Germany Immigration Overview

• Germany is among the top five countries for international immigrants who aspire to settle abroad for a better quality of life as well as higher level of income
• The increasing popularity of the European country can be attributed to its fast growing economy, robust education system, and burgeoning opportunities for employment across all sectors

[Read More: 5 Easiest Ways To Immigrate To Germany]

What are the pathways for immigration to Germany

There are a number of different pathways available to you to immigrate to Germany, which will primarily be based on the purpose for which you plan to move to Germany

• If you are planning to move to Germany for employment, then you will either apply for a work permit visa or a job seeker visa, which will allow you to stay in Germany for six months and find a job
• If you are planning to move to Germany to study at any of its world renowned universities, then you will need to apply for a study visa
• If you are planning to set up a business or take over the management of an existing one, in Germany, then you will be applying for a entrepreneur visa
• If you plan to visit your family in Germany, or take a vacation, you will apply for a tourist visa or a visitor visa

What are the Types of Visas to Immigrate to Germany?

The following are the different visas that one can apply for to immigrate to Germany. Apply for one of these visas based on the requirements and purpose of immigration to Germany.

• i)General Employment Visa
• ii)Germany Job Seeker Visa
• iii)Germany Entrepreneur visa
• iv)European Union (EU) Blue Card
• v)Permanent Residence Permit for Germany

• Germany Employment Visa
  

  This visa is one of the most coveted visas for immigration to Germany. Follow the steps to apply for a German employment visa.

• 1.Look for and get a suitable job in Germany, that is related to the field of expertise and which employs.
• 2.Apply for a German Working Visa.
• a)The employer needs to prove that, they could not find an employee from Germany or European Union to fill the role that the applicant applied for.
• b)The employer should also prove that the applicant has met all the educational and other requirements for the job. And pay the same remuneration for the applicant as any other German employee filling the same role.
• 3.Obtain a working residence permit after moving to Germany.
• 4.Once one obtains the residence permit, one can work as long as the permit is valid.
• 5.If the permit is on the brink of expiry, then they can apply for an extension of the permit.
• 6.Once spent sufficient time in Germany living on a residence permit, then they can apply for a Permanent resident visa that will allow them to settle in Germany permanently.

[Read More: Diverse Categories Of German Work Perrmits For Overseas Workers]

• Germany Jobseeker Visa
  

  This is another extremely popular visa type for entering Germany. This visa allows skilled professionals to enter the country if they fulfill certain conditions. One can obtain this visa, and enter the country and then look for a job. This visa allows the applicants to stay in Germany for six months. During this period they can look for a suitable job. Once found a job, and then they will be able to apply for a work permit, which allows them to live and work in the country for a longer duration.

• Germany Immigration Visa for Entrepreneurs
  

  Entrepreneurs or investors, who are interested in investing in Germany, can immigrate to the country on this visa. For this visa, one should fulfill the following conditions.

• One should apply for and obtain a self-employment visa for Germany.
• One should be able to invest a minimum amount of 250000 in Germany.
• One needs to prove that they have sufficient funds.
• One needs to prove that their investment will benefit Germany and contribute to its economic growth.
• Germany Immigration for Family Reunions
  

  All dependent partners and children who are under 16 years of age will be able to apply for immigration to Germany to join their family members. They need to fulfill the following conditions to be eligible for this visa.

• Show proof of relationship with the required documents.
• Show proficiency in German if they are above 16 years of age.
• European Union (EU) Blue Card
  

  The EU Blue Card is provided to international skilled workers who are not currently citizens of the EU member countries who have highly skilled qualifications and plan to work in Germany and utilize their skills. One should fulfill the requirements below to qualify.

• Have a Bachelor's or Masters’ in any subject.
• Be employed by a company in Germany, with a minimum l salary of 56,800 Euros per annum.

The EU Blue Card will enable the applicant to live in Germany for four years. One can apply for permanent residence after this period is over.

• Permanent Residence Permit for Germany
  

  The permanent residence permit is known as the Settlement Permit. One can apply for Settlement Permit if they have been living in Germany with either a residence permit or an EU Blue Card for a minimum of five years and meet the language requirements.

What are the benefits of immigration to Germany

• A German passport is extremely desirable as it offers visa free access to 189 countries, which includes most countries of the European Union, Australia and USA.
• You can expect to earn higher salaries after immigration to Germany. The country is reputed to have the highest salaries among the European Union countries
• You and your family can enjoy the benefits of living in a multicultural society by living in the larger cities where most of the immigrants tend to live
• You can get access to the best medical care in Germany, as it is known as the world center for medical tourism
• You and your family can get access to free public education upto university level
• You will be able to travel easily to other countries in the European Union as Germany is geographically located at the heart of the European union

[Read More: Different Immigration Pathways To Germany]

What is the immigration process for Germany?

In order to immigrate to Germany, you will need to take the following steps

• Choose your reason and pathway for Germany immigration
• Apply for a D category visa for your preferred method of immigration to Germany
• Enter the country on your visa, and apply for a permanent residence permit
• Once you have lived for a period of three years on your permanent residence permit you can apply for citizenship

This article provides an overview of immigration to Germany, its benefits and the process in brief. For a more in depth understanding of the process, and to know your prospects, get in touch with our Germany immigration advisors at Global Tree

Top FAQs Asked by Students Travelling to Germany