Visa Application

Most citizens from countries outside the EU, need visa to enter Germany. You can apply for visa at the German Embassy in your country of residence. Please contact this Embassy beforehand in order to get further information about the needs and requirements for the visa.

Please note when applying for a Visa, the reason for your journey should be research purposes.

You will need the following documents for your application:

Invitation letter from the MPI by the MPI department with which you are in working contact.
Valid passport
A biometric photo
A completed and signed application form (available from your local embassy)

Please note: Other documents will be needed according to the duration of your planned stay and wether you are travelling with or without family (spouse, kids). Please browse the webpage of your local embassy for the purpose.

In general, visa is issued for the short term of 90 days as a tourist visa. If you intend to work and stay for a longer time, you need to apply for a work visa which then needs to be extended into a residence permit later on during your stay in Germany.

Do not enter Germany with a tourist visa if you are planning work or study here for more than three months. Tourist visas cannot be altered into a residence permit!

Citizens from EU countries will only need a valid passport to enter Germany.

More information on the entry of residence in Germany can be found on the webpage of the German Foreign Affairs Office.