Visa, residence permit and registration

Visa

Please be aware that your visa status depends on your individual circumstances. Find out details from the German Embassy in your country of residence. More information is available here and here. Internationals may further find the Max Planck Society brochure Living and Working in Germany useful.

Citizens of European Union (EU) member states do not need a visa to work in Germany. EU citizens have the right to live and work in any EU country, including Germany, without requiring a visa or work permit. This also applies to citizens of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries—Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

If you are a citizen of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea or the USA, you may enter Germany visa-free for up to 90 days.

However, you must not start working until you have obtained a residence permit from the local immigration office. Due to potentially long waiting times for appointments, it is strongly recommended to apply for a national visa from your home country that allows you to work upon arrival.

Citizens of all other countries need a visa to enter Germany, which can be obtained from the German Embassy or Consulate in the home country. The application process typically takes two to three months and you should plan this well in advance. You should apply for your visa and, if applicable, the visas for any family members at the same time. Check the requirements and regulations with the embassy or consulate of your country or in the country where you are going to apply. You should also check with the International Officer which type of visa best suits your status.

Generally, a visa only allows you to enter and stay for a maximum of 90 days. If you want to work or continue a fellowship, you will need to apply for a residence permit.

Important note: If you arrive on a tourist visa, you will not be able to change or extend your visa, or apply for a residence permit. You will need to leave the country to apply for the appropriate visa.

You can find more information about visa regulations here.

Residence permit

Please note that all non-EU citizens need a valid residence permit to start their postdoctoral position in Germany. However, if you have already been legally residing in Germany for more than 5 years and hold a permanent residence permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) or if you are a family member of an EU/EEA citizen with residency rights, you may not need to apply for a new residence permit.

There are several types of residence permits in Germany. For international scientists conducting a research project at a recognized institution, special residence permits are available with more flexible requirements and additional benefits. These may include permission for family reunification, employment rights for family members, and eligibility for parental and child benefits. The residence permit for research purposes also allows you to engage in teaching activities. Additionally, it enables short-term research stays in other EU countries without requiring an additional residence permit there.

Once your research contract or admission agreement has expired, you can apply to extend your residence permit for up to nine months in order to seek employment in Germany. However, your future job must match your qualifications.

It is important to apply for your residence permit well in advance, ideally at least two months before it expires. Our International Office will assist you with this process and handle the application process.

Once in Germany and once you have your appointment at your local district immigration office (Bezirksausländeramt), you will need the following documents for the application:

Valid Passport (Ensure your passport is valid for the entire duration of your intended stay)
Completed Application Form (obtainable from the local Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde))
Biometric Passport Photos (Conforming to German standards (35x45mm))
Proof of Residence Registration (Meldebescheinigung) (Certificate from the local Residents' Registration Office confirming your registered address in Cologne)
Hosting Agreement or Employment Contract (Document detailing your research position, including salary or fellowship information)
Proof of Financial Resources (Evidence demonstrating sufficient funds to support your stay, such as bank statements, scholarship letters, or a declaration of commitment)
Proof of Health Insurance Coverage (Valid health insurance policy recognized in Germany) – International Health Insurance is not sufficient!
Rental Contract (Copy of your housing lease or accommodation agreement)
Marriage or Birth Certificates (if applicable) (Certified translations in German or English if you are accompanied by family members)
Visa (if applicable) (If you entered Germany with a visa, include it in your application)

Please note that additional documents may be required depending on your individual circumstances. To ensure a smooth application process, all documents should be prepared and submitted well in advance of your visa expiry date.

We strongly recommend contacting the MPIPZ International Office ([link]) for assistance with the visa and residence permit process.

Registration

Regardless of nationality, everyone who moves to Germany is required to register their residence with the local residents' registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) within two weeks (14 days) of moving to a new address. This registration is mandatory and necessary for various administrative processes. Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation of registration (Meldebescheinigung), which you will need to extend your visa, apply for a residence permit, or even open a bank account. Our International Office can assist you to arrange an appointment for you and fill in the forms, but you have to register in person at the Residents’ Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt). Upon request, our International Officer can accompany you. To register, you need the following documents:

Passport or identity card for EU members
Visa, if you needed it to enter Germany
Letter from your landlord stating that you have moved in (Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung)
If you moved to Cologne with your family, you will also need (in addition to the documents mentioned above): birth certificates
Translated marriage certificate (if applicable)

To register your family members, they also need to go to the registration office in person. If you have children, you should also apply for child allowance (Kindergeld) at the same time.

After your registration, you will receive your tax identification number; usually by post. Keep it safe! - it is an important document and is valid throughout your stay in Germany, no matter where you live or how long you stay.

Please note that you must inform the local residents’ registration office if you move within Germany and also when you leave Germany. We thus ask you to contact the MPIPZ Human Resources Department as soon as you know you are moving.