Service Finder
Immigration
Do I need a visa if I want to live in Germany? My partner is German – can I live and work in Germany too? There are many aspects to the topic of immigration into Germany, and lots of questions associated with it. This page provides answers, advisory services, links and much more.
Services:
Apply for a certificate of permanent residence for EU/EEA citizens entitled to freedom of movement
EU and EEA citizens who have acquired a permanent right of residence may apply to the Aliens' Registration Office for the issue of a certificate confirming the existence of this right.
Apply for a national visa
If you wish to enter Germany for a longer-term stay, you must apply for a national visa.
Apply for a permanent residence card for family members of EU citizens entitled to freedom of movement
If you have resided permanently and lawfully in the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany for a period of five years as a third-country family member of an EU or EEA citizen, you can apply to the Aliens' Registration Office for the issuance of a permanent residence card.
Apply for a residence permit for a crime victim
You may be granted a residence permit to testify as a witness in criminal proceedings for human trafficking.
Apply for a residence permit for a foreign spouse to join a German spouse
You can obtain a residence permit for family reunification in order to establish or continue a marital partnership or registered partnership with a German.
Apply for a residence permit for a study-related internship EU
You can obtain a residence permit for a study-related internship EU if you meet certain requirements for this.
Apply for a residence permit for education and training purposes
Regardless of your qualifications, you can obtain a residence permit to complete in-company vocational training or continuing education in Germany.
Apply for a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker with vocational training
As a skilled worker with vocational training, you can obtain a residence permit to pursue qualified employment if you meet certain requirements for this.
Apply for a residence permit for employment as a specialist with academic training
If you have a university degree and would like to work in Germany in an occupation for which your degree qualifies you, you can obtain a corresponding residence permit under certain conditions.
Apply for a residence permit for employment in case of pronounced practical professional knowledge
With distinctive practical professional knowledge in the field of information and communication technology, you can obtain a residence permit under certain conditions. However, a formal qualification is not required.
Apply for a residence permit for employment regardless of qualification as a skilled worker
You can obtain a residence permit for employment regardless of your qualification as a skilled worker if you meet certain requirements for this.
Apply for a residence permit for freelancers
You can obtain a residence permit to work as a freelancer if you meet certain requirements.
Apply for a residence permit for refugees
Issuance of a residence permit in the case of recognized refugee protection.
Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of employment for qualified tolerated persons
Tolerated foreigners can obtain a residence permit for employment if they meet certain requirements.
Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of recognition of foreign professional qualification on the basis of an agreement of the Federal Employment Agency
Residence permit for the recognition of your foreign professional qualification if you have been placed in employment on the basis of an agreement between the Federal Employment Agency and the labor administration in your country of origin and other requirements are met.
Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of research
If you want to work as a researcher in Germany, you can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of research.
Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of research for beneficiaries of international protection
As a researcher, you can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of research under certain conditions
Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of school-based vocational training
You can obtain a residence permit to complete school-based vocational training in Germany
Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment
You can obtain a residence permit if you intend to take up self-employment.
Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of studying
If you want to study in Germany as a non-EU citizen, you can get a residence permit if you meet certain requirements.
Apply for a residence permit for the recognition examination of a foreign professional qualification
You can obtain a residence permit to take an examination required for the recognition of a foreign professional qualification if you meet certain requirements.
Apply for a residence permit for the spouse to join foreigners
If you want to join your foreign spouse or partner in Germany, you can obtain a residence permit for family reunification if you meet certain requirements
Apply for a residence permit for urgent humanitarian or personal reasons
How do I apply for a residence permit for a temporary stay if there are urgent humanitarian or personal reasons or substantial public interests?
Apply for a residence permit to attend a general education school
You can obtain a residence permit to attend school if you meet certain requirements for this purpose
Apply for a residence permit to carry out a qualification measure
You can obtain a residence permit to carry out a qualification measure if you would like to work in Germany but your professional qualification has not yet been fully recognized by the body responsible in Germany.
Apply for a residence permit to carry out a qualification measure with employment
You can obtain a residence permit to carry out a qualification measure for the recognition of your foreign professional qualification and at the same time pursue employment that is not limited in time, if you meet certain requirements.
Apply for a residence permit to continue studies started in another EU country
As a person entitled to international protection, you can apply for a residence permit to continue a course of study that you have begun in another EU country if you meet certain requirements.
Apply for a residence permit to look for a job after completing a research activity
If you are looking for a job corresponding to your qualifications or self-employment directly following your research activity, you will be granted a residence permit for a maximum of 9 months.
Apply for a residence permit to look for a job after completing training
If you have successfully completed your education in Germany and are looking for a job that matches your qualifications, you can apply for a residence permit.
Apply for a residence permit to look for a job after completing your studies
If you have successfully completed your studies in Germany, you can apply for a residence permit for up to 18 months to find a job that matches your qualifications.
Apply for a residence permit to search for a job after recognition of foreign professional qualifications
After your foreign professional qualification has been recognized, you can be granted a residence permit to take up a corresponding employment relationship or self-employment for a maximum of 12 months.
Apply for a residence permit to search for a training place
They can obtain a residence permit to search for a training place in order to carry out qualified vocational training if they meet certain requirements for this purpose
Apply for a residence permit to work as a civil servant
If you are a civil servant working for a German employer, you can obtain a residence permit to fulfill your official duties in Germany.
Apply for a settlement permit
If you are in possession of a residence permit, you can obtain a permanent settlement permit after five years under certain conditions.
Apply for a visa for a short stay in Germany and the Schengen area
Nationals who require a visa for a short stay in Germany or in the Schengen area must apply for one at one of the missions of the Federal Republic of Germany in good time before entering the country.
Apply for accelerated skilled worker procedure
If you as an employer wish to employ a skilled worker from a third country, you can apply for an accelerated skilled worker procedure on behalf of the foreign skilled worker.
Apply for admission as a late repatriate
In principle, you can only be admitted to Germany as an ethnic German resettler if you leave your resettlement area as part of the admission procedure. Please note that you must always submit your application from the resettlement area.
Apply for an extension of the residence permit for the purpose of recognition of the foreign professional qualification based on an agreement of the Federal Employment Agency
You can have your residence permit extended for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications on the basis of an agreement by the Federal Employment Agency if you meet certain requirements for this.
Apply for citizenship card
You can apply for the binding determination of your German citizenship if you have a legitimate interest in doing so.
Apply for cost exemption for the integration course
If you receive social benefits or are financially needy, you can take part in an integration course free of charge under certain conditions. This also applies to employees whose gross salary does not exceed a certain amount.
Apply for extension of residence permit for mobile researchers
If you have a temporary residence permit for mobile researchers and would like to continue your work at the research institution in Germany after the expiration of the time limit, you can extend your residence permit under certain conditions.
Apply for naturalization for foreigners with naturalization entitlement
If you are a foreigner and wish to become a German citizen with all rights and obligations, you are entitled to naturalization under certain conditions.
Apply for reimbursement of the cost contribution (50 percent) for the integration course
If you have successfully completed the integration course within 2 or 3 years, you can apply for a refund of 50 percent of your cost contribution under certain conditions.
Apply for residence card for family members of Union citizens
As a third-country family member of an EU or EEA citizen, you will need a residence card for your further stay in Germany no later than three months after your entry.
Apply for residence permit extension for job search after research activity
As a researcher, you have a legal right to be issued a work permit to look for a job for a maximum of 9 months directly following your research activity.
Apply for residence permit extension for job search after vocational training
After successful completion of your training in Germany, your residence permit can be extended for a maximum of 12 months in order to look for a job.
Apply for residence permit extension for joining spouse to foreigners
You can have your residence permit extended for spousal reunification with foreigners if you meet certain requirements for this.
Apply for residence permit extension for refugees
Under certain circumstances you can apply for an extension of your residence permit.
Apply for residence permit for employment in public interest
You can apply for a residence permit under certain conditions if there is a public, in particular a regional, economic or labor market policy interest in your employment. However, a formal qualification is not required.
Apply for residence permit for exceptional hardship cases
You can apply for an extension of the residence permit due to special personal reasons or special nature of the individual case.
Apply for residence permit for job search for professionals with academic education
As a specialist with an academic education, you can obtain a residence permit for a period of six months to look for a job if you meet certain requirements.
Apply for residence permit for job search for skilled workers with vocational training
As a skilled worker with vocational training, you can obtain a residence permit for a period of six months to look for a job if you meet certain requirements for this.
Apply for residence permit for mobile researchers
If you want to work as a researcher at a German research institution and already hold a residence title from another EU member state for the purpose of research, you can obtain a residence permit under certain conditions
Apply for residence permit for recognition of professional qualification during employment
You can obtain a residence permit for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications in order to compensate for the deficits in your professional qualification determined by the recognition office, also within the framework of qualified employment in the desired profession.
Apply for residence permit in case of subsidiary protection
How do I apply for a residence permit in case of subsidiary protection?
Apply for your data stored in the Central Register of Foreigners to be blocked for transmission
If you are entered in the central register for foreigners, you can request that your data not be passed on under certain conditions.
Applying for a residence permit in the event of a ban on deportation
How do I apply for a residence permit if there is a ban on deportation?
Applying for a settlement permit for spouses with independent right of residence
Holders of a residence permit to join a spouse whose cohabitation no longer exists and holders of an independent right of residence for spouses can obtain a settlement permit.
Applying for an extension of a residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment for freelancers
You can extend your residence permit for the purpose of exercising a freelance activity if you wish to continue exercising your freelance activity in Germany and meet certain requirements for this purpose.
Applying for information about yourself from the European Visa Information System (VIS)
If you would like to know what information the Visa Information System (VIS) has stored about you, you can apply for information.
Applying for information from the Central Register of Foreigners
If you would like to know what information about you is stored in the Central Register of Foreigners, you can obtain information under certain conditions. German nationals are not recorded in the Central Register of Foreigners.
Applying for naturalization as part of restitution - for persons who were expatriated during National Socialism and their descendants - abroad
If you or your ancestors were deprived of German citizenship during the National Socialist era, you can apply for re-naturalization under certain conditions.
Applying for naturalization for former Germans abroad
If you live abroad, have already been German and would like to become German again, you can apply for re-naturalization under certain conditions.
Asylum application
Anyone who applies for asylum must undergo a recognition procedure.
Communicate mobility for study purposes
If you have a residence permit from a member state of the European Union (EU) for study purposes, you can use it to enter Germany for a certain period of time and study there. You do not need a German residence permit.
Communicate short-term mobility for research purposes
If you have a residence permit from a member state of the European Union (EU) for research purposes, you can use it to enter Germany for a certain period of time and conduct research there.
Communicate short-term mobility of company employees for the purpose of gainful employment (intra-company transfer)
If you have a residence permit from a member state of the European Union (EU) for the purpose of intra-corporate transfer, you can use it to enter Germany for a certain period of time and work there.
Declaration of commitment according to § 68 Residence Act (AufenthG)
If you submit a declaration of commitment, then the costs for the living expenses of a foreign fellow citizen are taken over in order to help him/her to stay in Germany if he/she does not have sufficient means himself/herself.
Electronic residence permit
Here you will find information on the issuance of the electronic residence permit.
Extend residence permit for research for beneficiaries of international protection
Under certain conditions, you can extend your existing residence permit for the purpose of research.
Mobile ICT Card Renewal Request
As a Mobiler ICT card holder, you can apply for its renewal under certain conditions
Naturalization
Foreigners can apply for German citizenship under certain conditions.
Repeat 300 lessons of the integration course once
If you have not reached level B1 in the final test of your integration course, you can repeat the language course once under certain conditions for a maximum of 300 teaching units.
Request clarification of the non-existence of an option obligation
German citizenship: Determination of the continued existence of German citizenship for children born in Germany within the framework of the option obligation
Request information on the visa warning file via your own organization
If you would like to know what information the visa warning file has stored about your organization, you can request information.
Request self-disclosure of personal information in the visa warning file
If you would like to know what information is stored about you in the visa warning file, you can request information.
Residence permit after professional recognition procedure - apply for extension
After successful determination of the equivalence of your foreign professional qualification or receipt of the professional practice permit in Germany, your residence permit can be extended for a maximum of 12 months in order to search for a job.
Residence permit application for extension in case of pronounced practical professional knowledge
You can apply for the extension of your residence permit for the purpose of employment with distinct professional practical knowledge if its validity is about to expire.
Residence permit due to school vocational training Apply for extension
You can have your residence permit for the purpose of school-based vocational training extended before its period of validity expires if you want to continue your school-based vocational training in Germany.
Residence permit for education and training purposes Apply for extension
You must extend your residence permit, which was issued to you for education and training purposes, in good time if you wish to continue your education or training in Germany.
Residence permit for employment as a civil servant Apply for extension
If you are in a civil servant relationship with a German employer and have a residence permit to fulfill official duties in the Federal territory, you can apply for an extension of the residence permit.
Residence permit for employment as a skilled worker with vocational training Apply for extension
You can extend your residence permit to pursue qualified employment for skilled workers with vocational training before the expiration of its time limit if you want to continue employment in Germany as a skilled worker.
Residence permit for employment as a specialist with academic education - apply for extension
You can have your residence permit for qualified employment for skilled workers with academic training extended before its period of validity expires if you want to continue working in Germany as a skilled worker.
Residence permit for employment in public interest apply for extension
You can apply for the extension of your residence permit for the purpose of employment in which there is a public interest, in particular a regional, economic or labor market interest, if its validity is about to expire.
Residence permit for exceptional hardship cases Apply for extension
Extension of the residence permit due to exceptional hardship.
Residence permit for family reasons Issuance for family reunification of a foreign parent with a German minor
If you want to join your German minor, unmarried child in Germany, you can obtain a residence permit for family reunification.
Residence permit for family reasons Issuance for parents to join a minor foreigner
If you want to join your foreign minor child in Germany, you can obtain a residence permit for family reunification.
Residence permit for job search after studies Apply for extension
If you have successfully completed your studies in Germany and have already received a residence permit to look for a job, you can have this extended under certain conditions.
Residence permit for self-employment Application for extension
If you have received a temporary residence permit for the purpose of self-employment, this can be extended under certain conditions.
Residence permit for study preparation and study apply for extension
You can have your residence permit extended for the purpose of studying before it expires if you meet certain requirements for this.
Residence permit for temporary protection because of the war in Ukraine
If you have fled from Ukraine, you can receive a residence permit for temporary protection under certain conditions.
Residence permit for the continuation of studies begun in another EU country - applying for an extension
You can have your residence permit extended for the continuation of studies begun in another EU country before its period of validity expires if you meet certain conditions for this
Residence permit for the purpose of employment Extension for the purpose of employment irrespective of qualification as a skilled worker
You can have your residence permit for employment extended before its expiration date, regardless of your qualification as a skilled worker, if you wish to continue employment in Germany.
Residence permit for the purpose of research Apply for extension
You can extend your residence permit for the purpose of research before its expiry date if you wish to continue your activity as a researcher in Germany.
Residence permit for urgent humanitarian or personal reasons Apply for extension
Under certain conditions, you can obtain an extension of your residence permit for a limited period of time. You must apply for this.
Residence permit for victims of crime Apply for extension
For your Residence permit for victims of a trafficking crime, you can apply for an extension.
Residence permit in the case of a deportation ban, apply for extension
You can apply for an extension of your residence permit due to a ban on deportation.
Residence permit to carry out a qualification measure Apply for extension
You can have your residence permit extended for the purpose of carrying out a qualification measure for the recognition of your foreign professional qualification before the expiry of its period of validity if you meet certain conditions for this
