Germany is among the most visited Western European country by the researchers and international scientists. The country offers appealing opportunities to foreign scholars and scientists from multiple different fields to come and do extensive research at different renowned institutions. You might already know that Germany is proudly known to be a land of innovations and inventions. Those who aim to discover the mysteries of the scientific world, Germany is the go-to place.
Remember that working as a visiting scholar or a Scientist in Germany is not easy at all. You will have to go through an entire process for it. For instance, you will have to find a suitable institute where you can participate in researches. Besides, you will have to apply for a visa if applicable.
Who needs a visiting scholar/Germany Scientist Visa?
As per the regulations and entry policies of Germany, whether you need a visa or not for entering the country depends upon your citizenship or nationality. Therefore, you must find out first whether you need a permit for traveling to Germany or not before submitting your application.
Foreigners who don’t need a Visiting Scholar/Guest Scientist Visa
The scientists and researchers who have the passport of any of the EU member countries, European free trade area or European Economic area, don’t need to acquire any visa for entering the country and participating in a research study. Moreover, if you are planning to stay in Germany for more than three months, it is essential to register at the regional authorities.
Besides, residents of Japan, Canada, Australia, Israel, Honduras, New Zealand, United States of America and Republic of South Korea can easily enter the country without a visa, just with an approved passport. Besides, registration at local authorities is essential at either the Citizen Service or Resident registration office when they arrive. Those who also want to work there must obtain an employment permit as well.
Foreigners who need a Visiting Scholar/Guest Scientist Visa
The individuals from all the countries except the ones mentioned above need to apply for a visa in order to qualify for entering Germany and conducting their research.
Visa Requirements for Germany
The immigration authorities of Germany have prepared a list of documents that are required for applying for a visa. The list specifies criteria regarding each document so that the applicant can obtain a visa without any hassle. For your ease, we have categorized these documents for scientists and researchers into two divisions.
Required Documents for Visa to Germany
Application Form
It should be duly filed. Make sure you add correct information and don’t make any typos. Print two copies and sign them both at the end.
2 Photographs
Provide two identical passport size photographs with your full face. Make sure that the background in the pictures is not busy and these are not older than a maximum of three months. Besides, both the photos need to comply with all the prerequisites which are decided by the immigration authorities of Germany.
Valid National Passport
It must not be older than 10 years. Besides, the passport must have a validity of a minimum 12 months after the planed returned date of the applicant. Along with a valid passport, you need to provide a copy of Data page of your passport in A4 size.
Health and Travel Insurance
The applicant needs to provide a document which indicates that you have health insurance for your entire stay in the territory of Germany. It is critically important that the insurance covers emergency treatment needs for accidents or illness with at least 30,000 Euros. In case, an applicant dies, the insurance must also cover repatriation.
Flight Itinerary
You can submit your rail tickets, flight reservation or any similar thing.
Accommodation Proof
You also need to submit evidence of your residence for your stay in the Schengen territory. It can be a booking of a hotel in which you are going to stay. Also, you can submit the letter of invitation by the host who is your family member or a friend who lives in Germany.
Civil Status Proof
The applicants have to provide proof of civil status. You can give your marriage certificate, death certificate of your partner or birth certificate of your child.
Evidence of Financial Stability
All the applicants need to submit relevant documents to prove that they possess enough funds to cover their expenses for the tour to Germany.
• You can provide a bank statement indicating that you have enough money for supporting yourself throughout your trip.
• You can give a copy of your contract with the frim where you will take training. This letter will show that you will be paid for by the company.
• You can also provide a sponsor letter by a person who clearly confirms that he/she will be sponsoring your whole trip.
An applicant can send any one or all of these documents if required.
As per your current working status, you may have to submit following docs for proving your means of subsistence.
If you are employed: Employment Contract or Pay slips of last three months.
If you are Self-Employed: A proof of ownership. It can be a Proprietorship Certificate or any evidence of land title or agriculture income.
Specific Requirements for a Visiting Scholar/Guest Scientist Visa to Germany
Personal Cover Letter
You will have to write a detailed cover letter and explain your exact purpose why you want to stay in Germany.
No Objection Letter
You will have to submit this letter which you will get from your research institute or local university. The letter must confirm that you are under contractual obligations in the native country and you will return back after completion of intended research.
Invitation Letter
You will also have to give an invitation letter from a research institute or a German university which will clearly mention your stay conditions in the country along with payment/ scholarship if applicable.
Academic qualification Proof
The applicants will also have to submit mark sheets or academic certificates or degrees as proof of their educational qualification.
Here it is important to mention that the German Consulate or German Embassy in your homeland has the right to demand additional documents if needed. The submission of all the required docs is essential for processing of visa application, but even if you give all the papers, it does not guarantee that visa will be issued.
Moreover, if you fail to appear in the visa interview or submit incomplete documents, your visa application can be rejected instantly.
Application Process
Here are a few steps that every applicant has to go through for obtaining a Guest Scientist Visa to Germany.
- Prepare your application
- Schedule an Appointment
- Visit the Application Center/Embassy/Consulate
- Submit Visa Application
- Online Entry of Application Information
- Biometric Data Collection
You have to submit the visa application at a German consulate or Embassy in your native country near your home. In many nations, there are visa application centers as well. So, if there is any application center near your place, you can submit your application there as well.
It is always better if you apply for a visa three weeks prior to your intended travel date so that you can avoid any potential processing delays.
Germany Visiting Scholar/Guest Scientist Visa Fee
All the applicants of visiting Scholar or Guest Scientist Visas have to pay a visa fee so that their application can be processed. For a long-stay Germany visa, the cost is 75 Euros. The candidates can pay the required fee either in Euros or in their local currency as per the exchange rates of currency authorized by the German Embassy.
Remember that in case your application is rejected, the visa fee will not be refunded. Besides, the price may change at any time.
Visa Processing Time
The visa processing may take about 10-15 days. However, the embassy may take longer time if it is receiving a large number of applications. Besides, due to your individual situation or any complication in your form, it is possible that processing may take more than 15 days. Therefore, you must apply for a visa as soon as possible.
Please note that the earliest an applicant can apply for Visiting Scholar/Guest Scientist Visa is three months before your desired date of departure. Moreover, the latest you can apply is three weeks before your planned time of the trip.
Can Visiting Scholar/Guest Scientist Visa be extended?
In most of the cases, the researchers or scientists can get their long-stay visas extended. The candidate has to schedule an appointment at the Foreigners Registration Office. The appointment must be in the city in Germany where the applicant is residing for a minimum of two months before the expiration of the visa.
On the appointment day, the applicant must appear at the foreigners’ office with all the required documents. Remember to bring a cover letter with a detailed explanation of why you need to extend your visa. Besides, a letter from the research institute or university is also required which confirms that the institute wants you to work on the research project for some more months.
The fee or renewal or extension of visiting scholar visa is 80 Euros.
Am I allowed to bring my Family over?
All such long-stay visa holders who are staying in Germany and doing their research/study projects are allowed to bring their children and spouses over if they want. But, there are some prerequisites which are mentioned below.
• The place where you live in Germany must have sufficient room for more family members.
• You must have enough funds to support the coming family members financially.
• The family members who wish to come to accompany you in Germany must have basic knowledge of the German language.
• The children must be unmarried and underage. Otherwise, they will not be allowed to come.
Besides, the applicant’s spouse is also allowed to work in Germany if he/she gets the work permit from the German Agency of Federal Employment.