| Universität Bielefeld > International > Information for internationally mobile scientists and their families > First Steps in Bielefeld > Registration Procedures |
From September 1st, 2011 the electronic residence permit (eAT) is being issued as a separate document in credit-card format incorporating a number of electronic functions. All non-EU nationals will obtain their own card.
This means an extension of the period of time between the application and the receipt of the residence permit - it might take up to seven weeks. There is also an increase of costs: the fee for the residence permit is now 111.00€, for a prolongation 55.00€. Everybody who has to travel to another country in the meantime and/or will be employed can ask for a so-called "Fiktionsbescheinigung" at the foreigners-office to bridge the waiting period. The fee is 20.00€ and a copy must be given to the employer.
For more information about the electronic residence permit in short as well as in the brochure of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees "All you need to know about the electronic residence permit (eAT)" which will also be handed to you at the foreigners' office. Here you can download the brochure in many other languages in PDF-format.
For foreigners, who have to enter on a visa, any stay exceeding the period
validated by the visa must be authorised. In order to do this you need to
obtain a residence permit. This also applies to foreigners who are eligible
to enter the country without a visa for stays of one to three months. If
you want to stay for more than three months, you must register with the
ResidentsRegistration Office within the first week after your arrival.
Subsequently your visa, which is only valid for entering the country, will
be replaced by a residence permit. Foreigners who wish to pursue employment
in Germany usually require a residence permit authorising employment.
Citizens of the European Union,
members of the EEA
and citizens of Switzerland are covered by the terms of the free movement of
workers. They do not require permission to pursue employment. Citizens
of the New EU Member States
(apart from Cyprus and Malta) are not fully covered by the terms of the free
movement of workers for up to seven years after joining the European Union.
They require an EU work permit allowing them to pursue their intended
occupation in Germany. The seven-year rule applying to the Czech Republic,
Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia
came to an end on 30.04.2011. Nationals of these countries therefore enjoy
complete freedom of movement for workers in Germany since 01.05.2011.
Nationals of Bulgaria and Romania will still require an EU work permit
until 31.12.2013. Special regulations for academics from the new member
states have been in force since 01.01.2009 (see below for further details).
Foreigners may be granted a residence permit for the purpose of research if they have concluded an effective hosting agreement with a recognised research institution in order to pursue a research project. At Bielefeld University, the Welcome Centre is in charge of the signing of hosting agreements. For more information, please click here.
There is a new residence permit named "EU Blue card" §19 AufenthG.
For more information, please click here.
Foreign doctoral students are usually not issued with residence permits for the purpose of research. They have to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of studying. Exception: doctoral students may be issued a residence permit for research purposes if their dissertation is produced within the context of a research activity that is subject to a hosting agreement with a research institution.
Foreigners who are sent from a research institution in another EU Member State in order to work at a German research institution are not issued with residence permits for the purpose of research. On principle, they have to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of pursuing gainful employment.
The highly-qualified persons are allowed to immigrate providing they have a job. They are immediately eligible for (indefinite) leave to remain. This automatically authorises you to pursue gainful employment. You merely have to submit an application to the Immigration Office. "The highly-qualified" are defined as academics with particular specialised knowledge, academic teaching personnel and research staff in leading positions.
Marital partners usually obtain the same type of residence permit.
In the case of graduates from abroad, the residence permit may be extended for up to a year after the successful completion of studies in order to search for employment.
As of 1 January 2009, the German labour market has been opened to academics (holders of university degrees) from the new EU Member States by waiving the so-called "Vorrangprüfung" (labour market test), which assesses whether a German national or another entitled foreign worker can be given priority in filling the position. The labour market will also be opened to academics from non-EU countries at this point. The labour market test will, however, remain active in respect of this group.
If you want to spend time in Germany researching on the basis of a fellowship, provided that the fellowship secures your livelihood, and depending on the circumstances, you may be eligible for a residence permit for the purpose of either research or studying.
To apply for a residence permit for marriage partners and unmarried minors who are accompanying you or joining you, you will additionally need:
If applications are not made jointly, you will also need to provide your family members with a copy of your valid passport, a copy of your valid residence permit, and a proof of health insurance.
The registration office and the foreigners-office are located in the Bürgeramt:
Bürgeramt im Neuen Rathaus
Niederwall 23
33602 Bielefeld
Registration Office
Phone: 0521-51-0
E-Mail: buegerberatung@bielefeld.de
Opening Hours:
Monday, Tuesday,
Friday 7.30 - 16h
Wednesday 7.30 - 13h
Thursday 7.30 - 18h
Saturday 9.30 - 12.30h
Foreigners' office
Phone: 0521-51-0
Fax: 0521 - 51 6195
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday 8 - 12h
Thursday also 14.30 - 18h
 |
Our team |
|---|
For more information, please see the Euraxess portal.
| |
Our team |
|---|
Deutsch
