Working & Researching in HeidelbergInformation for host institutes

International scholars from non-EU countries with at least a doctoral degree can generally apply for a residence permit for researchers (§18d Residence Act) or a Blue Card EU (§18g Residence Act). The Blue Card is only issued to scholars with a working contract and a minimum income.

Depending on the kind of residence permit, following documents must be presented along with an invitation letter at a German Embassy or Consulate in the researcher´s home country for the application for a visa:

1. For the application of a researcher's residence permit (§18d Residence Act) a hosting agreement is required. This hosting agreement is issued centrally and exclusively by the Welcome Centre (except the Medical Faculties).
2. For the application of a Blue Card (§18g Residence Act) a hosting agreement is not required. However, the Declaration of Employment Relationship must be presented. The host institute has to fill in this form.

Please contact us, in case you need a hosting agreement. Researchers at the Medical Faculty Heidelberg obtain their hosting agreement from the HR-Department of Heidelberg University Hospital. International scholars researching at the Medical Faculty Mannheim please contact the administration office of the Faculty.

Doctoral students are still eligible for a student´s residence permit (§16 Residence Act). For this purpose, they need to present the letter of admission at the Embassy for a Visa. For the application for a residence permit at the local Immigration office, the confirmation of enrolment is required. 

In some particular cases (for example, doctoral students with children, for their application for children or parental allowance), doctoral students with a working contract (up to 50%) can also apply for a researcher´s residence permit (§18d Residence Act). For this purpose, a hosting agreement is required.

Doctoral students with a working contract of more than 50% cannot obtain a student´s residence permit (§16 Residence Act). They have to apply for a researcher´s residence permit (§18d Residence Act) and need therefore a hosting agreement. In that case, please contact the Welcome Centre.

For more information visit the website of the Graduate Academy.        

In order to improve and extend the services provided to both international scholars and their hosts, the Welcome Centre operates an online portal for visiting scholars. The different functions on this portal are at disposal of both the international scholars and the institutes and research institutions of Heidelberg University.

Bei Einstellung internationaler Wissenschaftler an Ihrem Institut sollten Sie an die Auswahlmöglichkeit zwischen VBL klassik und der Befreiungsmöglichkeit für befristet wissenschaftliche Beschäftigte denken und gegebenenfalls dem Wissenschaftler erklären. Unter folgendem Link finden Sie nützliche Erklärungsvideos zu diesem Thema.

Dieses Thema finden Sie in Englisch sehr gut aufgearbeitet im Portal "Find Your Pension" als Factsheets mit allen Fragen dazu aufgelistet.

Ausführliche Information zum Rentensystem finden Sie hier.

The Central Office for Translations of Baden-Württemberg offers English translations of German administrative documents (forms, contracts, etc.) for the universities in Baden-Württemberg.