Residence Permit Germany

Temporary Residence Permit

A temporary residence permit is for those who will only need to stay in Germany for a limited period. This type of permit will be issued to those who hope to reside in the country for a specific purpose.

There are a few subcategories of temporary residence permits in Germany, including:

• Student residence permit.
• Residence permits for temporary employment.
• Residence permits for humanitarian or political reasons.
• Family residence permit.

Each of the above will have its own specific requirements. Temporary residence permit holders can apply for an extension of these permits in some cases. A good example would be someone on a student permit who still needs to graduate.

Permanent Settlement Permit

A permanent residence permit is a type of permit that enables the applicant to stay in Germany on an unlimited basis; however, some conditions need to be met for this, including:

• The applicant must have lived in Germany for a minimum of 5 years on a temporary residence permit.
• The applicant is financially able to maintain themselves.
• The applicant has paid their contributions into the statutory pension scheme in Germany for a minimum of five years.
• The applicant has the required levels of knowledge of the German language.
• The individual has a basic knowledge of the legal and social system’s structure and the way of life in Germany.
• The applicant has a living space for themselves (and their family, if applicable) in Germany.

ICT Card

ICT cards are temporary permits for workers who have been transferred to Germany to work for a German branch of the company. This can be issued for three years of residence. This residence card also has specific criteria that must be met, including:

• The applicant has to be a non-EU national.
• The applicant works as a specialist or manager for the host company.
• The company’s intra-transfer is more than 3 months.
• The Federal Employment Agency of Germany approved this intra-transfer.
• The applicant can provide a valid contract for the entire period of residency.
• The applicant can provide evidence of their professional qualifications.

Trainees are also eligible for this; however, where this is the case, the validity of the ICT card will be no longer than 12 months.

Mobile ICT Card

A Mobile ICT card (Mobile Intra-Corporate Transfer) is a permit enabling temporary stays in Germany. This is granted to individuals who have a valid residence title issued by another country and wish to move to Germany for an intra-transfer.

This card requires:

• The applicant works as a manager, trainee, or specialist.
• The transfer will last longer than 3 months.
• The applicant has a work contract for the duration of this transfer.
• Appropriate German language knowledge is known.
• The German Federal Employment Agency approves the transfer.

EU Blue Card

The German EU Blue Card is a residence permit that is available to third-country individuals for highly qualified employment in Germany or a different EU country. This option will have a validity of any time up to four years.

The criteria for this specific permit include:

• The individual should have a German or otherwise recognized qualification from higher education.
• The applicant has a minimum of five years of work experience in their field of expertise.
• The applicant has had employment approval from the Federal Employment Agency in Germany.
• The applicant obtains a salary that is equal to, or exceeds, as stipulated by German law.

This residence permit type can lead to permanent settlement if the applicant holds their employment position for a minimum period of 33 months.

EU Long-Term Residence Permit

EU Long-Term Residence Permits are permanent residence permits that are equal to permanent settlement. The criteria include:

• The applicant has had residence in the EU for at least 5 years.
• The applicant has a fixed, regular income.
• The applicant has sufficient command of the German language.
• The applicant possesses enough living space for themselves and members of their family.

Overview

There are five key steps in applying for a German residence permit:

1. Registering your German address.
2. Obtaining your health insurance and a German bank account.
3. Fill out an application form and arrange an appointment.
4. Attending your appointment.
5. Downloading your Germany Visa Application Form.

1. Registering Your German Address

Regardless of whether or not you are applying from within Germany or your home country, the first thing to do is register the new German address with the German authorities. This is an essential aspect of being eligible for a permit.

Those who do not register their German address could get fined, and the permit will end up being denied.

2. Health Insurance And Bank Account

Those who have not already arranged for health insurance in Germany will need to do so before applying. It is a requirement to be insured and covered; however, foreign insurance policies are rarely accepted. Ensure you have coverage from a company in Germany.

Additionally, opening a bank account in Germany will aid in financial stability. Transfer your funds there, and then any bank statements can prove that you can support yourself in Germany when attached to other documents.

3. Filling Out The Application form and Arrange An Appointment

Applicants can apply for their residence permit from their local immigration office. From here, they can pick up an application form and also set an appointment. Obtaining an appointment as soon as possible is best. Immigration offices in Germany can be very crowded and have long waiting times; therefore, arranging an appointment promptly is best to avoid a waiting period exceeding 90 days.

4. Attend The Appointment

On the day of the appointment, try to arrive as early as possible. Applicants will probably have to wait even with a set appointment time. Bring all documents with you to ensure you are not missing anything.

When the appointment occurs, there will be an interview that lasts 10 minutes or so. During this time, the officer will look at your document file, and should everything be in order, the applicant will then be sent home to await the processing of their application.

If any documents are missing, the applicant will need to arrange another appointment to bring the missing documents.

The request will then be processed, which takes two to three weeks, and after this, an answer will be given. If the application is successful, the applicant can stay in Germany for the length of time that the permit allows.

However, if the application is denied, it is best to uncover why this was the case and be sure to make the necessary changes to your application for the next time.