Please note that changes have been made to the Skilled Immigration Act as of November 2023. Further changes will be made in March 2024 and June 2024. Not all of these changes have been taken into account on our website. You can find an overview of the changes here.
International Office
Welcome Centre
Residence Titles
On this website you will find information about the residence titles, which are most often relevant for researchers and their family members.
Weltkarte mit Playmobil
RUB, Marquard
Disclaimer
Despite thorough research and consultation with the Foreigners' Office in Bochum, errors or omissions may occur. We accept no liability whatsoever for the information provided here. The content on the site does not constitute a substitute for legal advice.
As of: February 2024.
Foreigners' Office in Bochum
The jurisdiction of the Foreigners' Office always depends on the place of residence.
So, if you live in Bochum, you need to apply for a residence title at the Foreigners' Office in Bochum
Here you can find an overview of the contact options for the Foreigners' Office. Please contact the office responsible for your request.
Alternatively, you can contact the Welcome Centre so we can arrange an appointment for you.
Residence permits for researchers
Work permit
Please note that any gainful employment is only permitted with a suitable work permit*! This also includes research without a contract of employment.
*Exceptions apply only for stays of no more than 90 days for nationals of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America.
Depending on your personal situation, you may be eligible for different residence titles.
Residence permit for the purpose of study (§16b Residence Act)
This paragraph is aimed at students and can therefore also apply to doctoral students who are enrolled in a doctoral programme. Section 18d Residence Act may also apply to doctoral students. The following applies: "Doctoral candidates fall within the group of section 18d Residence Act only in those cases in which the research activity is not exclusively carried out for the purpose of preparing a doctoral dissertation. This would, for example, be the case, if the dissertation is produced within the frame of an employment contract. See section 19f (3) sentence 2 Residence Act" (HRK).
Residence permit for the purpose of research (§18d Residence Act)
This residence permit is issued for the purpose of carrying out research.
The residence permit for research may also be possible for doctoral students. You can find the distinction to the residence permit for studies under §16b.
Blue Card EU (§18g Residence Act)
This residence title is aimed at qualified professionals. The prerequisite for the issuance of the EU Blue Card is a university degree as well as an employment relationship with a gross annual salary of €45,300, or €41,041.80 (as of January 2024) for highly qualified persons in certain bottleneck professions as well as people who have graduated from university within the last three years.
Residence permit for the purpose of job searching (§20 Residence Act)
After completing a degree, a research stay, or an employment relationship, foreign nationals can apply for a residence permit for the purpose of job searching. The period for which this is issued depends on the type of previous residence permit, please note that funding must be ensured throughout. Typically, the periods are as follows:
Purpose of study (§16b) –18 months
Purpose of research (§18d) – 9 months
Blue Card EU (§18g) – 6 months
Residence for family reasons (§§ 27 - 36a Residence Act)
Close family members of researchers can apply for a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification if the requirements are met.
Settlement permit for professionals (§18c Residence Act)
The settlement permit is a permanent residence title. If all requirements are met, the application is usually possible after five years, but many researchers have the opportunity to apply for it earlier.
You can apply for a settlement permit if
- you have been in possession of a residence permit according to §§ 18a, 18b or 18d for at least four years
- you have been in possession of a residence permit according to §§ 18a, 18b or 18d for at least two years and have a degree from a German university
- you currently have a Blue Card EU and have met all requirements for the Blue Card for a minimum of 21 months
- you currently have a Blue Card EU and have met all requirements for the Blue Card for a minimum of 33 months (requires lesser German language skills)
- you are considered a "highly qualified" specialist. This applies to scientists with special technical knowledge, or teachers in a prominent position, or scientific employees in a prominent position
- If you wish to apply for this settlement permit, please contact the Welcome Centre.
A requirement for all applications for a settlement permit (with the exception of settlement for highly qualified specialists) is proof of
- securing a livelihood
- pension insurance contributions paid
- knowledge of German
- basic knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany
Collecting the residence title card
If your application for a residence title is approved during the appointment at the Foreigners’ Office Bochum, you will either receive an appointment for the collection of the residence title card or a letter with further instructions on how to get the residence title card.
Please note that the letter regarding the electronic ID function is not your residence permit. This letter merely means that your residence title has been printed in Berlin and is on its way to the relevant Foreigners' Office.
Arrival and residence
Welcome Centre