ASTI

Residence permit for researchers

What is this?

For a third party country national who wishes to move to Luxembourg for a period of more than three months to carry out a research project.
 

Conditions to be fulfilled

The person must hold a higher education diploma giving access to doctorate programmes and must have a host agreement signed with a research organisation.
 
Steps to be taken
The person must send an application for a residence permit on blank paper for the attention of the Minister of Immigration before entering Luxembourg.

He or she must indicate his or her identity (full name and contact details) and enclose the following documents:
•    a full copy of his or her passport, certified as true to the original;
•    a birth certificate;
•    an extract of the police record or an affidavit;
•    a host agreement signed in advance with an accredited research organisation;
•    an agreement to cover costs. It is the research organisation which should provide this agreement to cover costs. (see also pdf file on commitments to cover costs)

N.B. The documents to be submitted must have an apostil added by the competent local authority in the country of origin or certified by the competent local authority in the country of origin and authenticated by the embassy. If the documents are not written in German, French or English, a certified translation by a sworn translator must be enclosed.

If a positive response is received, he or she must submit, within a period of 90 days after obtaining the residence permit and if subject to a visa requirement, a "D+C" type visa application to Luxembourg’s diplomatic or consular representation in the country of origin, accompanied by the following documents:
•    a valid authorisation permit letter;
•    a national passport or recognised travel document valid for a further period of at least three months after the end of the validity period of the visa applied for.

The visa, valid for three months, is affixed in the passport.
The person must then enter Luxembourg within 90 days following issue of the residence permit.

 

Formalities to be carried out in Luxembourg

Within three working days from the date of entering the country, he or she must go to the commune authorities in the place he or she intends to reside, with the residence permit, to make a declaration of arrival. A copy of the declaration will be issued as receipt.
Possession of the receipt and residence permit provides proof of legal residence until the full residence permit is issued. The applicant must undergo a medical examination. The procedures for this examination are defined by the Luxembourg regulation (règlement grand-ducal) of 3 February 2009 on health check-ups.

Before the end of a three-month period, the applicant should contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain a residence permit by submitting the following documents:
•    a copy certified as true of the residence permit issued by the minister;
•    a copy certified as true of the arrival declaration drawn up by the commune authorities;
•    a medical certificate attesting that he or she fulfils the medical conditions authorising his residence, issued by a doctor established in Luxembourg;
•    proof of suitable housing, if required;
•    a recent photo, format 45/35 mm, taken from straight ahead with uncovered face, the head being at least 20 mm high, complying with ICAO/OACI standards;
•    proof of the payment/transfer of the issue duty of 30 EUR, to account CCPL n° LU46 1111 2582 2814 0000 (beneficiary: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Immigration; communication: residence permit in the name of…)

Decision – waiting times – appeals

The period for a response from the Ministry is a maximum of three months.
This period starts from the time the dossier submitted is complete. An incomplete application is not considered and is returned to the person.

If the response is negative or no response is received within three months the person may make an appeal before the Administrative Court.
 

Miscellaneous – Useful information

A researcher from a third party country who has obtained long-term resident status in another EU member state and who has obtained a residence permit as researcher in Luxembourg obtains a residence permit valid for a period of five years.


NB: This text is only a summary drawn up by ASTI asbl. Only the text of the law is valid.