The residence permit according to §18d AufenthG entitles the holder to only undertake research activities at the research institution specified in the hosting agreement and to engage in teaching activities.

Doctoral candidates can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of research only if the research primarily serves a research project, e.g. if the dissertation is carried out as part of an employment contract.

Main requirements:

• University degree (recognized in Germany)
• Work contract and/or hosting agreement
• Sufficient financial means (including health insurance)
• Sufficient housing

Required documents:

• Application form - filled out and signed (Issuance (Öffnet in einem neuen Tab) or extension (Öffnet in einem neuen Tab) of a residence permit)
• 1 new biometric passport photo
• Valid passport & copies (data sheet, entry visa, stamps, labels)
• Current health insurance membership certificate, not older than 3 months (no chip card)
• Current proof of residence (housing form from the Potsdam Foreigners' Registration Office (Öffnet in einem neuen Tab), filled out and stamped by the homeowner/landlord, homeowners must submit an excerpt from the land register)
• Residence registration from the City Hall (Bürgerservice)
• Joint declaration of marriage (Öffnet in einem neuen Tab) for one another (one form per spouse)
• Current employment contract or hosting agreement with approved research institution
• Last 6 salary statements or scholarship certificate
• Diploma, if applicable with translation

Fees

• First application: 100,00 Euro
• Prolongation: 93,00 Euro

Method of payment

• Debit card or cash