how to get a visa to live in germany

• Ask the embassy for a checklist of the required documents for your visa type you wish to apply for.
• Fulfill the application form with correct information and obtain the required documents for your visa.
• Appoint an interview at the German embassy in your country of residence. The earliest you can schedule the appointment is six months prior to your trip.
• Pay the visa fee and save the receipt in order to show it later to the consular officer during the interview.
• Show up on time at the embassy for your meeting with all the required documents with you arranged in the given order. ...

What are the requirements for a German Visa?

Germany Visa Requirements. Here are the documents required for a Germany visa application: Germany Visa Application Form. Valid Passport. Two identical Germany Visa Photos. Proof of Accommodation in Germany. Transportation / Round trip reservation or itinerary. Adequate Health Insurance Coverage.

Can you get a German work visa without a degree?

You do not need a university degree to get a German work visa. You need a university degree for the job seeker visa. Getting a job in Germany, Depending on your nationality getting a job in Germany without a degree can be easy or hard. People from the EU/EEA can take any employment without restrictions.

Is it difficult to get a working visa to Germany?

Getting a work visa for Germany is not that difficult. Really. We show you how. Before we start: The goal here is not to explain everything in detail, but to give you a feel for the bureaucratic ...

How can I check my visa status for Germany?

How can I Check My German Visa Status? If you wish to check the status of your German visa application you can go online to do so using the tracking service. You simply enter the reference number given to you and your last name. You will enter the tracking service and will be told the status of your application and when your passport will be ...

How can I legally live in Germany?

To be eligible to move to Germany, you must fulfil the following criteria:Prove Financial Stability. ... Have Health Insurance. ... Have at Least Basic Proficiency in German. ... Get a German Visa. ... Standard Residence Permit. ... European Union (EU) Blue Card. ... Settlement Permit or Permanent Residence Permit.

How much is a visa to live in Germany?

Fee payments You will pay the 110 Euros if you are applying for the first time for a residence permit. If you are applying for extensions, the fee is 80 Euros. You must pay these fees for your application to be processed and considered.

How do I get a living permit in Germany?

To get your residence permit in Germany as a language course student, your application must include:Valid passport.1 current 35mm x 45mm biometric photo.Proof of health insurance.Proof of residence.Completed residence permit application form—also known as the Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels.More items...•

Can I move to Germany without a job?

Is It Possible to Move to Germany Without a Job? Moving to Germany without a job is possible for American citizens, but it's not as easy and it's usually recommended for those who want to immigrate to Germany.

How can I stay in Germany permanently?

But, if you want to become a permanent resident of Germany, then you need to apply for a Permanent Residence Permit. These are only issued after living in Germany for a period of more than five years, and you must have had a temporary residence permit or visa for that length of time.

How long can I stay in Germany without a visa?

90 daysGenerally speaking, all other foreigners require a visa for stays in Germany. A visa is not required for visits of up to 90 days in an 180‑day period for nationals of those countries for which the European Community has abolished the visa requirement.

How can I get temporary residency in Germany?

How to Apply for a German Temporary Residence Permit?Enter in Germany with the right Visa. ... Register your German address. ... Get Health Insurance. ... Open a Bank Account. ... Fill an application form and set an appointment. ... Have your documents ready. ... Attend your appointment.

How long does it take to get a residency permit in Germany?

Upon submission of all required documents the application will be forwarded to the Aliens' Authority (Ausländerbehörde) competent for your intended place of residence in Germany. Applications take about 1-3 months to be processed.

Do I need a visa to move to Germany?

A residence visa is required if you intend to stay in Germany for more than 90 days for work or study or if you intend to move to Germany permanently.

Can you live in Germany without being a citizen?

German Residence Permit Categories. Whether you plan to work or not, any stay in Germany over 90 days requires a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel, “residence title”) for non-EU citizens. Unlike in former times, there is no separate work permit and residence permit.

How long can I stay in Germany without a visa?

90 daysGenerally speaking, all other foreigners require a visa for stays in Germany. A visa is not required for visits of up to 90 days in an 180‑day period for nationals of those countries for which the European Community has abolished the visa requirement.

How can I stay in Germany longer than 90 days?

For long-term stays (more than 90 days, e.g. to attend University, work or join a Family member) in Germany, non- EU -nationals need a visa. National visas are issued for long-term stays for a particular purpose. Usually issued for 90 days, such visas may be issued for up to a year in certain cases.

How to apply for a German visa?

Germany Visa Application Process 1 Ask the embassy for a checklist of the required documents for your visa type you wish to apply for. 2 Fulfill the application form with correct information and obtain the required documents for your visa. 3 Appoint an interview at the German embassy in your country of residence. The earliest you can schedule the appointment is six months prior to your trip. 4 Pay the visa fee and save the receipt in order to show it later to the consular officer during the interview. 5 Show up on time at the embassy for your meeting with all the required documents with you arranged in the given order. The meeting will last around ten minutes, during which the consular officer will look at your documents and ask you a few questions regarding your background and purpose of your trip to Germany.

How long do you have to stay in Germany to get a visa?

On the other hand, even if you are a passport holder of any of these countries, but your purpose is other than tourism or business, and you need to remain in Germany for more than 90 days within a 6-month period, then you will still need to obtain a visa.

What is the minimum travel insurance for Schengen?

Health Insurance – a document that confirms you have obtained travel health insurance that covers illnesses and accidents, and even repatriation in case of death, as well as the whole Schengen Area with a minimum coverage of € 30.000.

What is a guest scientist visa?

Guest Scientist Visa – for scientists or researchers who have been invited by an institution to carry out a study or research.

What is a family reunion visa?

Family Reunion Visa to Join a Relative or a Partner – which is a visa for family members of German residents, who wish to join them in Germany.

Is Germany demanding for a visa?

Germany however is quite demanding on the issue, and it is recommendable to fulfill each request meticulously to the last detail. Usually, the German embassy in each country has an updated checklist of the Germany Visa requirements for each type of visa. The following documents are required for any Germany visa application: ...

Is it cheaper to travel to Germany or Canada?

The German and Europe visas, in general, are quite cheaper than visas to the US, Canada, or even India. Moreover, with a single visa, you will be able to explore most of the old continent.

How long can you stay in Germany with a residence permit?

A German residence permit allows you to stay in Germany for a more extended period than only 90 days. During that time, you can study, work, or engage in other activities in the country.

How long does it take to get a residence permit in Germany?

Many foreign nationals will have to apply for the residence permit for Germany from their home countries or get a Schengen visa to enter Germany for 90 days. For some countries, though, it is possible to enter Germany without a visa during those first 90 days and apply for the residence permit from inside the country.

What Is a German Residence Permit?

If your only goal is to visit Germany for touristic purposes, you don’t have to fret about a residence permit. A tourist visa allows you to stay in Germany for about 90 days and explore the country and all it has to offer. Staying beyond the permitted 90 days is not possible though without a residence permit.

What happens if you don't register your address in Germany?

If you don’t register your address, you could get fined, and your permit might be denied. After you complete this requirement, you will get a certificate which you can attach to your documents .

How to stay in Germany?

To be allowed to stay in Germany for as long as you want to, you need to get the German Permanent Residence Permit. A permanent residence permit is also called the Settlement Permit or in German, Niederlassungserlaubnis. With a permanent residence permit, you can work in Germany and travel in and out of the country whenever you need.

How long can a student work in Germany?

They usually get a residence permit for the length of their program. During their education, they can work full time for 120 days or half-time for 240 days. Besides, they can engage in work-study positions. However, they cannot enter long term contracts.

How long can you stay in Germany after a degree?

After they finish their degree, students can extend their temporary permit for another 18 months to find a job in Germany. German authorities allow this since they want to retain educated people within the country. If the students find a job, they can then apply for an Employment Residence Permit.

How long does a study visa last in Germany?

This preparatory study visa can be granted for two years maximum. This means that you have two years in order to fulfil all the requirements for studying in Germany. In this time you should be able to master the German language and get acquainted with the German culture.

What do you need to write a business plan for Germany?

Business Plan: You must provide evidence that you have business clients that want to work with you in Germany. You should also mentioned your relevant business experience in the field, the impact of your business project on employment and skills. You may want to mention how Germany benefits from your business.

How long is a residence permit valid for?

The residence permit is issued for a period of six months and does not represent an entitlement to practice an occupation. You can apply for this type of visa one time only.

How to get an au pair visa?

To get an au pair visa, you must find a German host family. You need official proof that the host family is happy to accept you. There is a variety of websites and agencies that help you find a trustworthy host family.

What is the benefit of EU Blue Card?

The great advantage of the EU Blue Card is that is allows you to work not only in Germany but in other EU countries. This way you remain flexible when it comes to switching jobs and moving to another EU country!

Do you have to be enrolled in German universities?

In other words, you must be enrolled or have conditional approval for studying in order to be issued a residence permit)

How long can you stay in Germany with an unlimited residence permit?

If you maintain your status as an entrepreneur in Germany, you will also be allowed unlimited extensions of your residence permit after three years. Unlimited extensions of your residence permit mean that you can enter and leave the country whenever you want.

How to move to Germany for work?

The steps to moving to Germany for work are the following: Find a job in Germany, which accepts foreign nationals, Apply for the Germany Working (employment) Visa, Move to Germany and get the working residence permit.

Why is Germany considered a good country to move to?

This favorability is due to its well-performing economy, education system, and employment opportunities. People from all over the world want to have a chance to move to Germany. This article will focus on information about how to move to Germany and general immigration to Germany.

What is the EU Blue Card?

The EU Blue Card is given to foreign national workers (who are not citizens of EU countries) who have high qualifications and want to work in Germany and apply those skills. High qualifications mean that the person has an undergraduate or graduate degree in any given field.

Can entrepreneurs work in Germany?

However, it is advisable for entrepreneurs to work with business immigration lawyers who can oversee their applications and business plans .

Can an unskilled worker immigrate to Germany?

However, if you are an unskilled worker, it will be much more difficult to immigrate to Germany based on employment.

Can a 16 year old move to Germany?

There are instances when people move to Germany for various reasons but have to leave their family behind in their home countries. All spouses and children under 16 years old can apply for immigration to Germany to join their spouse or parents.

How long does it take to get a visa to Germany?

Since you are sending your application and documents from the US to Germany, it will take a minimum of three months for your request to be processed.

How long do you have to stay in Germany to get a residence permit?

After the 90 days of your allowed stay in Germany, you are required to have an Electronic Residence Title or elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel (eAT). To be eligible for a residence permit, you must first have a valid passport.

How to apply for Immigration to Germany from the USA?

As a US citizen, if you are moving to Germany from the USA, you can go about applying for your residence permit in two ways:

What is a German settlement permit?

The settlement permit is the permanent German residence permit. It does not have a validity period, and it is highly sought after. Its equivalent could be the American Green Card. To be eligible for the settlement permit, you must meet the following requirements:

What documents are needed to cover expenses in Germany?

Bank statements, tax documents, or other financial proof of your ability to cover your expenses in Germany,

Why do people want to immigrate to Germany?

Its favourable economy, employment opportunities, better education system with few tuition expenses have made many people, especially Americans, want to immigrate to Germany from the US.

How to prove that you are a permanent resident of Germany?

To prove your financial eligibility for a German permanent residence, you must open a bank account in Germany. Then you can transfer funds from your American bank account to Germany to prove that you have enough funds to cover your stay. It would be best if you did this, regardless of whether you will be working in Germany or not.

How long do you need a visa to enter Germany?

Schengen visas allow you to enter Germany (or any other country in the Schengen area listed above) for up to three months (90 days) within a six-month period.

How long can you stay in Germany with a visa?

Certain non-EU citizens will need a German entry visa (a Schengen visa), and almost everyone else will need a German residence permit to stay longer than 90 days.

How long do you have to live in Germany to get a permanent residence permit?

Once you have been living in Germany for a number of years, you can apply for a permanent residence permit in Germany. The typical requirement is five years although there are exceptions, such as for spouses of German citizens or graduates from a German university with a temporary work visa.

What is the EU blue card?

The EU Blue Card in Germany is a residence permit with enhanced conditions for highly qualified migrants and their spouses. This application is easier to obtain than for regular employment, as it is often expedited by the employer, but it includes a minimum salary requirement of € 50,800 per year. This visa is usually valid for four years, and it also allows the spouse to live and work freely in Germany.

Where to apply for a Schengen visa?

You need to apply for a Schengen visa at the German embassy, consulate or mission in your country of residence. The Federal Foreign Office website has detailed information on all aspects of Schengen visa regulations. You can download a Schengen application form from the Federal Foreign Office or pick up a copy from your country’s German embassy or consulate. You can also find an online version of the form (in English).

How long is a temporary residence permit good for?

The most common permit is the temporary residence permit, also needed for general employment, which is usually valid for one year, except for certain cases, such as an unlimited employment contract, in which case it can be up to three years.

Why is the German visa process expedited?

This is intended to prevent the separation of families, resulting from the previous extra administration and consequent delayed acceptance sometimes experienced for family members’ applications.

What is the cost of living in Germany?

In addition to the best and cheapest places to live in Germany, you most likely want to know what the living cost in Germany is. More specifically the cost of living in Germany for a family. Based on statistical data, here are 15 cities of Germany and their cost of living index. The higher the cost of living index, the more expensive they are.

What is the cheapest place to live in Germany?

Bremen. These are the cheapest cities to live in Germany. If you are on a budget and expect to not be making a lot of money the first few months or years when you are in the country, it is best to move to one of the cities above. Avoid moving to huge cities and the capital Berlin, since they are extremely expensive.

What is the official currency of Germany?

The currency. The Euro is the official currency of Germany. You might have known this, but if you come from a country where the currency is different, be advised that you will need to exchange it for Euros or you won’t be able to buy anything.

What do people eat in Germany?

People go to Germany with the expectation of eating lots of sausage and nothing else. Germany has a wide selection of foods, from the meat to the desserts. You get a huge range of breads and other baked goods as well. You might not be able to find the comfort foods of your own country easily, but you will have the opportunity to try many different dishes and ingredients that will be delicious.

What happens if you complain about an American employee in Germany?

Employees have a lot of organizations that protect their rights and if you complain, someone will listen. As an employee, you will not be exploited and are not at the mercy of a mean boss .

Does Germany have recycling?

Order in Germany goes so far as to include your trash. You will see special bins for all kinds of garbage and there is a specific time when you must do your recycling. Germany is an environmentally friendly country, so you should brush up on your recycling skills and learn what materials go where when you move there.

Is Germany bike friendly?

Cities built for bikes. The roads in Germany are built for all kinds of transport. They are pedestrian friendly, and most important, bicycle friendly. When you move to a new city, the cheapest transport mode will be by bike, so you can use this in Germany a lot.

What is the priority principle in Germany?

third-country nationals who have been living in Germany for a longer period of time). This is known as the Priority Principle (“Vorrangprinzip”).

Can I get a residence permit in Germany?

Citizens of the United States of America may apply for their residence permit after entering Germany without a visa. Alternatively they can apply for a residence permit prior to entry at the German Embassy in Washington or at a German Consulate (currently located in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York or San Francisco). Inquiries may be made at the German Embassy at www.germany.info/.

Do Germans charge for calling?

In Germany, even local calls are charged. By using call-by-call numbers you can save on local and long-distance calls. Germans appreciate knowing if they have reached the correct number RIGHT AWAY. Simply answering the phone with “hello” will most likely annoy your callers. The good news is that Germans don’ t see the phone as a toy or a marketing tool, so it is unlikely that you will receive crank calls or phone solicitations. It is expected that you answer your phone with your last name, (“Smith.”), and identify yourself when you call (“Hier ist Smith”). If you are at someone else’s house and you answer the phone, the correct procedure is to identify yourself first, followed by the name of your host, (“Smith bei Schmidt”).

Can I work in Germany without a visa?

All persons who wish to seek gainful employment in Germany are required to obtain a residence permit in the form of a visa. The residence permit (“Aufenthaltserlaubnis”) only allows you to take up gainful employment (employee or self-employment) if the residence permit expressly entitles you to do this. Alternatively they can apply for a residence permit prior to entry at the German Embassy in Washington or at a German Consulate (currently located in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York or San Francisco). Inquiries may be made at the German Embassy at www.germany.info/.

Is there a recycling system in Germany?

The German household garbage recycling system is most impressive. A sure-fire way to annoy your new neighbors is to blatantly disregard the recycling rules. Recycling policies and regulations vary slightly from town to town. Brochures are available from your local authority explaining the recycling rules in your town.

What is a visa for a foreigner?

What is a Visa? A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship or nationality. Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa ...

What is a Visa?

A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’ s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship or nationality.

Who facilitates visa applications?

In the country you selected, visa applications and interview scheduling are primarily facilitated by a third-party company, Applicant Service Centers. Please visit their website at: https://ais.usvisa-info.com for additional information on determining what visa type is best for you and how to apply.