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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.

There are 99 services for Immigration

Apply for a collective list to make travel easier for pupils

If you go on a school trip with pupils, they can also enter a country of the European Union and some other countries without a visa or passport with the collective list.
Apply for a negative certificate (for nationality)

Official proof of non-existence of German citizenship (examination and determination).
Apply for a residence permit for conditional admission to study or part-time studies

If you want to study in Germany, you can obtain a residence permit for the fulfillment of conditions before starting a full-time course of study, as well as for part-time study,...
Apply for a residence permit for recognition of professional qualifications on the basis of an agreement with 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...
Apply for a residence permit for self-employed persons who have completed their studies or are working as scientists or researchers

Under simplified conditions, you can obtain a residence permit for self-employment if you have successfully completed your studies in Germany or have a residence permit as a...
Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of carrying out a qualification measure with employment

You can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of carrying out a qualification measure for the recognition of your foreign professional qualification and at the same time...
Apply for a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment

You can obtain a residence permit if you intend to start self-employment.
Apply for a residence permit to look for a job after completing a research activity

If you are looking for a job or self-employment that matches your qualifications immediately after your research activity, you will be granted a residence permit for a maximum...
Apply for a residence permit to look for a job for skilled workers with academic training

As a skilled worker with an academic education, you can obtain a residence permit to look for a job for a period of six months if you meet certain requirements.
Apply for a residence permit to take an examination for the recognition of a foreign professional qualification

You can obtain a residence permit for taking an exam required for recognition if you meet certain requirements
Apply for a tolerated stay for training

If, if your asylum application is rejected, you would like to continue a training course that you have begun in the asylum procedure or if you are in possession of a tolerated...
Apply for a visa for a short stay in Germany and the Schengen area

Citizens who need a visa for a short stay in Germany or in the Schengen area must apply for it at one of the diplomatic missions of the Federal Republic of Germany in good time...
Apply for an extension of a residence permit for the purpose of employment with practical professional knowledge

You can apply for the extension of your residence permit for the purpose of employment with strong professional skills if its validity is about to expire.
Apply for an extension of the residence permit for conditional admission to study or part-time study

If you have a residence permit to prepare for studies and the conditions for starting your studies are not yet in place, you can apply for an extension of the residence permit.
Apply for an extension of the residence permit for the purpose of employment, regardless of the qualification as a skilled worker

You can have your residence permit extended for the purpose of employment, regardless of your qualification as a specialist, before the expiry of its period of validity if you...
Apply for an extension of the residence permit for the recognition of the professional qualification during employment

You can apply for an extension of your residence permit, which was issued to you for the recognition of your foreign professional qualification, if the maximum period of...
Apply for an extension of the residence permit for the recognition of the professional qualification on the basis of an agreement with the Federal Employment Agency

You can have your residence permit extended for the recognition of your professional qualification on the basis of an agreement with the Federal Employment Agency if you meet...
Apply for an extension of the residence permit in order to take an examination for the recognition of a foreign professional qualification

You can apply for an extension of your residence permit, which was issued to you for taking an exam for the recognition of your foreign professional qualification.
apply for naturalisation as part of reparations - for persons who were expatriated during National Socialism and their descendants - abroad

If you or your ancestors were deprived of their German citizenship during the Nazi era, you can apply for renaturalization under certain conditions.
Apply for recognition as a specialist pharmacist with a professional qualification from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland

Have you completed further training to become a specialist pharmacist abroad? Then you can apply for recognition as a specialist pharmacist in Germany under certain conditions.
Apply for recognition as a specialist pharmacist with a professional qualification from third countries

Have you completed further training to become a specialist pharmacist abroad? Then you can apply for recognition as a specialist pharmacist in Germany under certain conditions.
Applying for a Certificate of Permanent Residence for EU/EEA Citizens Entitled to Free Movement

EU and EEA citizens who have acquired a permanent right of residence can apply to the Foreigners' Registration Office for a certificate of the existence of this right.
Applying for a citizenship card

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

As a holder of a Mobile ICT card, you can apply for its renewal under certain conditions
Applying for a permanent EU residence permit

With the EU permanent residence permit, foreign nationals are allowed to move more freely within the European Union (EU). It is equivalent to the settlement permit in many...
Applying for a permanent residence card for third-country national family members of Union citizens entitled to freedom of movement

If you are a third-country national family member of an EU or EEA citizen and have resided permanently and lawfully in Germany for a period of five years, you can apply to the...
Applying for a permanent residence permit for EU Blue Card holders

As an EU Blue Card holder, you can apply for a permanent residence permit (permanent residence permit) under simplified conditions.
Applying for a permanent residence permit for minor foreign children

As a child born and/or raised in Germany, you can, under certain conditions, obtain an independent (i.e. independent of your parents), unlimited right of residence (settlement...
Applying for a permanent residence permit for recognised asylum seekers and refugees

If you are a recognised person entitled to asylum, a refugee under the Geneva Convention on Refugees or a resettlement refugee, you can obtain a permanent residence permit...
Applying for a permanent residence permit for the self-employed

As a holder of a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment, you can apply for a permanent residence permit (settlement permit) after three years.
Applying for a residence permit for a study-related internship in the EU

You can obtain a residence permit for a study-related traineeship in the EU if you meet certain requirements.
Applying for a residence permit for employment as a specialist with academic training

If you have a university degree and would like to pursue employment in Germany that qualifies you for the degree, you can obtain a corresponding residence permit under certain...
Applying for a Residence Permit for Exceptional Hardship

Extension of the residence permit due to special personal reasons or special circumstances of the individual case
Applying for a residence permit for freelancers

You can obtain a residence permit to carry out a freelance activity if you meet certain requirements.
Applying for a residence permit for general school attendance

You can obtain a residence permit to attend school if you meet certain requirements
Applying for a residence permit for in-company education and training for initial and continuing training purposes

Regardless of your qualifications, you can obtain a residence permit in order to complete in-company vocational training or further education in Germany.
Applying for a residence permit for mobile researchers

If you want to work as a researcher at a German research institution and already have a residence permit from another EU member state for the purpose of research, you can...
Applying 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.
Applying 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.
Applying for a residence permit for the purpose of school-based vocational training

You can obtain a residence permit in order to complete school-based vocational training in Germany.
Applying for a residence permit for the purpose of studying

You can obtain a residence permit if you meet certain requirements.
Applying for a residence permit for the recognition of professional qualification during employment

You can obtain a residence permit for the recognition of your foreign professional qualification in order to compensate for the deficiencies in your professional qualification...
Applying for a residence permit for the spouse's reunification with 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 temporary residence permit for urgent humanitarian or personal reasons or significant public interests?
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 carry out a qualification measure

You can obtain a residence permit to carry out a qualification measure if you want to work in Germany, but your professional qualification has not yet been fully recognised by...
Applying 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.
Applying for a residence permit to look for a job after recognition of foreign professional qualifications

After recognition of your foreign professional qualification, you can be issued a residence permit directly afterwards to take up a corresponding employment relationship or...
Applying for a residence permit to look for a job 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.
Applying for a residence permit to look for qualified vocational training

They can obtain a residence permit to look for a training place in order to carry out qualified vocational training if they meet certain requirements for this purpose.
Applying for a residence permit to participate in the European Voluntary Service

If you wish to participate in a European Voluntary Service under EU Directive 2016/801, you can apply for a temporary residence permit
Applying for a settlement permit for family members of Germans

As a family member of a German, you can, under certain conditions, apply for a permanent right of residence (settlement permit) after a three-year stay in Germany.
Applying for a settlement permit for highly qualified specialists

In special cases, highly qualified foreign nationals can obtain a settlement permit without prior residence periods in Germany. In particular, the following are considered...
Applying for a settlement permit for minor children

If certain conditions are met, children of foreigners may be granted a settlement permit.
Applying for a work permit for persons with temporary suspension of deportation

If you are in possession of a temporary suspension of deportation, want to work and have already found an employer who wants to hire you, you can apply for a work permit.
Applying for an employment permit for persons with a residence permit

If you want to work in an ongoing asylum procedure and have already found an employer who wants to hire you, you can apply for a work permit.
Applying for an Extension of a Residence Permit for Academic Professionals

You can have your residence permit extended for the purpose of qualified employment for skilled workers with academic training before the end of its period of validity if you...
Applying for an extension of a residence permit for the purpose of employment for (formerly) qualified tolerated persons

Foreign nationals who have received a residence permit for the purpose of employment as former tolerated persons can apply for an extension of their temporary residence permit.
Applying for an extension of a residence permit for the purpose of employment in the public interest

You may apply for the extension of your residence permit for the purpose of pursuing employment in which there is a public, in particular regional, economic or labour market...
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 working as a freelancer if you want to continue your freelance work in Germany and meet certain requirements for this.
Applying for an extension of a residence permit for the purpose of job search for qualified professionals with vocational training

As a professional with vocational training who has already received a residence permit for the purpose of looking for a job, you can apply for the extension of the residence...
Applying for an extension of a residence permit for the purpose of research

You can extend your residence permit for the purpose of research before the expiry of its validity period if you wish to continue your work as a researcher in Germany.
Applying for an extension of the EU Blue Card

You can extend your residence permit for skilled workers with vocational training before the expiry of their time limit if you want to continue your employment in Germany as a...
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 after the expiry of the fixed-term period in...
Applying for an extension of the residence permit for the family reunification of a foreign child with a German parent

Foreign, minor and unmarried children with a residence permit for family reunification with a German parent can receive an extension of the residence permit as long as the...
Applying for an extension of the residence permit for the purpose of preparing and studying

You can have your residence permit extended for the purpose of studying before it expires if you meet certain requirements.
Applying for an extension of the residence permit for the reunification of other family members to a German

If you belong to the circle of other family members of a German and your stay in Germany is still necessary to avoid exceptional hardship, you can apply for the extension of...
Applying for an extension of the residence permit for the subsequent immigration of a foreign spouse to a German

As a third-country national with a residence permit for family reunification with a German spouse or partner, you can apply for an extension of your residence permit as long as...
Applying for an extension of the residence permit to carry out a qualification measure

You can have your residence permit extended for the purpose of carrying out a qualification measure for the purpose of recognising your foreign professional qualification before...
Applying for an extension of the residence permit to participate in the European Voluntary Service

If you have a residence permit for a period of less than one year to participate in a European Voluntary Service and wish to continue the voluntary service, you can apply for an...
Applying for an extension of the training toleration

If you are in possession of a training toleration and your training cannot be completed within the planned period, your training toleration will be extended for the extension...
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-naturalisation under certain conditions.
Citizenship card: Issuance

Formal proof of possession of German citizenship is provided by means of a citizenship certificate. This certificate is required for certain legal transactions or legal...
Electronic residence permit

From 1 September 2011, the electronic residence title (eAT) will be introduced nationwide. The eAT is a plastic card made of polycarbonate (PC) in credit card format, with which...
Electronic residence permit issuance

The electronic residence titles (eAT) are issued and handed out as a separate document in credit card format with additional electronic functions. Inside the card, the eAT has a...
Extension of the residence permit for the purpose of research for persons entitled to international protection

Under certain conditions, you can extend your existing residence permit for the purpose of research.
Extension of the residence permit to continue a course of study started in another EU country

You can have your residence permit extended to continue studying in another EU country before the expiry of its period of validity if you meet certain conditions for this
Late repatriate certificate issuance

If you have received a notification 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...
national visa
National Visa Issuance

If you want to enter Germany for a long-term stay, you must apply for a national visa.
Naturalization: Approval - for foreigners entitled to naturalization

Children born in Germany to foreign parents can, under certain conditions, acquire German citizenship by birth. Foreigners who have been legally habitually resident in Germany...
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 about your own organisation in the visa alert file

If you want to know what information the Visa Alert File has stored about your organization, you can request access.
Request self-disclosure of personal information in the visa alert file

If you want to know what information is stored about you in the visa alert file, you can request access.
Request that your data stored in the Central Register of Foreigners be blocked

If you are registered in the Central Register of Foreigners, you can, under certain conditions, request that your data not be disclosed.
Residence permit due to expulsion

If you have fled Ukraine, you can obtain a residence permit for temporary protection under certain conditions.
Residence permit for family reasons Issue for family reunification of a foreign parent to a minor German

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 Issue for family reunification of a foreign spouse to a German

If you are a third-country national and wish to live in Germany with your German spouse or partner, you can obtain a residence permit for family reunification.
Residence permit for family reasons Issue for the reunification of parents to 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 the purpose of gainful employment Extension for self-employed former scientists and researchers

If, as a graduate of a university degree in Germany or as a former holder of a residence permit as a researcher or scientist, you have a residence permit for self-employment,...
Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment Issuance for the purpose of employment in the public interest

Under certain conditions, you can apply for a residence permit if there is a public, in particular regional, economic or labour market interest in your employment. However,...
Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment Issue for the fulfilment of official duties in the Federal territory in a civil servant relationship with a German employer

If you are a civil servant with a German employer, you can obtain a residence permit to fulfil your official duties in Germany
Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment Issued for the purpose of employment in the case of qualified 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.
Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment Issued for the purpose of employment regardless of qualification as a skilled worker

You can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of employment, regardless of your qualification as a skilled worker, if you meet certain requirements.
Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment Issued for the purpose of employment with strong practical professional knowledge

With strong practical professional knowledge in the field of information and communication technology, you can obtain a residence permit under certain conditions. However,...
Residence permit for the purpose of training Issue for the continuation of studies started in another EU country

As a beneficiary of international protection, you can apply for a residence permit to continue studying in another EU country if you meet certain requirements.
Submit a declaration of commitment

If you want to make it possible for a foreigner from a non-EU country to stay in Germany (usually temporarily), you can commit to paying for his or her living expenses.
Submit details for the issuance of a residence card for family members of EU/EEA citizens (except Germany) and the EEA

Third-country nationals of family members of an EU or EEA citizen need a residence card for their continued stay in Germany no later than three months after their entry
Travel Document Issuance for Foreigners

If you do not have a passport from your country of origin and it is not reasonably possible for you to obtain one, you may be issued with a travel document for foreigners in...

Top 10 Services

Further Links

Single points of contact of the state of Lower Saxony, Single points of contact of the countries of Europe, advice and assistance for EU citizens and their families.