Application for a residence permit

Citizens of EU or EEA member states neither require a visa to enter Germany nor a residence or work permit. They are only obliged to register their place of residence at the local Residents' Registration Office. Within the first three months after entering Germany they have the right of unrestricted residence. After this, they must meet certain criteria ("Freizügigkeitsvoraussetzungen"). Freedom of movement applies to:

• individuals in employment (employed or self-employed),
• individuals not in employment (e.g. PhD students),
• family members (also from non-EU/-EWR states)
• long-term residents (more than 5 years of residence).

If the criteria for freedom of movement are met, the right of residence is granted by law. No specific certificate from the immigration authorities is required. Find further information at the Immigration office.

Citizens of all other countries must apply for a residence permit at the Immigration Office in their place of residence in Germany, even if they entered without a visa. For Düsseldorf, the Immigration Office at Erkratherstrasse 377 is responsible. As a rule, the following residence titles come into question for academics::

• for students (§16b AufenthaltsG): for doctoral students without work contract
• für researchers (§18d AufenthaltsG): for doctoral students with an employment contract and all postdocs regardless of funding
• EU Blue Card (§18g AufenthaltsG): for doctoral students, postdocs & researchers with employment contracts, if the salary requirements are met. The EU Blue Card is especially beneficial, if you are planing to apply for permanent settlement in Germany.

If you live in Düsseldorf, you should apply at least 3 months before your visa expires for a residence permit at  the Immigration Office of the City of Düsseldorf via the online portal. If you need assistance with applying for a visa, simply register for our Welcome Service for international researchers.