Without a doubt, Germany is a great destination to become a residence with diverse people and, of course, endless opportunities. However, obtaining a residence permit in Germany is never a bad idea and is also required if you are planning on staying in Germany for more than 90 days.
Recently, many foreign nationals have found it difficult to process residence permits. They see it as tedious because they lack the simple information to obtain a German residence permit.
As long as you are a non-EU citizen and intend to stay in Germany for more than 90 days, you are required to apply for a residence visa. However, citizens of Australia, the USA, Canada, Japan, Israel, New Zealand, Switzerland, the Republic of Korea, and the EU can apply for a residence permit after moving to Germany without a visa.
Before I guide you through the process of how to get a residence permit, I will first outline some of the benefits of living (becoming a resident) in Germany.
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Benefits of Living in Germany
- Germany has nine borders which I consider the largest compared to other European countries. So, it is a great benefit for the residents of Germany.
2. The cost of living in Germany is low.
3. Germany has one of the most luxurious train systems.
4. Germany has a lot of public holidays, so you have more time to explore other cities in Germany.
5. They have many job opportunities, and it is very easy to get a job in Germany.
6. It is very easy for you to adapt to Germany as a foreigner.
7. They have one of the best healthcare centers.
8. Their education system is top-notched with students achieving best academic experiences.
9. Their internet service providers charge very little on internet plans and mobile data.
Now you know some of the benefits of living in Germany, let me simply brief you through the paths to obtaining a residence permit in Germany.
There are different paths to apply for a German residence permit. However, the path you follow depends on the purpose for your stay in Germany. Before I get started, let me quickly explain the major categories of residence permits.
Types of Residence Permits in Germany
1. Temporary residence permit
The temporary residence permit is the same as the limited residence permit. It is given to foreigners on their first arrival to Germany after they must have applied for it. Depending on the reason for stay, a limited time frame or period is given to users under the temporary residence permit.
Furthermore, this residence permit requires you to execute only the reason or purpose for migrating to Germany. For instance, if you came to study in Germany under a temporary residence permit, you are given a period of time to complete your study. You can’t use the temporary study residence permit to work.
2. EU Blue Card
This is similar to the temporary residence permit but has a longer validity and more usability. The EU Blue card is usually given to skilled employees. However, in other to qualify for the EU Blue card, it is required that you must have completed your higher education or master’s degree and then get a job related to your educational qualifications. Once your job allows you to earn a minimum of 50,000 Euros annually and you have High German proficiency, then you are eligible for the EU Blue card.
The validity of the EU Blue card is 4years, after which you can immediately apply for a permanent residence permit as long as you maintain your job.
3. Permanent residence permit
This is also known as a settlement permit because applicants plan to settle permanently in Germany. However, you are only eligible after you must have held the temporary residence permit for at least five years. However, a permanent residence permit eliminates every restriction on movements in Germany and other European countries. Unlike a temporary residence permit holder, you get to study and work anywhere without restrictions. Lastly, a permanent residence permit is a solid path to obtaining citizenship in Germany.
Paths to obtain a German Residence permit
There are various paths to obtaining a residence permit in Germany. These paths depend on the purpose for coming to Germany. They include;
1. Study purpose
If your reason for migrating to Germany is to study in Germany, as long as you plan to stay longer than 90 days to complete your education, you are required to apply for a residence permit.
In most cases, applicants get residence permits relative to the length of their program. Also, students can engage in work-study positions but are not allowed to engage in full-time job contracts. However, after education, international students are given a temporary permit for another 18 months to seek jobs, and after that, they can apply for a residence permit for employment.
2. Employment purpose
The residence permit is also given to foreign nationals who wish to work in Germany for longer than 90days. However, you are permitted to work in Germany after you must have gotten the residence permit document for work.
In other to get a temporary residence permit for work, there are certain requirements you must pass through, which include proof of German proficiency and also you must get an approval from the Federal Employment Agency in Germany. In most cases, your employer must prove that a German citizen could not fill the job position.
3. Marriage purpose
If you are a spouse who is a permanent resident of Germany or a German citizen, then you can apply for a residence permit in Germany. The process is very simple as long as you meet certain eligibility factors, including passing the German language and a few other factors.
At first, you are given a temporary residence permit, and after you must have lived with your spouse under the temporary residence permit for three years, you can apply for a permanent residence permit in Germany.
Requirements for Residence Permit in Germany
- Valid passport
- Passport-styled photograph
- Proof of German proficiency
- Proof of German health insurance
- Proof of financial stability
- If you are applying for study purposes, then you need to provide a letter of admission to the university
- If you are entering Germany for marriage purposes, you must provide a marriage certificate.
- Birth certificate, if applicable.
After you have obtained the above documents, you can begin your application process to obtain the residence permit in Germany.
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