa must be submitted about 2 to 3 months before the start of your stay in Germany.
Requirements of Germany’s Researcher Visa
The requirements are as follows:
- The researcher should have a hosting agreement with a research company in Germany and has conducted a contract with them (he hosting agreement must be completed in German and may also include an English version.),
- If the researcher has not conducted a hosting agreement, an equivalent contract must be conducted which should be approved by the federal territory,
- The hosting company must agree to pay the expenses of the researcher during his stay and also, they should be willing to bear the costs of his departure,
- If the researcher does not have a contract with the company, then his funds will be paid by the public authorities for up to 6 months.
- Proof of a secure livelihood must also include sufficient health insurance,
- Lease and proof of the monthly rental costs.
What is an alternative for the German visa for researchers?
1- An alternative for highly qualified scientific researchers is EU Blue Card but it is limited to only those with a professional degree and a certain salary threshold. You can hear all the information on the new regulations of the EU Blue Card.
2- If you are a scientist with special specialist knowledge, a teacher, or a research assistant in a prominent position with several years of professional experience, then you are considered a highly qualified specialist. In other words, you can receive an unlimited settlement permit (PR) immediately after entering the country. The prerequisite is that you have secured your livelihood in Germany.
Germany’s new National Research Data Infrastructure wants to become a knowledge repository for the entire research landscape – and will be funded with 750 million euros.
QUOTED BY FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND RESEARCH GERMANY
Researcher visa form
The candidates must fill in an application form to submit their visas to the embassy and consulate. The form can be downloaded below (it is better to get the visa form from the embassy itself):
Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit – in German, English, French, Italian
Visa Fees
The researcher visa fees for the first time and for extension are as follows:
- first residence permit: 100 Euros
- for each extension of the residence permit: 93 Euros
- for both the first issuance as well as the for the extension of the residence permit (for Turkish citizens): 28 Euros
Germany embassies and consulates
The interested applicants can submit their visa application to the embassy and consulate of Germany in their country of origin. One must make sure to submit it in a country even where they permanently live and not in the country of citizenship. In this case, however, they must prove that they hold a valid residence permit of the residence country. The complete list of embassies and consulates of Germany can be found here.
What are the advantages of the research visa?
It goes without saying, these are much indeed. Since the research visa is applicable for at least 12 months, so it paves way for the following opportunities:
- Once you have this visa, you can work in the company you have a contract with or can also serve as a teacher in another institute,
- You are also able to research in other EU states without requiring their visas except Denmark, Ireland and, the UK,
- The residence permit can also be extended regardless of many obstacles if you continue to fulfill the requirements of a residence permit
- When you have completed your research, you can live in Germany for up to 9 months to find a job and this requires applying for a settlement permit.
A path to permanent residency
If you fulfill the requirements of a settlement permit, you can also get a permanent residence (Niederlasungserlaubnis) in Germany after 4 years.
Mobility arrangements researchers?
The researchers from non-EU States that are residing in EU states (member countries such as France, Italy, or others) can also do a part of research in Germany. This is possible only in two ways:
- Provided that you have a visa of any other EU country and wan want to stay for more than 180 within 360 days in Germnay, you do not require a residence permit but the research company in Germany must inform the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) about your stay.
- For mobile researchers: You must have a residence permit of any EU State and and you want toresearch in Germnay that will last more than 6 months and less than y year, then you must apply for a seperate residence permi. The visa application is dealt under Section 18f. For submitting the visa application:
- you must have a copy of your original documents, including passport,
- You must have an agreement with a hosting company or an equivalent contract in Germany,
- Your residence permit must cover the whole of your stay in Germany.
More than 43,000 international visiting researchers received financial support from German funding organisations, agencies and research institutions in 2018. A further 13,000 were employed at large non-university research organisations and roughly 50,000 at German universities.
Quoted by federal ministry of education and research germany
Processing timing of Germany’s researcher visa
It depends on where are you applying for the visa and if you have had submitted a complete list of requirements documents. In general, however, the processing timings can be considered around 5–6 weeks
For extending the vis, a personal visit four to six weeks before the existing temporary residence title expires is best.
Fundings for researches
Germany supports international scientists with a large number of grants for research projects or guest stays.