- International researchers and partially also doctoral candidates can unlock a wealth of research opportunities in Germany with the special guest scientist visa. This visa allows them to conduct research at a university or other scientific institution, paving the way for academic growth and scientific exchange.
- The visa is issued for a maximum of 1 year and can be extended thereafter.
- Guest researchers can also leverage the flexibility of this visa for a limited time to conduct research and teach in other EU and Schengen countries, expanding their academic horizons.
- Scientists who intend to work and live in Germany permanently can obtain a work visa or a job-seeker visa and a corresponding residence permit after their research visa has expired.
- The requirements for obtaining a researcher visa include a verifiable status as a scientist, an admission agreement or an employment contract with a research institution in Germany, proof of financial means for the research stay, and valid health insurance.
Visa types and visa obligations for Germany
A guest researcher visa for Germany entitles you to travel and to temporary research stays in all 29 Schengen countries (all EU countries except Ireland and Cyprus; Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland).
Visa types
This visa is usually a German national visa (D visa). The Federal Foreign Office, in consultation with the other Schengen states, determines the criteria for granting this visa. A guest researcher visa is issued for 1 year. It can be extended if the requirements for doing so are met.
For short research stays of up to 90 days, you can enter Germany with a short-term Schengen visa (C visa). Applying for a multiple-entry visa is possible and will entitle you to a maximum stay of 90 days within 180 days in Germany and the Schengen area. C visas are issued as tourist visas but also for other reasons, such as business or research stays.
Visa obligations
The following rules apply regarding visa requirements:
- Citizens of EU and Schengen countries do not need a visa or a residence permit to stay in Germany or another Schengen country.
- Third-country nationals are subject to visa requirements to enter Germany unless their country is exempt.
Citizens of 14 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, are currently exempt from visa requirements for stays in Germany for more than 90 days. However, they must apply for a German residence permit after entering the country.
Citizens of around 60 countries can travel visa-free to Germany and the other Schengen countries for short stays of up to 90 days. However, starting May 2025, they will need an ETIAS travel authorization.
Who can get a guest scientist visa?
Scientists or researchers eligible for this visa category hold a doctoral degree or an academic qualification that allows them to access a doctoral program.
Doctoral candidates from third countries can obtain a guest researcher visa if they have an employment contract with a German university or research institution.
With a guest scientist visa, you can work in research and scientific teaching at the university or research institute listed in your acceptance letter or work contract.
If you want to conduct research as part of a doctoral study program at a German university, you are not considered a guest scientist. So, you cannot obtain a guest researcher visa, but you’ll need to apply for a student visa.
Requirements for a guest scientist visa
To be granted this visa, international scientists must, in addition to a suitable academic qualification, fulfill several other requirements:
- An acceptance agreement or employment contract with a university or a recognized research institute
- Proof of financial means
- Proof of health insurance
Proof of financial means
You can provide proof of financial means for your research stay in various ways. It is also possible to combine different forms of financing. The German authorities set the minimum amount for living expenses, accommodation, and health insurance for research stays at €1,027 per month / €12,324 per year (as of 2025).
The following options are available to finance your stay in Germany, and you must provide appropriate supporting documents to prove them:
- Proof of your financial resources – for example, earned income or assets in your home country
- Financial support from third parties – for example, your employer at home
- Income from an employment contract with the German research institution
- Scholarships from a German research institution or your home country. If living expenses are also covered, this should be explicitly stated in the scholarship certificate.
- Declaration of commitment from the research institution in Germany or from another German sponsor (institutions or private individuals) to cover the costs of your stay
- Blocked bank account with the legally required minimum amount of €12,324 (or a pro-rata amount for each month of a shorter stay). You will receive €1,027 per month from this account, paid into a German checking account. You can open a blocked bank account at some German banks or specialized online providers.
Health insurance for guest scientists
You need travel health insurance for the entire Schengen area for the visa application. It must cover medical emergencies, medically necessary return transport to your home country, and repatriation in the event of death with at least €30,000.
However, such insurance usually does not cover a longer stay in Germany, so you require German health insurance.
Suppose you have received a regular employment contract for your research stay. In that case, you can take out German statutory health insurance or private health insurance if your income is above the compulsory insurance limit.
You will need private health insurance if you do not have an employment contract. Special expat insurance policies are available with various insurers online for guest scientists who are temporarily staying in Germany. These policies are also accepted for visa applications.
Many private companies in Germany also conduct research. They are often genuinely interested in hiring capable scientists from abroad. Typically, you cannot get a guest scientist visa for such a position. Exceptions may apply if your stay is primarily for research and your company works closely with public research institutions. Otherwise, the EU Blue Card is particularly relevant for you. This is a work visa for highly qualified professionals with a university degree. The same applies if you do not meet the academic requirements for a researcher visa. Other visa options for Germany are a regular work visa or a job-seeker visa.
Visa application process
To get a German visa for guest scientists, you will go through a structured application process that consists of the following steps:
- Schedule an appointment with the German Embassy, a German consulate, or a visa center commissioned by the German diplomatic mission for a personal visa interview (usually possible online)
- Prepare the visa documents
- Personal appointment: Submission of visa documents and biometric data (fingerprints), payment of visa fee, visa interview about your requirements, and the reasons for the intended research stay in Germany.
Visa documents
You submit your visa documents in the original and with 2 copies — document information you find on the German Embassy website in your country.
Standard documents for a guest researcher visa application are:
- Valid passport according to the German passport requirements
- Copies of the data page of your passport
- 2 current biometric passport photos
- Visa application form
- Written declaration of the purpose of your stay in Germany
- Schengen travel health insurance
- Proof of financial resources
- Travel plan (flight reservations, etc.)
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking, rental contract, invitation letter from relatives or friends in Germany with confirmation of accommodation)
- Proof of marital status: e.g., through an extract from the register, marriage certificate, birth certificates of children
- Proof of payment of the visa fee
In addition, there are some special documents for the guest researcher visa:
- Explanation of the purpose of your stay and the research project in Germany
- Proof of your academic qualification
- Letter of invitation and hosting agreement from the German research institution, confirmation of the conditions of your research stay (including information on remuneration or a scholarship)
- As an alternative to the hosting agreement, a regular employment contract
- If applicable: a clearance certificate from your research institution or another employer in your home country (confirming contractual obligations; important for visa issuance as proof of your willingness to return)
The German embassies have the right to request additional documents.
Processing time & visa application fee
On average, the processing time for a guest researcher visa (D visa) takes between 4 and 12 weeks, but longer processing times are also possible. So, you should submit your visa application at least 3 months before the start of your research stay.
The German diplomatic mission in your home country will forward your visa application to the responsible immigration office in Germany – the visa will only be issued after their approval. A pre-approval by the immigration office can considerably shorten the processing time for a guest researcher visa. You can ask your host research institution in Germany to apply for this. For this, the university or research institute will need a copy of your passport and possibly additional documentation. If the advance approval is granted, you will receive written confirmation from your research institution, which you should enclose with your visa application.
German embassies usually issue a short-term Schengen visa for short research stays within 14 days. For this, too, information about a research stay is required for the trip’s purpose.
The visa application fee for German nationals is €75. A Schengen short-term visa costs €90.
Conclusion
Germany offers excellent opportunities for international researchers through its guest scientist visa, which enables academic exchange and research at universities and institutions. The visa provides flexibility, allowing short—and long-term stays, potential extensions, and mobility within the EU. Financial security and health insurance are key requirements; applicants can demonstrate sufficient funds in various ways.
After completing their research stay, scientists have multiple options to continue their career in Germany, including transitioning to a work visa or job-seeker visa. Those meeting the EU Blue Card criteria can benefit from a fast-track path to permanent residency and citizenship. With proper preparation and the right visa strategy, Germany remains an attractive destination for international research professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ
This question is particularly relevant for guest researchers who do not receive any financial support for their stay in Germany. As a rule, a part-time job of 20 hours per week is allowed. However, it is advisable to check with the relevant immigration office in advance.
Spouses and minor children can also come to Germany for your research stay. They need a separate visa; their residence permit is tied to your stay. The main requirement is financial security for you and your family in Germany, including health insurance. Many universities and research institutions offer special family programs for foreign guest researchers.
The immigration office at your residence is responsible for extending your visa/residence permit as a guest researcher. You should apply for an extension at least 2 months before your visa expires. In addition to other documents, you will need a confirmation letter from your research institution regarding the continuation of your scientific work, stating the planned period.
Yes. Foreign scientists and doctoral candidates do not need a visa or residence permit for research stays in another EU or Schengen country of up to 180 days. The German research institution must only report the planned activity to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. For research stays of more than 180 days, you apply to the immigration office for a residence permit for mobile researchers, which is issued for a maximum of 1 year. To achieve this, you will need your passport with the visa, a valid residence permit for a Schengen country, and a letter of acceptance from a German research institution.
If you plan a career in Germany, you have various options at the end of your guest researcher stay. If you have already found your dream employer, you can obtain a regular residence permit — often an EU Blue Card — and apply for it during your research stay.
Alternatively, you can apply for a residence permit to search for a qualified position, which is granted for up to 18 months and with an unrestricted work permit.
