You are looking for a developed country to conduct scientific researches. Look no further. Germany embraces scientists and researchers from all around the world. You have a great opportunity in the land of innovation and invention. However, you might need a Germany research visa to enter the country.
This article will explain whether you need a research visa or not, requirements, the application process, FAQs, and more.
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ToggleWhat is a Germany Research visa?
People who seek knowledge see Germany as a gateway to knowledge and the unseen world of mystery. When you wish to enter Germany to conduct scientific research, you might need a Germany research visa. You might know a research visa by different names:
- Researcher visa
- Researcher and Guest Scientist Visa
- Germany Guest Scientist/Visiting Scholar (VISA)
It allows scholars, researchers, and scientists to enter the country and perform research or training. The German government has an open view of welcoming foreign scientists.

Who Needs and does not need Germany Research visa
Whether you need a Germany research visa or not is a matter of your nationality. A few countries are free of a research visa. Nationals of these countries can enter Germany and perform scientific work in the long-term.
Countries that are a member of the:
- EU
- EEA
- EFTA
Nationals or residents of the following countries:
- Australia
- Israel
- Japan
- Canada
- New Zealand
- South Korea
- The United States of America
In case you are a national or resident of the above countries, you do not need a Germany research visa. You have permission to enter the country with your passport and perform a scientific job. However, when you should register with the Resident Registration Office.
When you are not from any of the countries mentioned above, you have to apply for a Germany research visa.
Germany Research visa Requirements
The requirements for a Germany research visa is as follows:
Application form
Receive the online application form and complete it. Focus on what you fill it in. The information provided must be correct and true. Try to avoid any spelling mistakes. The spelling of your names must be identical to your passport. When finished, print, date, and sign it.
Two photos
They must be passport size, full face, with a white-clear background. Provide them in the latest three months to the application.
Passport
Your government must have issued the passport within the latest ten years. It must hold validity for at least one year over the date you will leave Germany.
A copy of your passport’s data page
Remember to provide it in A4 size.
Insurance
The purchased health insurance must be valid in Germany and all the EU countries. It has to cover all of your medical expenses for 30.000 EUR. In case of the applicant’s death, the insurance must cover repatriation.
- Ticket
- Proof of accommodation
make clear where you will stay in Germany. If staying with a friend or hos, provide an invitation letter. A rental agreement, a reserved hotel could suffice.
Read our article and learn about immigration ways to Germany as a food service supervisor.
Civil status proof
It includes but not limited to:
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate of children
- Death certificate of spouse
Proof to have required funds
State how you are going to cover the expenses of your trip:
- Bank statements showing to have enough money.
- A contract with the company that you will do the work for it. It is for when you get paid for your scientific work.
- If a sponsor will support you, provide:
- A letter confirming the sponsorship.
- his/her bank statements and payslips.
If you are employed, provide:
- Payslips for the latest three months
- Employment contract
If you are self-employed, provide proof of:
- Ownership of Land
- Income from sales of agriculture
Cover letter
It covers the purpose of your visit to Germany and the duration of your stay. You must convince the German officials to issue you a visa.
Education certificate
Remember, you have to provide the original and copies of the certificates
Permission leave
It is from your university or institute working for. The letter states that you have obligations to return to your home country.
Note
You have to provide two copies for each original form of the documents. Staple no document. The German officials could ask you to provide proof of a clean record. Also, they could ask for more documents during your visa interview. Provide everything they require.
Germany Research visa Application process
The application process for Germany research visa is as follows:
Do you need a visa?
The answer got covered in the section above. Not everyone needs a Germany Research visa. You might be one of the visa-exempt countries. If yes, you do not have to apply for a research visa. You have the authorization to visit Germany with your passport. If not and need a visa, continue reading this part.
Are you eligible?
Look at the requirements for a Germany research visa part. See if you comply with the requirements. You must be able to provide them. Being eligible is an essential part of the application.
Application form
Complete the online application form for Germany research visa. Pay attention carefully that the information you put must be correct and true. Wrong or misleading information will lead to a visa denial. Once completed, print it TWICE, date, and sign it. Remember that you should sign both printed forms.
Requirements
Collect all the required supporting documents, as explained above. You have to know that incomplete requirements mean longer processing time. Yet, the officials might require more documents. Do not forget to make two copies of each original document.
Where to apply for Germany visa
Find a place to apply for a Germany research visa. You could apply to:
- Germany embassy
- Germany consulate
- A visa center outsourced by the German government
- German embassy or consulate in a neighboring country
The place depends on the country you live in. Find the nearest one and set a meeting with them. Grave in mind the exact date and time.
Visa Appointment
Get to the German embassy on the scheduled date. Being late does not seem a good idea. You could miss your appointment. It might take a few minutes to enter the embassy. So getting there early is a brilliant idea. Also, remember to bring all the gathered requirements. Submit all of them to the authorities.
Pay the fee for the Germany research visa fee. The fee depends on the country you apply from. You have to keep the receipt. Do not throw it away by accident.
Processing
Wait until the embassy’s officials process your application. The processing time depends on various elements. When the embassy issues the visa, they will post it to your address. Often you might have to pick it up in-person.
Your visa could also get rejected. If so, the original form of your documents will get reimbursed to you.
After you get to Germany under a Research visa
After your arrival to Germany under a research visa, you have to apply for a residence permit:
Registration office
Find the nearest Registration office in your neighborhood. They will inform you of the required supporting documents.
Appointment
Get to the office on the exact date. Bring all the requirements. A few of the documents you have to bring are as follows:
- Passport
- Germany research visa
- The address of where you live in Germany
You also have to pass an interview. Give correct and true answers to the officials.
Set an appointment with them and get there on time. The officials will inform of the following procedures to complete.
Can I Extend the Germany Research visa?
Yes. You can extend the Germany research visa. Yet, you must follow a few stable procedures to do so:
Set an appointment
Schedule an appointment with the foreigners’ registration office in the city you live in. You must do it at least two months before your visa gets expired.
Attend the appointment
Get to the registration office on the scheduled date. Bring all the requirements:
Cover letter
You explain why you wish to stay in Germany.
Approval letter
Provide a letter from the German institute or university you work with. They must state in the letter that they want you to stay longer and go on working.
Fees
There is a fee for extending the Germany research visa. Bring sufficient money to pay for it.
Applying does not guarantee for extending the visa. The decision is up to German officials.
Can I Bring My Family under a Germany Research visa?
YES. You can bring your family members to Germany under a research visa. Visa holders have the authorization to bring:
- Spouse
- Children
The children must be under 18 and single to be eligible for entrance to Germany. There are other eligibility criteria to achieve:
- You (visa holder) must have enough room/space for his/her family members. German authorities judge and decide on this issue.
- You have to hold enough money to cover your families’ expenses.
- The family member (s) joining you must have a German proficiency certificate. At least fluency in basic German is required.
Can my Spouse Work in Germany?
Yes. Your spouse has permission to work in Germany. Yet, he/she has to apply for permission or work permit from the Federal Employment Agency. The decision is up to the officials.
Germany Research visa Fees/Cost
Germany research visa will cost you about 80 EUR. Yet, the German embassy could charge you more.
Germany Research visa Processing Time
The processing time for Germany processing time depends on:
- The country you apply from.
- German embassy you apply to.
- How much workload the embassy has.
- Whether the provided information is complete or not.
You could ask the embassy’s officials about the standard processing time. Also, you could track the processing from the embassy. Remember that during this time, your passport will remain with the embassy.
Let’s sum up…
This article explained all you should know about the Germany research visa.
The text explained who needs a research visa, who is eligible for it, requirements, the application process, FAQs, and more.
Learn more about other types of Germany visas by visiting the left sidebar.
You could know more about other countries’ visas by going through the Visa Library’s home page.
Share your experience or knowledge about visas in the comments section below. Your comments are worthy tips for visa applicants. They can help applicants to avoid any mistakes and save time, energy, and money.
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- Max-B.
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