If you receive a “residence permit for researchers” you will automatically be given a work permit. You can find more information on the “residence permit for researchers” on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees: www.bamf.de/forschungsaufenthalte

???aural:Bildanfang??????Großansicht des Bildes???© Hofmann???aural:Bildende???

Grant holders, research assistants and research associates working at scientific-research institutes funded exclusively or mainly from public funds do not usually need a work permit. However, you should check with your future employer or sponsor whether this special regulation applies to you.

Visiting academics and researchers generally receive a residence permit for research purposes that allows them to take up gainful employment. Approval by the Federal Employment Agency is not generally required.

Current information can be also found on the following websites:

• The latest version of the Immigration Act:
  http://www.workpermit.com/germany/employer1.htm
• Information by the DAAD on legal regulations pertaining to the pursuit of gainful em-ployment:
  http://www.daad.de/imperia/md/content/de/deutschland/downloads/info_employment.pdf
• Detailed information on the background and legal basis of immigration in Germany, provided by the German Federal Ministry of the Interior (in German):
  http://www.zuwanderung.de/cln_156/ZUW/DE/Home/home_node.html
• Catalogue of FAQs on the subject of “Working and Living in Germany”, compiled by the German Federal Foreign Office:
  http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Infoservice/FAQ/ArbeitenLebenDeutschland/Uebersicht.html?nn=479790
• Practical information and helpful links related to “Employment in Germany”, offered by the Federal Employment Agency:
  http://www.arbeitsagentur.de/nn_426134/EN/Navigation/zentral/Arbeiten/Arbeiten-Nav.html

Will my spouse be allowed to work in Germany?

???aural:Bildanfang??????Großansicht des Bildes???© Hofmann ???aural:Bildende???

Many spouses wish to accompany their husband or wife, when these go on a research visit or stay to Germany, and to work during their stay in Germany. Generally, spouses of foreigners who intend to take up regular employment need a work permit (exceptions: nationals from EU countries, or from Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway). Spouses of research grant holders, who wish to take up employment, must inform the German consulate before they leave for Germany and apply for the respective residence permit (i.e. a permit that allows "employment ").

The work permit itself must be applied for at the local Employment Agency in Germany. This should be done immediately after arrival, since the application may take several weeks to process.

If you have a “residence permit for researchers” your spouse will be allowed to work in Germany. To find out more about the “residence permit for researchers” please see: www.bamf.de/forschungsaufenthalte