For many expatriates, Germany is a popular country to give life a new twist. Whether you want to study, work or move with your partner or relatives in Germany, there are different types of German visas depending on the purpose of your stay. In this blog post, we will go over the German visa types and the requirements for legal residency in Germany.
Citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland do not need a visa to enter Germany, regardless of the purpose and duration of their stay. All they need to do is register with their city’s Residents’ Registration Office within two weeks of arrival.
However, a visa is required for most other nationalities. Below is an overview of the most common types of visas for long-term residence in Germany.

German D-type visa for Study

1. Student Visa

Congratulations! You have been accepted at a German university. You have no time to lose: You should apply for your German student visa as soon as possible because the later you apply, the fewer places there may be for an interview. In order to get a visa, it’s important that you can prove your financial means. You must have at least €934 per month to prove that you can cover the cost of housing in Germany. There are several ways to meet these financial requirements:

➤ Blocked bank account. Read our blog post about blocked bank accounts. Deutsch Express can help you open an account in minutes!
➤ Letter of Commitment. A person living in Germany can issue you this declaration, committing to pay for your accommodation and other living expenses. Read our blog about the Verpflichtungserklaerung, and what the procedure and conditions are.
➤ Letter of declaration. Your parents agree to support you financially during your stay.
➤ Scholarship Certificate. If you have received a scholarship, the certificate should state what the scholarship will be used for and that you’re the recipient of this financial support.

In addition to your admission letter, you may need proof of your German language skills if you wish to attend German-language lectures. Note that most universities require at least the B1 language level.

After you pay the €75 fee for the German student visa, it usually takes four to eight weeks to process. With this visa, you can stay in Germany for the first 3 months. Within this period, you must apply for a residence permit to study. Deutsch Express will assist you in converting your initial visa into a residence permit.

Once you have completed your studies, you have the possibility to apply for a residence permit for job seekers. With such a residence permit you can look for a job in Germany for up to 6 months. Do you have an employment contract in hand? Hooray! Read below about the possibilities of a work-related residence permit.

2. German Language Course Visa

There is no better way to learn a foreign language than to attend a language course in the country where that language is spoken. With the visa for a German course you have the possibility to attend a language course with a duration of 10 weeks up to one year, which should include at least 18 lessons per week.

The visa is valid only for the duration of the course and cannot be extended. If your language course lasts longer than 3 months, you must apply for a residence permit within 90 days after your arrival in Germany.

If you wish to continue your studies in Germany after the language course, you must first return to your home country to apply for a new visa. It is not possible to apply for a student visa/residence permit while you are still in Germany.

German D-type visa for Work

With a variety of job opportunities, numerous benefits for workers, and one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe, Germany is a desirable country to work in. Applying for a work visa is the first step in becoming an employee in Germany. Generally, the visa processing time depends on the workload that the embassy/consulate has at the time of application. Since it can take up to 3 months, it’s best to apply as early as possible.

In addition to the standard documents required to apply for a German visa, you’ll already need a signed employment contract from your future employer. The fee for the work visa is €75 in total and won’t be refunded if your visa is rejected.

After you have received your visa and arrived in Germany, you’ll need to apply for a German residence permit before you can start working. (We can help you with this!) The duration of your residence permit is based on the duration of your employment contract and can be extended as long as your employment status doesn’t change.

The EU Blue Card

Similar to a work visa, the European Blue Card entitles the holder to a temporary residence permit for employment purposes. However, it is issued only to highly skilled non-EU citizens. You are eligible if:

➤You are a qualified professional with a university degree recognized or comparable in Germany.
➤You have a confirmed job offer from a German employer that matches your professional qualifications.
➤Your gross annual salary is at least 1.5 times the national average. As of 01.01.2023, this means an annual income of at least €58,400.
➤at least €45,552 for a STEM profession (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) or human medicine (except dentistry)

The EU Blue Card is limited to four years and requires a processing time of 5 to 6 weeks. The fee is between 100 and 140 €. After 33 months of working in Germany, you can receive a permanent residence permit. If you can prove German language skills at a minimum level of B1, you can receive it after only 21 months. If you lose your job, you have three months to look for another qualified job. Once you have settled, you no longer have to report to the Aliens’ Registration Office if you change or lose your job.

Job Seeker Visa

If you are interested in finding work in Germany, the visa for job seekers allows you to stay in Germany for 6 months and seek employment. However, it cannot be extended. If you do not find work within this period, you must return to your home country.

To apply for the visa, you must be of legal age (18 years old) and have a university degree recognized in Germany. Work experience is also required: you should have at least 5 years of practical knowledge to be eligible for the job seeker visa.

Make sure you gather all the required documents when submitting your application. This includes you:

➤ Resume that includes all of your education and work histories.
➤ A cover letter written and signed by you, explaining the exact purpose, the procedure for finding a job, and the duration of your stay in Germany, as well as your further professional plans.
➤ Sufficient financial means to finance the duration of your stay. Please also read our blog about blocked bank accounts.
➤ Confirmation of payment of the visa fee in the amount of 75 €.

It’s advantageous to include certain documents with your application, such as your academic or professional credentials, letters of recommendation, or a German language certificate. If you’re lucky enough to find a job during the six months your visa is valid, you aren’t allowed to start working yet. To finally be able to work, you must first apply for a work visa.

Visas for family reunion purposes

After your partner has found a job and settled in Germany, you have the right to move in with him. In order to obtain a visa for family reunification, you and the family member you want to join must meet some requirements.

1. Requirements for the relative/spouse/partner residing in Germany

➤ Residence permit
➤ Health insurance
➤ Proof of financial stability. Income is calculated after deducting rent and loans and cannot be less than the limit at which the family would have access to government benefits.
➤ Sufficient space. There must be at least 12 square feet of space for each family member over the age of six. For children under six, 10 m² is required.

2. Requirements for the person who wants to join

➤ 18 years old or older.
➤ Basic knowledge of the German language.
However, if your family member is either an EU Blue Card holder, self-employed, or researcher/highly skilled in Germany, there are no age or language requirements.

If your spouse received a residence permit after your marriage, you may have to wait 2 years before you can apply for the visa. The visa fee is €75 for adults and €37.50 for children up to 18 years old.

The processing time may take several weeks to months. Once you have received the visa, you will be issued a residence permit that is valid as long as your family member, partner or spouse lives in Germany.

3. Requirements for Children

The good news first: there is hardly any requirement for children. If your children are under 16, you can easily bring them to Germany without having to meet any requirements.

However, if you are a single parent, you must have custody of your child. If your child is 16-18 years old, he/she must not be married and must speak fluent German in order to obtain a family reunification visa.

Once you understand which procedure and type of visa is suitable for you, the first thing you should do is read our guide 7 Things You Should Do Before Moving to Germany.