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 can apply to the immigration authority for a certificate confirming the existence of this right.
Apply for a citizenship card
You can apply for a binding determination of your German citizenship if you have a legitimate interest in doing so.
Apply for a mobile ICT card extension
As the holder of a Mobiler-ICT card, you can apply for an extension under certain conditions
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 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 for qualified employment if you meet certain requirements.
Apply for a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker with vocational training Extension
You can extend your residence permit for qualified employment for skilled workers with vocational training before it expires if you wish to continue your employment in Germany as a skilled worker.
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
Regardless of your qualification as a skilled worker, you can obtain a residence permit for employment if you meet certain requirements.
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 study preparation and study extension
You can have your residence permit for the purpose of studying extended before it expires if you meet certain requirements.
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 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 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 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 the application from the resettlement area.
Apply for an extension of the residence permit for the purpose of recognition of the foreign professional qualification on the basis of an agreement with the Federal Employment Agency
You can have your residence permit for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications extended on the basis of an agreement with the Federal Employment Agency if you meet certain requirements.
Apply for an extension of the residence permit if you have extensive practical work experience
You can apply for an extension of your residence permit to work in an occupation requiring a high level of practical professional knowledge if it is due to expire soon.
Apply for an extension of the residence permit to carry out a qualification measure
You can have your residence permit extended for the purpose of completing a qualification measure for the recognition of your foreign professional qualification before it expires if you meet certain requirements for this
Apply for an extension of your residence permit for employment as a civil servant
If you are employed as a civil servant by a German employer and have a residence permit to fulfill official duties in Germany, you can apply for an extension of your residence permit.
Apply for an extension of your residence permit for self-employment
If you have been granted a temporary residence permit for self-employment, this can be extended under certain conditions.
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 due to school-based vocational training
You can have your residence permit for the purpose of school-based vocational training extended before it expires if you wish to continue your school-based vocational training in Germany.
Apply for naturalization for foreigners entitled to naturalization
If you are a foreigner and would like 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 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 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 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 card for family members of EU citizens
As a third-country national family member of an EU or EEA citizen, you will need a residence card for your continued stay in Germany no later than three months after entering the country.
Applying for a residence permit extension for refugees
Under certain circumstances, you can apply for an extension of your residence permit.
Applying for a residence permit extension for the purpose of research
You can extend your residence permit for the purpose of research before it expires if you wish to continue your work as a researcher in Germany.
Applying for a residence permit extension for training and further education purposes
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.
Applying for a residence permit extension to look for a job after research work
As a researcher, you have a legal entitlement to a work permit to look for a job for a maximum of 9 months directly following your research activity.
Applying for a residence permit extension to look for a job after vocational training
Once you have successfully completed your training in Germany, your residence permit can be extended for a maximum of 12 months to enable you to look for a job.
Applying for a residence permit for exceptional hardship cases
You can apply for an extension of your residence permit for special personal reasons or special circumstances.
Applying for a residence permit for refugees
Granting of a residence permit with recognized refugee protection.
Applying for a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment
You can obtain a residence permit if you intend to take up self-employment.
Applying 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
Applying 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 significant public interests?
Applying for a residence permit for victims of a crime
You can be granted a residence permit to testify as a witness in criminal proceedings for human trafficking.
Applying for a residence permit in the case of subsidiary protection
How do I apply for a residence permit if I have subsidiary protection?
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 residence permit to look for a job for skilled workers with an academic education
As a skilled worker with an academic qualification, you can obtain a residence permit to look for a job for a period of six months if you meet certain requirements.
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 a visa for a short stay in Germany and the Schengen area
Citizens who require a visa for a short stay in Germany or the Schengen area must apply for one in good time before entering the country at one of the German diplomatic missions abroad.
Applying for an extension of a residence permit for cases of exceptional hardship
Extension of the residence permit due to exceptional hardship.
Applying for an extension of a residence permit for employment in the public interest
You can apply for an extension of your residence permit to pursue an occupation in which there is a public interest, in particular a regional, economic or labor market policy interest, if its validity is about to expire.
Applying for an extension of a residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment for freelancers
You can extend your residence permit to work as a freelancer if you wish to continue working as a freelancer in Germany and meet certain requirements.
Applying for an extension of a residence permit for victims of a crime
For your residence permit for victims of human trafficking can apply for an extension.
Applying for an extension of the 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 time limit has expired, you can extend your residence permit under certain conditions.
Applying for an extension of the residence permit for spouses joining foreigners
You can have your residence permit for the subsequent immigration of spouses extended if you meet certain requirements.
Applying for an extension of your residence permit for urgent humanitarian or personal reasons
Under certain conditions, you can obtain an extension of your temporary residence permit. You must apply for this.
Applying for an extension of your residence permit to look for a job after your studies
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.
Applying for German citizenship as a foreign national with habitual residence abroad
If you live abroad, have close ties to Germany and would like to acquire German citizenship, you can apply for naturalization.
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, the costs for the living expenses of a foreign citizen will be covered in order to help him/her to stay in Germany if he/she does not have sufficient funds.
Electronic residence permit
Here you will find information on issuing the electronic residence permit.
Extending residence permits for research for beneficiaries of international protection
Under certain conditions, you can extend your existing residence permit for the purpose of research.
Naturalization Conferral
Under certain conditions, foreign nationals can apply for German citizenship.
Naturalization requirements for nationals of another Member State
Here you will find information on naturalization requirements for citizens of another EU member state
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: Determining the continued existence of German citizenship for children born in Germany as part 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.
Requesting 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.
Residence permit after professional recognition procedure - applying for an extension
Once the equivalence of your foreign professional qualification has been successfully established or you have received a license to practice your profession in Germany, your residence permit can be extended for a maximum of 12 months for the purpose of finding a job.
Residence permit for employment as a skilled worker with academic training - apply for extension
You can have your residence permit for qualified employment for skilled workers with academic qualifications extended before it expires if you wish to continue working in Germany as a skilled worker.
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 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 purpose of gainful employment Extension for the purpose of employment irrespective of qualification as a skilled worker
You can have your residence permit for employment extended before it expires, regardless of your qualification as a skilled worker, if you wish to continue your employment in Germany.
Residence permit in the event of a ban on deportation, apply for extension
You can apply for an extension of your residence permit due to a ban on deportation.
Residence permit to continue a course of study started in another EU country - applying for an extension
You can extend your residence permit to continue a course of study you started in another EU country before it expires if you meet certain requirements
