German Visas, Requirements And Application Form.

German Visa Types

There are different types of German Visa. As a Foreign citizen you can apply for any of the visa type that suits your reason for migrating to Germany. Whether its for work, study, business, visit or permanent residence.

The different kinds of visa for every purpose of entry into Germany are listed below.

The Schengen Visa For Short Stay Visits

If you are looking to gain entry into Germany for a short period of time; this could be a business trip, visiting relatives or for holidays. You will require the short stay Schengen visa also called Category C Visa. The short stay visa is valid for 90 days.

Job Seeker Visa

The job seeker Visa is given to individuals who come into Germany from their home countries to search for jobs. This visa permits you to stay in Germany for a period of six months. If at the end of your six months German residence permit you get employed you will be given a work permit which will permit you to work and live in Germany.

Family Reunion Visa

This visa type is a long stay visa for family members of German residents or relatives looking to reside in Germany temporarily or permanently. The family reunion visa can be extended to a resident permit.

Business (National) Visa

If you are coming into Germany for business and you need to stay for about 90 days within 6 months you will have to apply for a business visa. It is advisable to apply 3 weeks before your intended travel date.

Work Visa

The Germany work visa is given to people coming into Germany to work for an organization. You are required to have a resident permit to grant you entry into Germany. It is always advisable to apply from your home country if you plan to start working immediately you gain entry into Germany. It is also important to know that there are two types of work permit, the General Employment and Self Employed.

Spouse Visa

German residents can choose to bring in their partner on a spouse visa. If you are a German resident and you want to obtain a spouse visa for your partner you should be an EU long term resident permit holder, a resident permit holder, or a Blue Card holder and you have to be financially capable of sustaining yourself and your spouse.

National Visa For Long Stay Visit

The National Visa (Nationales Visum) also called the Category D Visa is for Non- Eu citizens that plan to stay in Germany for longer than 90days. You are required to apply for a resident permit within 3 months of your stay in Germany if your intention is to stay longer.

Study (Student) Visa

The German Student visa is given to foreigners who were granted admission to study in Germany with proof of an admission letter given by the university.

Fiance Visa

This visa type is valid for a period of 90 days and can be changed to a resident permit. The Fiance visa allows you to bring in your spouse to live in Germany and marry afterwards.

Other German Visa Types

Language visa Germany, Internship visa Germany, Dependant visa, Working holiday visa, Germany, Tourist visa, Freelance visa, UK visa from Germany.

German Residence Permit Requirements

LAll non-EU citizens are obligated to apply for and acquire a residence permit if they plan to stay longer than the 90days period granted on their visas. With your residence permit you can work, study, set up a business and so on, it all depends on what your reason for obtaining a residence permit is.

Two types of residence permit are listed and explained below:

Permanent Residence Permit:

The permanent residence permit is also known as the Settlement Permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis). This permit allows you to reside in Germany for as long as you want, work and travel out of the country freely. Holders of EU BlueCard and temporary resident permit holders who have lived in the country for a certain period can be granted The German Permanent Residence with proof of 5 years approved employment by the Federal Employment Agency.

Temporary Residence Permit:

This type of residence permit is often granted to foreign nationals with specific reasons for the basis of their application. It could be for studying, working etc. Iit is important to remember that you can't use your student visa to work and vice versa. It should be used for the specific purpose which you applied for.

Applying For A German Residence Permit Has Its Requirements. This Includes:

• A valid Passport
• Bank statements as proof that you are financially stable to support yourself and your family.
• A clean criminal record
• Health check test to ensure you are healthy to work or study.
• Letter of employment and Job description.
• Health Insurance
• Speak German at least a B1 level.
• For those studying in Germany, would need a copy of an admission letter from the university.
• Proof of marriage is needed for people that needs to join their spouse. i.e. a marriage certificates

Can I Extend My Residence Permit In Germany?

Extending your German residence permit is possible if you decide to stay longer than the 90 days period given, but it is restricted only to a few cases. You can contact our specialist Immigration solicitors to discuss your options

Is It Possible To Convert My Type D Visa To Residence Permit?

Converting your type D visa to a Residence permit is possible but can only be done after entry into Germany.

German Citizenship And Requirements

As a permanent resident in Germany, if you are planning to get a German citizenship to allow you have the same rights, freedom, obligation and duties a citizen is entitled to. You can rely on Reiss Edwards' team of Immigration Lawyers to handle all your immigration processes without the hassle.

You can become a German citizen either by naturalization, right of Blood (parents or relative) and if you were born in Germany.

There are requirements needed to enable you qualify for a German citizenship, this includes;

• Be a residence holder for a period of 8 years.
• You should have attended an integration course and have a residence permit for at least 7 years.
• You should have a clean criminal record and not pose a threat to the country's security.
• You should have a B1 in German language.
• You should be financially stable to support yourself and your family.
• You will be required to write and pass a citizenship test.
• And be willing to renounce any prior citizenship.

German Citizenship By Marriage

Application for a German citizenship if you are married to a German can be done through Naturalization. To qualify for Naturalization as spouse of a German citizen, you should have lived in Germany for a period of 3years and married for at least 2years. You are expected to pass the test given and meet certain requirements i.e. The Naturalization requirements and marriage requirements.

Note, Foreign national spouses are not eligible to apply for Naturalization except they are legally married for a period of two years or more.

Work Permit In Germany

Non-EU nationals who meet the criterion required are free to join the German labor force with the appropriate residence and work permit. For immigrants who are foreign workers with an offer to work in Germany will be given a work permit for a period of one year. Consequently, your work permit can be renewed.

Highly skilled workers with high qualifications would be offered an EU (European Union) blue card. Before you can obtain an EU blue card you should have an employer or an organization that needs the services of a highly skilled worker and that also meets up with the annual salary standard.

With the Eu blue card, you have the right to live and work in Germany for 4 years and you are allowed to change your residence permit to a permanent residence permit.

German Work Permit Requirements

Below are some of the documentary requirements needed for obtaining a German work permit.

• A valid passport
• A copy of your employment letter is required
• 2 passport photographs
• Present a proof of clean criminal record
• Health Insurance
• A Filled application form of your residence permit

How We Can Help

If you are considering migrating to Germany either for work, business or leisure, we have a specialist team of immigration lawyers competent in German Immigration laws. Contact us today for a free non-obligatory consultation over the phone. Call us on 020 3744 2797 or send us an email on info@reissedwards.co.uk.