SAFE Labs

CNIDevoLab_2025: We provide guidance to lab members in their visa application process. No language test is required, and typically people will be under a scheme dedicated to skilled applicants (“Passeport Talent”). Timeframe might vary according to nationalities and other unpredictable parameters. More information can be found here.

GalupaLab_2025: Our HR department will help with all the paperwork necessary for obtaining a working visa. Regarding the costs, unfortunately at the moment I cannot guarantee that we can cover them, due to administrative rules. But I am working on finding ways for this to be the case, and ideally covering travel expenses too for incoming lab members.

Visa availability and support is a complex topic since this depends on the type of position and country of origin. Please consult these information (https://hic.hu-berlin.de/en/berlin-perspectives/practical_information) and the institue’s international office here (https://www.international.hu-berlin.de/en). It might be possible to cover visa cost, which can be discussed during interviewing, hiring, and onboarding.

ReinhardLab_2025: See section “Onboarding” for information. Briefly, all Visa related questions are handled by the student secretariat (for PhD students) or the mobility office (for all other researchers). PhD students hired through the graduate school are entitled to a relocation contribution (500 Euro for EU members, 1000 Euro for overseas), a living expenses contribution (150 Euro per month) and a contribution to a personal laptop (400 Euro). For postdocs, relocation contributions can only be paid if the postdoc is paid by external funds (grants, fellowships). Whenever this is the case, we commit to the legally possible contributions (500 for EU, 1000 for overseas).

RossiLab_2025:If you are not Italian or EU citizen, you will likely need a visa to work or study in Italy. Visas are a complex topic, but luckily IIT has a dedicated office for visa support. If interested in applying, please get in touch with Federico, who can point to the relevant contacts. Visas may require up to 6 months, so remember to plan early. IIT can leverage agreements with the local authorities to get priority appointments, speeding up the process by a few weeks. Researchers moving Italy are entitled to a refund for accommodation of the first 7 nights after relocation; at the end of the contract, the travel for relocation abroad will also be covered. Typically visa expenses are not covered by IIT contracts. Depending on the source of funding being used to hire a lab member, Federico may be able to cover some of the expenses. If not described in the call, please discuss this possibility with Federico directly.

CoenLab_2025: If you do not have the right-to-work in the UK (either as a UK citizen, or through a different scheme) you will likely need a visa to join the lab as a postdoctoral researcher, or similar position. Information about visas can be found on the UCL website here. Visas, such as the skilled worker visa (most common for postdoctoral researchers) come with significant upfront costs. Some of these costs can be covered by UCL. Often, the full costs can be covered–including costs for partners and family members. However, this is not always the case, and does depend on the source of finds being used to hire a lab member. If this information is not clear from a job advertisement, or you are interested in applying for a position via an external grant or fellowship, please raise your concerns with Pip directly.

AeryJonesLab_2026: The visa process in the US is outrageously complicated, cumbersome, and expensive. Work with me and the UMB Office of International Services to ensure your visa paperwork and fees are submitted in a timely manner. Expect the process to take several months at least. Whenever possible, the lab funds all visa application fees. Note that most visas come with expiration dates and are tied to a specific employer. Work with me well in advance of the visa expiration or before moving on to your next job so we can work together to transition your visa.