§ 18d Residence Act
The researcher visa according to Section 18d Residence Act is a separate path for scientists and researchers with a hosting agreement from a German research institution. It bypasses the regular labor market admission process – no separate labor market test by the Federal Employment Agency, no salary minimum like with the Blue Card.
Why Section 18d for researchers
The researcher visa is not a special right - it is a procedure tailored to research that reduces bureaucracy.
No check by the Federal Agency
With a regular work visa, the Federal Employment Agency checks whether a person living in Germany could fill the position. With the researcher visa, this test is completely eliminated. The research institution's hosting agreement replaces it.
No salary minimum like with the Blue Card
The Blue Card requires €45,300 gross/year. The researcher visa has no salary limit. The salary only has to secure a living – a realistic standard for all research positions.
Right to short-term residence in other EU countries
Holders of a Section 18d visa are allowed to apply for up to 180 days per year in other EU member states stay for research purposes - without your own visa from the respective country.
The central document
The hosting agreement is the equivalent of the employment contract for a regular work visa. Without them, no research visa. It becomes between the researcher and the host research institution and issued by the institution.
What the document contains – and where it comes from
The hosting agreement is not an employment contract in the legal sense – it is a declaration by the research institution that it will accept the researcher and supports the research project. It is sent by the institution on an internal form or issued according to your own specifications.
Description of the research project
Title, subject area and short description of the project. Must be clearly research in nature – no general employment.
Qualifications of the researcher
Confirmation that the researcher has the required qualifications (doctorate or equivalent) for the project.
Financing livelihoods
The institution declares that the researcher's livelihood is secured during the stay - through salary, scholarship or otherwise.
Duration of stay
Planned duration of the research stay – typically 1–3 years, extendable as long as the project is ongoing.
Covering return travel costs (if necessary)
Some embassies require a declaration that the institution will finance the return trip in the event of an emergency. Not always mandatory – ask the embassy of your country of origin in advance.
Not every company that carries out research is one within the meaning of Section 18d “recognized research institution”. The facility must from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) recognized as a research institution be.
Research institutions
Recognized research institutions according to Section 18d Residence Act are typical state or state-related institutions. Recognition by the BAMF is the basis – Without it, no admission agreement for Section 18d can be issued.
German universities and colleges
All state-recognized universities and technical colleges with research mandates
Helmholtz centers
18 research centers in energy, earth & environment, health, IT, matter, aviation & space travel
Max Planck Institutes
86 institutes and research centers in basic research; internationally leading
Fraunhofer Institutes
76 institutes with application-oriented research; Focus on technology and economics
Leibniz Institutes
96 institutes in the humanities, social sciences, life sciences, natural sciences and technology
Recognized company research
Companies with their own research department can be recognized as a research institution by the BAMF
Requirements & documents
The list of documents is shorter than for a work visa – because the admission agreement takes over the majority of the review. Completeness remains crucial.
Complete list for the embassy appointment
Alternative: Work visa § 18 Alternative: Blue Card § 18g| document | Note |
|---|---|
| Valid passport + 2 copies | Min. Valid for 6 months beyond the end of your stay |
| 2 biometric photographs | 35×45 mm, white background, current |
| Completed visa form | Online, printed, signed |
| Admission agreement the research institution | Original; must contain all mandatory content (project, qualification, financing, duration) |
| Doctoral certificate or equivalent qualification | Certified copy + sworn translation into German |
| CV in German | Academic, with publications and research focuses |
| Proof of BAMF recognition of the facility | Not always required - but recommended to bring with you |
| Proof of health insurance | For the entire planned length of stay |
| Visa fee | 75 € (cash or card, depending on the embassy) |
The application process
Find a position at a BAMF-recognized research institution (university, Max Planck, Helmholtz, Fraunhofer, Leibniz or recognized corporate research) and obtain approval. The institution then issues the admission agreement.
Before applying, check whether the institution is registered with the BAMF as a research institution - otherwise § 18, not § 18d, applies.The institution issues the admission agreement. Check whether all mandatory content is included: Research project, confirmation of qualifications, funding commitment and length of stay. No visa without full agreement.
Book an appointment early. Prepare your doctoral certificate with a certified translation. Bring the original admission agreement with you. Waiting times: 4-16 weeks depending on country of origin.
Short to medium conversation. Research projects, qualifications and hosting agreements are checked. Processing time: 2-6 weeks. No labor market test – much more streamlined process than with a work visa.
Residential registration within 14 days. Apply for a residence permit for researchers (Section 18d Residence Act) at the immigration authority. EU mobility: Once the title has been granted, other EU countries can be visited for research purposes for up to 180 days/year.
You have a position at a German research institution.
Let us clarify whether Section 18d or an alternative is a better fit.
Free · No obligation · 30-45 minutes
As of: May 2026. Lalmano checks content editorially and is based on official information, including from Foreign Office, BAMF and Make it in Germany. The content does not replace individual legal advice.