GermanyStudy and training

Germany researcher visa (§ 18d)

Residence permit for research (§ 18d AufenthG)

In short

Researchers with a hosting agreement or contract from a research institution approved by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees receive a residence permit under § 18d. Employment contracts have no fixed minimum salary; scholarship holders and self-funded researchers show EUR 1,091 a month in 2026.

Apply on Consular Services Portal (Auslandsportal) checked 23 October 2026

Key facts

Validity
At least one year, or the length of the research project if shorter.
Fee
€75National (D) visa fee under § 46 AufenthV. In Germany the residence permit then costs EUR 100 (reduced for Turkish nationals with association rights).
Funds required
€1,091 per monthRequired for scholarship holders and self-funded researchers in 2026; employed researchers need no fixed minimum.
Work
Research at the host institution and teaching; no Federal Employment Agency approval needed.
Family
Spouses can join without proving German and may work without restriction.
Path to permanent residence
Settlement permit under the general rules, typically after years of contributions; time as a researcher counts.
Where to apply
German mission responsible for your place of residence (Consular Services Portal or appointment at the mission).

Conditions

You need a hosting agreement or an equivalent contract with a research institution recognised for this procedure by the BAMF, or a public institution. The institution confirms that it will cover costs if you remain unlawfully, and that the research project is approved. Doctoral candidates can use this route if they are employed as researchers; otherwise doctoral studies are handled under the student rules.

Income

There is no fixed salary floor for employed researchers. For scholarship holders and self-funded researchers the 2026 benchmark is EUR 1,091 net a month, shown through the scholarship, a blocked account or a formal obligation letter.

Mobility and extensions

Researchers admitted by another EU state can carry out part of their project in Germany under the EU mobility rules after notifying the BAMF. The permit is extended for the duration of the project or a follow-up contract.

Family members

Spouses of researchers are exempt from the German language requirement for family reunification and may take up any employment. Children follow under the general rules.

Documents

Required documents

Identity

  • Passport valid for the planned stay, with copies of the data page
  • National visa application form (online via the Consular Services Portal or VIDEX national form) and the Section 54 declaration
  • Biometric photo, 35 × 45 mm

Work

  • Hosting agreement or employment contract with the recognised research institution

Study

  • Doctoral or other degree certificate qualifying you for the research

Insurance

  • Health insurance

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Money

  • Scholarship award, blocked account or formal obligation letter (EUR 1,091 a month) if not employed

How to apply, step by step

  1. Check the right category in the Federal Foreign Office Visa Navigator and follow the instructions of the German mission responsible for your place of residence (category: research): it either gives you an appointment or directs you to the Consular Services Portal.
  2. If redirected, create an account on the Consular Services Portal, fill in the application and upload the documents as PDFs; registering on the portal alone is not yet a valid application.
  3. Attend the appointment at the mission or its service provider for fingerprints and identity checks, bringing originals of all uploaded documents; pay the EUR 75 visa fee.
  4. The mission forwards the file to the foreigners authority in your future German town and, where required, to the Federal Employment Agency; wait for the decision.
  5. After entry, register your address at the local registration office (Anmeldung) within two weeks.
  6. Before the visa expires, apply for the residence permit at the foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde).

Frequently asked questions

Does my spouse need German?

No. Spouses of researchers are exempt from the language requirement.

Is there a minimum salary?

Not for employed researchers. Scholarship holders show EUR 1,091 a month in 2026.

Who recognises research institutions?

The BAMF keeps the list of institutions approved to sign hosting agreements.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Germany

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

Study and training

  • Student visa Validity: The visa is usually issued for several months; the residence permit in Germany is normally granted for two years at a time, at least one year, and renewed while studies progress.
  • Language course visa Validity: For the length of the course.
  • Internship and trainee visa Maximum stay: Up to six months for the EU internship permit
  • Au pair visa Maximum stay: Six to twelve months

Work

  • Work visa Processing time: Appointment waiting times depend on the mission; after submission the Federal Employment Agency approval adds a few weeks. The accelerated skilled-worker procedure shortens this.
  • Skilled worker visa Validity: Up to four years, or the length of the employment contract plus three months if shorter.
  • EU Blue Card Validity: Up to four years, or the length of the contract plus three months.
  • Job seeker visa Maximum stay: Up to one year; a follow-up Opportunity Card of up to two years is possible for a qualified job that does not yet meet another permit.
  • Intra-company transfer visa Validity: Length of the transfer, at most three years (one year for trainees).
  • Working holiday visa Maximum stay: Up to 12 months, once

Family

  • Family reunification visa Validity: Visa for entry; the residence permit is then issued in line with the sponsor's permit.
  • Spouse and partner visa Processing time: Same appointment system and waiting times as other family reunification visas at the mission responsible for you.

Residence

Faster processing

  • Fast-track and priority visa services Processing time: Recognition authority: decision within two months; Federal Employment Agency: one week; mission: appointment within three weeks and decision usually within three weeks of a complete application.

Protection

  • Asylum and international protection Processing time: Regular procedure: six months from the application; accelerated procedure: at most three months; border procedure: at most twelve weeks.

Germany visa guide