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On this website you can find information on how to apply for a residence title in Bochum and on the types of residence titles that are generally relevant for international researchers and their family members.
The jurisdiction of the Foreigners' Office depends on the place of residence.
If you live in Bochum and are registered here, you need to apply for your residence title at the Foreigners' Office in Bochum.
The information provided here refers to applications for the issuance or extension of residence titles in Bochum. The procedure may differ in other cities, so please check with the relevant Foreigners' Office.
Please contact the department responsible for your request.
In Bochum, you can submit an online application to apply for or extend your residence title.
Important information: Biometric photos can now only be submitted in certain digital formats. For this purpose, there are photo booths available for use in some Citizens' Offices, among other places. The photos can be taken up to 14 days before the appointment.
Depending on your personal situation, you may be eligible for different residence titles. If you are entering with a visa, it should already be issued for the appropriate purpose. A change of purpose when applying for a residence title in Germany is usually only intended if the situation changes.
Please note that any gainful employment is only permitted with a suitable work permit*! This also includes research without a contract of employment.
*Exceptions may apply to research stays of no more than 90 days within a period of twelve months for persons who can enter the country without a visa (cf. §30 BeschV (Ordinance on the Employment of Foreigners)). This should be confirmed in advance by the responsible embassy.
This section is aimed at students and can therefore also apply to PhD students who are enrolled in a doctoral programme.
Section 18d Residence Act may also apply. PhD students “fall within the group of section 18d Residence Act only if the dissertation is produced within the frame of an employment contract with the university. See section 19f (3) sentence 2 Residence Act" (HRK).
The REST-Directive might apply.
This residence title is issued for the purpose of carrying out research.
The residence title for research may also be possible for doctoral students. You can find the distinction to the residence title for studies under §16b. Please note the regulations on health insurance.
When applying for this residence title, you always need a hosting agreement.
The REST-Directive might apply
The Blue Card can only be obtained if you are, among other things, employed with a specific gross annual salary. The regular gross annual salary is at least €48,300*. If you work in an understaffed profession and/or have obtained a university degree in the last three years, a gross annual salary of at least €43,759.80* is enough.
(*as of 2025)
When applying for this residence title, you always need a declaration of employment. This can be requested from the Administrative Department 3 Human Resources and Legal Affairs.
After the successful completion of a university degree or the end of a research stay or an employment relationship, foreign nationals can apply for a residence title for the purpose of employment seeking. Which residence title can be applied for depends on the type of the previous residence title.
After a stay with a residence title in accordance with §§ 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 18d or 18f, you can apply for the residence title for foreigners seeking employment following stays in the federal territory (§20 Residence Act). If the requirements are met, the residence title is issued for up to 18 months and cannot be extended beyond this period.
After a stay with a residence title for educational purposes or for the purpose of economic activity not mentioned above (e.g. the EU Blue Card), you can apply for the Opportunity Card (§20a Residence Act) in Germany. It can be issued for up to 12 months and possibly extended, provided a suitable contract of employment or job offer is available.
In order for either residence title to be issued, funding must be ensured throughout.
Family members of researchers can apply for a residence title for the purpose of family reunification if the requirements are met.
For further information, please contact the relevant Foreigners' Office or the relevant diplomatic representation.
The settlement permit is a permanent residence title. If all requirements are met, the application is usually possible after five years, but many researchers can apply for it earlier.
You can apply for a settlement permit earlier if, among other things, you
This information is intended as a first orientation. Please contact the relevant Foreigners' Office for a complete list of the required documents.
If you are staying in an EU country other than Germany for research or study purposes and would like to spend a temporary stay in Germany, you may be covered by the European Union's REST-Directive. Further information on this can be found at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
If this directive could apply to you, please inform us as soon as possible.
Under certain circumstances, you may be able to become a naturalized citizen of Germany now or in the future:
Please also check in advance the regulations of your home country regarding dual citizenship.
There are two possibilities for collecting your documents from the Foreigners' Office:
Usually, you provide your cell phone number at the time of application and then you will receive a text message with the information necessary for collection. You can collect the residence title card via the document dispensing box at city hall.
In exceptional cases (e.g., if you need to collect additional documents that cannot be deposited in the document dispensing box, if you need to pay fees, etc.), you will receive a letter with further instructions on how to obtain your residence title and a QR code to check the availability of your residence title, which you must then collect in person from the Foreigners' Office.
Information on collection can be found here.
Please note that the letter regarding the electronic ID function is not your residence title. This letter just means that your electronic residence title has been printed in Berlin and is on its way to the relevant Foreigners' Office.
Despite thorough research and consultation with the Foreigners' Office in Bochum, errors or omissions may occur. We accept no liability for the information provided here. The content of this website does not constitute a substitute for legal advice.
As of: October 2025.
