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Address: https://welcome.dresden.de/en/residence-permits/limited-residence-permit/doctoral-studies-and-mobility-in-the-course-of-the-studies.php Last revision: 08.07.2020 13:38:09 Uhr Printed on: 25.04.2024 06:49:44 Uhr

Doctoral studies and mobility

A residence permit according to Sect. 16b AufenthG entitles the holder to study at a German university and can be applied for by doctoral students whose main focus during their stay is obtaining a doctorate. If you are studying full-time, you have a legal right to this residence permit. In the case of part-time studies or a conditional enrolment, the immigration authorities will decide at their discretion to grant you a residence permit.

Conditions for the right of residence

You are studying for a doctorate at a state university, state-approved university or similar institution.
(As proof you must either submit the notification of admission from the doctoral office of the faculty or the registration on the doctoral list of the university or proof of enrolment. An invitation from your PhD/doctoral supervisor is not sufficient.
You are entering Germany with the correct visa or register with the responsible immigration authorities as a visa-free person within 90 days of your entry (see "Residence Permit Visa" for more detailed information).
Your livelihood is secured. This means that you are covered by a health insurance plan that covers all necessary medical treatments without incurring any further costs and thus corresponds to the level of a German statutory health insurance plan. To this end you must present a current membership certificate of your health insurance company.
In addition, you must have at least 853 euros per month (equivalent to the German funding rate for students) to cover your expenses. You can provide proof of compliance with this requirement, for example, in the form of a blocked account, a letter of undertaking, a scholarship or proof of other income.)
Your identity is not in question and you have a passport.
There is nothing against you to warrant deportation and your stay does not endanger the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Further information can be found in our decision sheet.

Since 2017, the residence permit for students has also entailed improved intra-European mobility. As part of the implementation of the European REST Directive (2016/801), you have the opportunity to study in another EU member state with a German student residence permit - which you are legally entitled to - for part of your studies. Similarly, students who have been granted a student residence permit in another EU member state can complete part of their studies in Germany for up to 360 days.

Your host university in the respective destination country will carry out the necessary procedure with the competent authorities.

Please note that the responsible authorities first have to examine the legal requirements and that you cannot directly enter the country and continue your studies. You will receive a notice from the national authorities (in Germany: the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees) when the procedure has been completed and you can enter the other country as part of your mobility and continue your studies.

Please note:

A doctorate cannot be classically assigned to a residence purpose in the German Residence Act. Doctoral candidates can apply for a residence permit either as a student or as a Researcher. In the case of a doctorate, they can also apply for an EU Blue Card in addition to full-time employment.