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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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 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....

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...

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...

Apply for residence permit in case of subsidiary protection

How do I apply for a residence permit in case of subsidiary protection?

Applying for a residence permit in the case of a deportation ban

How do I apply for a Residence permit in the presence of a deportation ban ?

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...

Asylum application

Anyone who applies for asylum must undergo a recognition procedure.

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...

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.

German citizenship Determination of existence on application

You can apply for a binding determination of your German citizenship if you have a legitimate interest in doing so.

Get Spätaussiedler certificate

If you have received a notice of admission as a late repatriate and are registered in Germany at your new place of residence, you will receive the certificate as a late...

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.

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Please select the desired service on the left.