German
Residence Permit

If you are a non-EU national and you have been offered a job by a German employer, you will have to apply for a German Residence Permit. Usually the German residency permit will be issued for the duration of your job offer with a maximum stay of 5 years.

Certain passport holders may apply for a residence permit after arrival in Germany - nationals of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the United States.

The visa application will be submitted by the German mission to the local aliens authority where you intend to reside in Germany. In most cases the aliens authority has to coordinate its decision with the local labour office. The German mission abroad can only issue the visa after the aliens authority and the labour office have given their approval. The German mission abroad can only issue the visa after the aliens authority and the labour office have given their approval. If you are a highly-skilled worker (qualified at a degree level) or your occupation is in high demand in Germany you will have easier access to the German labour market. A Residency permit can be approved only when there are no suitable German or EU nationals for the position. The labour office may conduct a labour market test to check the availability for your occupation in Germany prior to your permit being issued. No labour market test will be required if you are degree qualified and you have a job offer with a salary higher than EUR 44,800.

You may apply for a German Residence permit if you are self-employed as well. You will need to prove that your business project will be of interest to the German economy and will be financially stable.