If you are a foreigner seeking a German Residence Permit for Employment Purposes, you just picked a fantastic option!

In this article, you will learn everything you need about the German Residence Permit, with helpful information on job searching, applying for visas, getting work and residency permits, health insurance, taxes, and more.

If you’ve met the requirements, you can live and work in Germany even if you are not an EU citizen. It would be best if you had a German work and residence permit to reside and work there legally.

Moreover, you can get work and residence permits from the German Immigration Authority Office (Ausländerbehörde) by submitting a single application. However, most non-EU employees must also obtain visas overseas from a German Embassy or Consulate.

About German Residence Permit for Employment purposes

Non-EU nationals can work in Germany using the German Employment Residency Visa, a temporary residence permit. It is short-term permission for residency. It is given to those who already have a job offer or employment contract with a German firm.

You can apply for a German Residence Permit to work in Germany if you have a job offer or a work contract from a business there. However, the condition does not apply to many nations’ citizens.

You will be exempted from this requirement if you are a citizen of a nation that is a part of the European Union or the European Economic Area.

Work Permit Categories in Germany:

Depending on your credentials and type of job, there are many types of German work permits:

General Work Visa – If you’ve found a job in Germany that an EU citizen couldn’t have filled, you can apply for this German work permit. You don’t require outstanding talents as long as you are competent for the position.

Visa for Highly Skilled Workers – If you are a highly skilled worker with extensive experience and a high income, you can apply for this work permit.

The EU Blue Card for Germany – If your income will be at least €56,800 annually, or €44,304 annually if you are in a shortage occupation, you may apply for an EU Blue Card.

Work Permission for Freelancers – If you are a freelancer or self-employed person and can demonstrate that you have potential clients, you may apply for this form of permit.

Germany’s Eligible foreign workers

Anyone who finds a job in Germany is eligible to apply for a German work visa, although the procedure and conditions vary based on your country of origin. There are three good groups according to nationality:

1. EU/EEA/Switzerland

2. American, Canadian, Israeli, Japanese, Australian, New Zealand, or South Korean

3. Non-EU citizens

European Union, Swiss, Liechtenstein, Norwegian, or Icelandic nationals working abroad:

To work in Germany, you do not need to get a visa or a permit if you are a citizen of the European Union, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Iceland. Furthermore, you only need to register if your stay is more than three months. However, you must go to the neighborhood Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde) or Residence Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) to register your vote.

American, Canadian, Australian, New Zealander, Israeli, Japanese, or South Korean foreign workers:

You can travel to Germany, look for employment, and apply for a work and residence visa directly from the Ausländerbehörde if you are from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan, or South Korea. The German Embassy in your home country does not need you to get an entrance visa to work there.

Non-EU citizens

The work visa application is a little complicated if you are from a non-EU nation (other than the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan, or South Korea). You need to:

• Get a job.
• Request an entry visa from the German Embassy for work-related activities.
• Visit Germany and submit an application for a work and residency visa at the Ausländerbehörde.

As an alternative, you could also:

• Apply for a Germany Job-Seeker Visa.
• Acquire employment.
• Send the Ausländerbehörde your application for a work residency permit.

You cannot apply for a work permit and enter Germany on a Schengen visa or through a visa-free program. Your application will be denied right away.

You must demonstrate to the Immigration Authority that you entered Germany for work-related purposes, not a vacation.

Steps to Apply for the German Residence Permit

Once in Germany, you must apply to the German Immigration Authorities (Ausländerbehörde) for a single work and residence visa.

For the most part, a visa is required from the German Embassy to visit the nation. The following is the application procedure:

1. Visit the German Embassy to apply for work or job-seeker visas.

2. Register your residential address with the Bürgeramt in your community.

3. Purchase health insurance.

4. Schedule a meeting with the Ausländerbehörde.

5. Assemble the necessary paperwork.

6. Visit the Ausländerbehörde to submit your work and residence visa application.

#Step 1. Visit the German Embassy to apply for work or job-seeker visas.

You can apply for a job-seeker visa or an employment visa for Germany. Whether you have a work offer or not determines the sort of visa you should use for:

• If you already have a job offer from a firm in Germany and wish to visit the country to obtain a work and residence permit, you must apply for an employment visa.
• If you wish to visit Germany and look for work there, you must apply for a Job-Seeker Visa. You have six months to hunt for a job and secure employment within that period. You can submit your work and residency permit application when you’ve secured a position.

Long-term visas are referred to as employment and job-seeker visas. You must lawfully enter Germany and inform the authorities that your journey is for the aim of settling and working there. In addition, you must submit your resident permit application before your visa expires.

Almost everyone is required to apply for a visa at the German Embassy or Consulate in their native country to work or look for work.

#Step 2. Register your residential address with the Bürgeramt in your community.

When you locate a place to live in Germany and move in, you must visit the neighborhood Bürgeramt to register your address. Here is how it works:

(i) Make an appointment by calling the neighborhood Bürgeramt. If you’re unsure of its location or how to contact it, search online for “Bürgeramt + the name of your city.”

(ii) The registration form in its entirety. The paper is available for download or in hard copy at the Bürgeramt.

(iii) Gather these papers:

• Agreement for Rent
• Statement from your landlord attesting to your residence at the given address.
• Your ID card.

(iv) On the day of your appointment, turn in the paperwork to the Bürgeramt.

(v) Purchase your residence registration document (Meldebescheinigung). When you apply for a work and residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde, you must present this document. Typically, you will get it the same day that you apply.

#Step 3. Purchase health insurance.

After receiving a work-related residence permit, you may enroll in Germany’s mandatory health insurance program. You must still have insurance when you apply, though.

Your best choice right now is to get a private health insurance plan because public health insurers will probably not agree to cover you if you don’t have a valid residency permit yet.

After your application has been approved, you will be qualified for the government-run health insurance program.

#Step 4. Schedule a meeting with the Ausländerbehörde (German Immigration Authorities)

After obtaining health insurance and registering your residence, you should schedule an appointment with the German Immigration Authorities (Ausländerbehörde).

Find the website for the Ausländerbehörde office you need to see, then follow the instructions to make an appointment. Multiple Ausländerbehörde offices depend on the region.

For instance, if you live in Berlin, you may schedule an appointment with the Ausländerbehörde here.

After making an appointment, you will often receive a confirmation email with the meeting’s time, date, and location, along with an appointment number.

#Step 5. Assemble the necessary Documents.

When requesting a work and residency visa in Germany, you must provide the following documents:

• Passport.
• Passport-size photos
• Residency permit application form.
• Statement of the Employment Relationship.
• Job contract or offer.
• The Registration Certificate (Meldebescheinigung).
• The housing lease and a written letter from your landlord confirm your residency.
• College or university diploma.
• Evidence of health insurance.
• An academic resume (CV).
• Bank Records.
• Resume letter.
• And whatever further paperwork that the Ausländerbehörde may demand.

#Step 6. Visit the Ausländerbehörde to submit your application for a work and residence visa.

On the day of your appointment, take all the necessary documentation and your completed application to the Ausländerbehörde. As with any bureaucratic procedures, you might have to wait a bit before your number is called, but you should still show up a little early. Likewise, bear in mind the following:

• Even if it’s more “formal,” office-style attire, dress accordingly.
• Keep all of your papers neatly arranged in a binder or folder.
• Bring cash or a credit card. You need to pay an application fee as well.

In addition, It will take a few weeks from the time you apply to get a response. However, the fact that you are awaiting a judgment makes your stay legitimate; therefore, even if the waiting period exceeds the duration of your entrance visa, it is not an issue.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who Needs an Employment Residence Permit?

Anyone who has a job offer from an employer in Germany is eligible to get a German Residence Permit for employment purposes.

Can a German Work Residence Permit be Extended?

A German employment residence permit may be extended, yes. However, before your visa expires, you should apply to the immigration authorities. You can apply for a permanent settlement permit in Germany if you have been present there on a work visa for 33 months.

Can I Bring My Dependents to Germany With a German Residence Permit for Employment Purposes?

You can bring your family to Germany if you obtain a Work Residence Permit. Note that the only people who may accompany you are your spouse and your children(under 18).