Visa and immigration
1. Nationals of EU and EEA countries:
Nationals of EU countries and of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway do not need any visa to enter Germany: an identity card is sufficient. If you plan to stay in Germany for longer than three months you must register at the Einwohnermeldeamt (registration office) and obtain a so-called Freizügigkeitsbescheinigung (freedom of movement certificate).
2. Nationals of all other non-EU countries:
In order to enter Germany and spend a period of time at Münster University you will need an Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit). The relevant information and application forms can be obtained from the City of Münster’s Aliens Office (Amt für Ausländerangelegenheiten).
3. Nationals from all other non-EU countries:
- Stays lasting less than three months: If your research stay in Germany will not last longer than 90 days in any half-year, a Schengen visa (so-called “C visa”) will generally suffice for entry into the country. However, please note that the Schengen visa cannot be extended beyond the three-month stay, nor can it be altered for any other purpose of your stay. This means that you must leave the country after the three months have expired, at the latest.
- Stays lasting more than three months: If you plan to stay in Germany for longer than three months you must apply for a national visa for Germany (a so-called “D visa”) in your home country or in the country you are living in. Please note that this also applies if you are already staying in another country belonging to the European Union. On no account should you enter Germany with a visitor’s or tourist visa (a so-called Schengen visa), as this cannot be extended and only allows you stay for a maximum of three months. After this you will have to return to your country of origin at your own expense and apply there for the relevant visa. This also applies to dependants. The national visa only entitles you to stay in Germany. If you intend to travel to other Schengen countries during the first three months of your stay in Germany – for example, to attend a conference – you should declare this when you apply for your visa. In such cases you can be issued with a so-called hybrid visa (covering categories C+D). As a rule, the national visa is issued for a period of three months. After you arrive in Germany you must apply for a residence permit on top of the visa at the local Foreigners Registration Office.
Further information:
Visa exemption for short stays: Nationals from certain countries can enter Germany without a visa for visits lasting up to three months. A list of these countries can be found on the website of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, please note that after arriving in Germany you cannot apply for any residence title for a longer period of stay, and that you must leave the country after three months at the latest. If you are planning to stay longer, you must apply for a visa for Germany.
Click here for the website of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Schengen visa: The Schengen visa allows the holder to stay and travel freely in all countries that have signed the Schengen Accord. In order to be issued with a Schengen visa you must provide evidence that, among other things, you can support yourself financially during your stay in Germany. Travel health insurance with cover amounting to at least 30,000 euros is necessary for all Schengen countries. On the application form for your Schengen visa, please remember to state “academic activity” or “research” as the reason for your stay.
Information on the Schengen visa from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Extending a visa
Before your entry visa expires you must apply in time for a residence permit at your local Foreigners Registration Office. Nationals from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and the USA who enter Germany without a visa and are planning to stay here for a longer period of time must also apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners Registration Office within three months of their arrival.
We recommend that you make your application as soon as possible. As a rule you will have to submit the following documents to the Aliens Office:
- Duly completed application to be issued with a residence title (available from the Foreigners Registration Office)
- Valid passport (please make sure that it is valid for the duration of the planned stay)
- Biometric passport photo (please note the stipulations for passport photos issued by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- Statement of a scholarship, employment contract or hosting agreement with the University (stating monthly scholarship or salary as evidence of your ability to support yourself)
- Invitation from the faculty or chair (in German)
- Evidence of health insurance recognized in Germany
- For spouses/children: marriage and birth certificates, in certified translations into German or English
- Certificate of registration from the Residents Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt)
- Fees: max. 60 euros for initial issue, 30 euros for an extension (children pay half the normal fee)
