Residence Permit for International Researchers
As the visa only allows you to enter Germany and stay for a short term, you will need to apply for a residence permit for stays which take longer than 90 days. After having applied for a residence permit at the local Foreigners’ Office, you will receive an electronic residence permit (eAT / “elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel) in ID-1 format.
Nationals from Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Korea and the USA who have entered Germany without a visa and are planning a longer stay in Germany must also apply for a residence permit within three months of entering Germany.
The application should be made as early as possible, but only after you have registered with Paderborn’s “Einwohnermeldeamt” (city registration office).
The application form for the residence permit can be downloaded here ("Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels")
For your information: Who your contact person in Paderborn's Foreigners' Office is, depends on the first letter of the applicant's family name.
Information for citizens of EU/EEA countries: You do not need a residence permit but simply register your place of residence with the city within two weeks of moving.
Please note: This information does not constitute legally binding information. The information provided on this website cannot replace the information offered by experts. Please contact the German Missions abroad or the local Foreigners’ Office for advice.
Usually, the following documents are required:
- Completed application form for a residence permit
- Valid passport (please make sure that it is valid for at least 3 months after the end of your planned stay)
- Biometric passport photo (please consider the passport photo requirements of the Federal Foreign Office)
- if applicable: Letter of invitation from the faculty, contract etc.
- Proof of health insurance recognised in Germany
- For PhD students: current certificate of enrolment
- For spouses / children: original marriage and birth certificates in German or English (translation with notarization)
- For children: current school certificates (of the German school)
- Registration certificate of the Residents' Registration Office
- Fees: Initial issuance up to one year: 100,00 EUR, Initial issuance of more than one year: 100,00 EUR, Extension up to three months: 96,00 EUR,Extension of more than three months: 93,00 EUR, Fee for the change of the residence permit caused by a change of the purpose of stay including its extension: 40,00 EUR (fee waiver: If you receive a scholarship from a German funding organisation from public funds, e.g. the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation or the DAAD, you do not have to pay any fees for either the visa or the residence permit.) Source
Depending on the length and purpose of your stay, you may apply for various residence titles. An overview of reseidence titles for researchers can be found here.
Further information can also be found on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
