Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of research

Source: BUS Rheinland-Pfalz

You can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of research if you have concluded a hosting agreement or a corresponding contract with a research institution in Germany for the purpose of carrying out a research project.

With a German residence permit for research purposes, you can also conduct research and teach in another EU state for a limited period of time. Some member states require a separate notification to the respective competent authorities for this purpose. You can find information on the homepage of the Federal Office for Migration and on the procedure and contact details of the respective National Contact Points in other EU member states (see "Further information").

The residence permit for the purpose of research is a temporary residence title. It is issued for at least one year, and for at least two years if you are participating in a Union or multilateral programme with mobility measures. If the duration of the research project is shorter, it is issued for its duration, but for at least one year if participating in a Union or multilateral programme with mobility measures.

The residence permit entitles the holder to take up research activities at the research institution designated in the hosting agreement and to take up teaching activities. Changes to the research project during the stay do not result in the loss of this entitlement.

The residence permit must be applied for at the aliens' registration office responsible for your place of residence. The procedure is as follows:

Depending on the foreigners authority and your concerns, it may be possible to apply via the internet. Find out whether your foreigners authority offers electronic application for the residence permit.
If the application is only possible in person, make an appointment with the Aliens' Registration Office. During the appointment, your application will be accepted and your supporting documents will be checked (bring them with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken for the production of an electronic residence permit (eAT card).
In the case of an electronic application, the Aliens' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your online application to arrange an appointment at the Aliens' Registration Office if necessary. During the appointment, your documents will be checked (please bring them with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the electronic residence permit (eAT card).
If your application is granted, the Aliens' Registration Office will arrange for the eAT card to be produced.
After about six to eight weeks you can collect the eAT card from the Aliens' Registration Office.
The eAT card must always be collected in person.

There are fees for the issuing of the residence permit. The timing and form of payment vary depending on the authority.

You hold a recognised and valid passport or passport replacement and, if required, an appropriate visa.
There is no interest in deportation against you.
Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.

You have concluded a hosting agreement or a corresponding contract with a research institution to carry out a research project in Germany.
A declaration by the research institution that it will assume the costs is available.
In principle, the research institution must undertake in writing to assume costs, the public authorities up to six months after termination of the hosting agreement or contract. These include the costs of subsistence during an unauthorised stay in an EU member state and of deportation.
However, a declaration of assumption of costs is not required in certain cases. Please contact your competent foreigners authority in this regard.
You can secure your livelihood and health insurance cover from your income without claiming public benefits.

about 6 to 8 weeks.

If you have concluded a hosting agreement or a corresponding contract with a research institution that is recognised to carry out the special admission procedure for researchers in the Federal Republic of Germany, the Aliens' Registration Office must issue the residence permit within 60 days of submitting the application. The list of recognised research institutions and the information on this can be found under "Further information".

Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of research

Process flow

Who should I contact?

Competent authority

Requirements

Which documents are required?

What are the fees?

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

Processing duration

Legal basis

Appeal

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