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Visa for research
of research in Germany? Then a visa for research is probably exactly what you need. Are you looking to work in Germany as a researcher? If so, you will need to apply for a visa for research in accordance with Section 18d on the Residence Act - AufenthG . To find out whether you require a visa to enter Germany, see Who needs a visa? What are the requirements to receive a visa for research? You have concluded a hosting agreement or a work contract with a research institute in Germany. The research institute [...] part of a work contract with a research facility in Germany. If the research position is a component of the PhD program as a full-time program, only a visa for studying can be issued. Mobility arrangements for international researchers International researchers from non-EU member states who are legally residing in EU Member States may perform part of their research in Germany. In such cases, there are two options that allow you to stay in Germany: A residence permit for short-term research stays is [...] purposes. This permit must be valid for the duration of your planned stay in Germany for research purposes. You must submit a copy of a valid passport or travel document issued in lieu of a passport. You have a concluded a hosting agreement or a contract with a research facility in Germany. You must apply for the residence permit at your local foreigners authority at least 30 days prior to starting your stay in Germany. The application can also be submitted to the Federal Office for Migration and
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Visa for language acquisition
Visa for language acquisition Would you like to learn German in Germany? Find out how to get a visa for language acquisition. You can take German language courses not only abroad, but also in Germany. A visa for language acquisition under Section 16f (1) of the Residence Act (AufenthG) permits entry and residence for this purpose. To find out if you need a visa to enter Germany, please refer to the “ Do I need a visa? ” section. What are the requirements for a language course visa? You have been [...] language courses. Evening and weekend courses are not sufficient. You are able to cover your living costs for the duration of your stay. Evidence can be provided by means of a blocked bank account or a declaration of commitment . Do you fulfil these requirements? Learn about the procedure for the entry and visa process . Please beware If you want to take a German course in preparation for studying or training in Germany, it may be the case that you do not need a German language course visa, but a visa to [...] the world The German language Learning German will change your life Information on the web Federal Foreign Office (FFO) You can find out which visa you need in order to come to Germany with the Visa-Navigator. Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) Centre of Excellence for Asylum, Migration and Integration in Germany Print page share on LinkedIn share on X (before: Twitter) share on Facebook share on WhatsApp mail
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Email
in Service
Email Please feel free to send your queries regarding work and life in Germany via e-mail. Experts are happy to advise you. Quick-Check In Germany, I’d like to... work. study. do vocational training. start up a business. do research. Start Important notice Below you can submit your questions about working and living in Germany to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and the Federal Employment Agency (BA). Please note that written enquiries cannot be processed promptly at present due [...] Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Federated States of Micronesia Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia Gabon Georgia Germany Ghana Great Britain Greece Grenada Guam Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia [...] Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Federated States of Micronesia Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia Gabon Georgia Germany Ghana Great Britain Greece Grenada Guam Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia
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Job
documents are required for an application in Germany and how you can write a successful application. Do you have questions about job application and job search? It is recommended to send your CV directly with the application. The Federal Employment Agency (BA) will provide you with personal support on all topics relating to working in Germany. Find the right visa for you! Would you like to find out what your chances are of working and living in Germany? Then learn more about your possibilities with
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Housing & mobility
Housing & mobility How would you like to live and what is there to consider when signing a tenancy agreement? Is your driving license valid in Germany? Find answers to these questions in this category. Housing and registration Driving licence & car Mobility in Germany
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Back to Germany
Back to Germany Have you been living abroad and would like to come back to Germany? Then, there are a few things you should consider, for example in regard to medical insurance or your international claims to the pension scheme. Social security Unemployment
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Securing funding
yourself financially during your time in Germany. The question of financing your studies in Germany is vital. If you come from a country outside the EU/EEA and need a temporary residence title for the purpose of studying, you have to prove that you have the financial means to study and live in Germany. To this end, you can set up a blocked bank account in Germany with a minimum amount of €11,904 (as of 2025). Alternatively, you can ask friends or relatives in Germany to hand in a Declaration of Commitment [...] You can find out more about funding options from DAAD and other selected funding organisations for international students on the DAAD website. Cost of living How much money do you need on average in order to live while studying in Germany? You will find detailed information on the cost of living during your studies in Germany on the Study in Germany website. Financing your studies Getting a visa, or learning German? Contact points all over the world Information on the web DAAD Scholarship database [...] can find more information on proof of financial means on the Study in Germany website. Making enquiries about scholarships Would you like to fund your studies by means of a scholarship? Numerous institutions in Germany provide financial support on a monthly basis to students who meet certain requirements (e.g. extraordinary grades or commitment to social responsibility). However, you need to be aware that scholarships in Germany are rarely awarded from the first semester onwards. Students in higher
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Introducing the project THAMM
in Service
after they have arrived in Germany. In which area do you see a need in this respect? The THAMM project comprehensively prepares project participants for life in Germany, and also provides them with support once they have arrived in the country. There is a particular need for language acquisition, raising awareness of cultural differences between the countries of origin and Germany, and support with bureaucratic processes before leaving their home country as well as in Germany. 6. In your experience, [...] applications and entry to Germany. Once the participants have arrived in Germany, the project organises welcome events and regular consultation hours for both the participants and the companies involved, making it easier for both sides to ensure the newcomers’ successful integration. 2. Which sectors does the project focus on, and how are they chosen? The sectors in which THAMM places trainees and skilled workers are selected based on needs in the partner countries and in Germany. The joint decision is [...] organises virtual interviews. If a candidate is hired, THAMM coordinates the visa process and the migrant’s entry to Germany. THAMM also helps skilled workers to obtain recognition of the degrees and qualifications they have acquired abroad. THAMM project participants are highly motivated to enter training or employment in Germany, and have prepared intensively for this new stage in their lives. Nevertheless, language barriers can be challenging, as well as the process of settling into a new environment
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Bank account
Bank account How do I open a bank account in Germany? We explain what you need to consider when opening an account. If you plan on living in Germany long term, you require a German bank account ( current account ) to rent a flat or to receive your salary via bank transfer, for instance. But you will also be able to use your debit card (Girokarte) in your day-to-day life, for example, to pay at the supermarket. You can use you debit card in other countries in Europe which use the euro as currency [...] currency as well. Cashless payments If you wish to pay without cash in Germany, you can do so with a credit card or a so-called Girokarte. The Girokarte works similarly to a debit card, and many banks provide it free of charge with opening the current account. For a credit card, however, you will usually be charged a fee. The main difference between the two cards is the billing cycle. While payments with a debit card are immediately debited against your account, credit card payments are debited collectively [...] collectively at the end of the month. In your everyday life in Germany, a debit card is sufficient. But for purchases requiring the payment of a deposit, you will most likely need a credit card. Some exemplary cases are booking a hotel room or renting a car. If you shop online, you can also transfer the money via credit card, instant bank transfer (Sofortüberweisung), Giropay (an internet payment system based on online banking) or PayPal. Opening a bank account To open a bank account, you generally require
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Other types of visa
enter Germany. For certain professional groups, special entry and employment rules have to be considered. Read more about other types of visa that are designed for a long-term stay in Germany. Special regulation for assistants in nursing As an assistant in nursing from a third country, you have the opportunity to practise your profession in Germany. Find out what the requirements are here. Visa for self-employment As an entrepreneur from abroad, your business plans could thrive in Germany. In some [...] you can live in Germany and teach your mother tongue at a school. Learn which visa requirements apply for this purpose. Professional athletes and coaches In professional sports, athletes from third countries can receive a residence title to professionally practice their sport in Germany. You can read here which requirements apply for the visa and the stay. Special regulations for esports professionals As a professional eSports professional, you can pursue your eSports career in Germany. If you come [...] some cases, a visa for self-employment might be necessary. Visa for research Germany is an attractive location for many international researchers. Those who come from abroad and wish to enter Germany for a research stay may need a visa for their research endeavours. Visa for language acquisition Taking a German class in Germany can have many advantages: the acquired language skills can immediately be put to practice in everyday life. For this purpose of stay, a visa for language acquisition may be
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