Visa types
Find the permit guide that fits your move.
Requirements, documents and steps for each permit, with the official sources behind every point.
Which guide fits me?
This only points you to general guides. It isn't advice on your case.
Step 1: choose the situation closest to yours.
Work & Study
Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte, §20a AufenthG)
For people who want to come to Germany to look for work. Understand the eligibility criteria and what to prepare before you apply.
Read the guide: Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte, §20a AufenthG) →EU Blue Card: newcomer guide (Blaue Karte EU, §18g AufenthG)
For university graduates with a qualifying job offer in Germany. See what's typically required and how to apply, step by step.
Read the guide: EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU, §18g AufenthG): newcomer guide →Self-employment and freelancing residence permit (§21 AufenthG)
For people planning to work for themselves in Germany. See what the authorities usually look at and how to organise your application.
Read the guide: Self-employment and freelancing residence permit (§21 AufenthG) →Job-seeker residence permit after a stay in Germany (§20 AufenthG)
For qualified people who want to search for a job from inside Germany. See the conditions and what to have ready.
Read the guide: Job-seeker residence permit after a stay in Germany (§20 AufenthG) →Skilled worker residence permit (§18a vocational / §18b academic AufenthG)
For people with a recognised vocational or academic qualification and a job in Germany. Learn how recognition fits in and which documents to prepare.
Read the guide: Skilled worker residence permit (§18a vocational / §18b academic AufenthG) →Student residence permit (§16b AufenthG)
For people admitted to study at a German university. Follow the path from admission letter to residence permit.
Read the guide: Student residence permit (§16b AufenthG) →Family & Other
Family members of EU citizens (EU free movement, FreizügG/EU)
For non-EU family members of EU citizens living in Germany. Learn how the process differs from other permits.
Read the guide: Family members of EU citizens (EU free movement, FreizügG/EU) →Extending or changing your residence permit (Fiktionsbescheinigung)
For people in Germany whose permit is running out or whose situation has changed. See how to prepare and what happens while you wait.
Read the guide: Extending or changing your residence permit (Fiktionsbescheinigung) →Family reunification to Germany: spouses, partners and children
For spouses and children joining a family member in Germany. See which documents are usually requested and the order of steps.
Read the guide: Family reunification to Germany: spouses, partners and children →Schengen visa (C) vs national visa (D): the basics
Not sure which visa you need to enter? Learn the basic difference between short stays and long-term moves.
Read the guide: Schengen visa (C) vs national visa (D): the basics →Settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) and EU long-term residence (Daueraufenthalt-EU)
For people already living in Germany who want permanent residence. Check the typical conditions and how to prepare.
Read the guide: Settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) and EU long-term residence (Daueraufenthalt-EU) →