Hello,

I'm currently a non-EU PhD student in Germany in Ba-Wu, I have §16 student visa and I have a TV-L E13/2 (50%). I will get a postdoc position and a contract equivalent to TV-L E13 75% or 100% (31,000 to 41,000 Jahresbrutto).

As far as I understand they can potentially issue me 2 types of visas:

§18 Work wisa: That's the type of visa I'd really prefer. However I heard it is hard to get, the ZAV has to investigate that there are no German/EU citizens available for the job and the payment is commensurate with that of a German/EU citizen. I heard that this can take a long time and may not be issued at the end.

I also heard that if you have a German Uni. degree the ZAV investigation is not necessary, I don't know if that's true.

§20 Research Visa: Much easier than work visa, therefore I believe it is the preferred way to employ non-EU postdocs, I'm afraid the Auslanderbehorde will insist that I get that.

Are there any postdocs among you or somebody with knowledge? What kind of visa do you have? Do you think I can get a work visa?

Thanks for your time and answers,