Visa and Residence
Entry Regulations / Visa
All international employees, doctoral candidates and researchers require an entry visa. Exceptions are EU citizens and other countries for which the European Community has waived the visa requirement for short stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period. You can check whether you need to apply for a visa at visanavigator.
Since January 2025, visas have been applied for online via the “Auslandsportal” of the Federal Foreign Office.
It can take several months from receiving the invitation letter until the visa is issued. Under no circumstances should you enter the country with a tourist visa (which is easier and quicker to obtain), as this cannot be converted into the required residence permit by the authorities in Germany.
The Welcome Center is happy to advise on visa application questions.
Employees:
Employees enter the country with a visa for academic professionals. As soon as an annual income of 48,300 euros is reached, a blue card can be applied for. For both visa types, a “declaration of employment” is required, which is issued by the human resources department.
Guest scientists:
Guest scientists can enter the country with either a Blue Card or a research visa. This depends, among other things, on the funding. The research visa entitles the holder to both teaching and research. A “hosting agreement” must be issued for this.
Scholarship holders:
Scholarship holders can apply for a research visa with a “Hosting Agreement”.
PhD students:
PhD students can enter Germany with a study visa. Doctoral students who are planning a short stay can also be enrolled at Leuphana.
Residence Permit
A visa is normally issued for 1 year and also includes the necessary work permit for this period. If a longer stay is planned, a residence permit should be applied for at the foreigners authority of the place of residence approx. 3 months before the visa expires. Persons travelling to Germany without a visa must apply for a residence permit directly at the foreigners authority.
The following documents are required :
- Official invitation / Hosting Agreement / Employment contract
- Passport
- Rental agreement
- Proof of health insurance
Irrespective of the registration at the foreigners authority, the residence must be registered at the residents' registration office of the respective place of residence. You will need a landlord's confirmation of residence and your passport for this. For children, you must bring a birth certificate translated into German.