You also receive points if you are a certain age. People who are no older than 35 get two points until the day they turn 35. All those aged between 35 and 40 are awarded one point. Previous stays in Germany: Have you already lived in Germany? If you can prove that you have resided legally in Germany for a continuous period of at least six months in the last five years, you will receive one point. Examples of such stays include study, language and work stays. Stays for the purpose of tourism or visiting [...] Job search opportunity card Are you interested in coming to Germany to look for a suitable job? Learn about the requirements for a job search opportunity card here. The opportunity card (Section 20a of the Residence Act [AufenthG]) improves your chances of making contact with German employers and finding qualified employment in Germany. To find out if you need to apply for an opportunity card visa to enter Germany, please refer to the Do I need a visa? section. What are the requirements for an o [...] [AufenthG]? The following options are open to you: Option 1: You have a foreign non-academic vocational or academic qualification that is fully recognised in Germany. Alternatively, you obtained your academic or non-academic vocational qualification in Germany. Tip If you obtained your academic or non-academic vocational qualification in Germany, you can immediately apply for a residence permit for jobseekers under Section 20 of the Residence Act [AufenthG]. This gives you more time to look for a job

employer after entering Germany and start working at the same time. Are you interested in working in Germany and need to get your foreign qualification recognised? A recognition partnership gives you the opportunity to go through the recognition procedure after you arrive in Germany, while working in your profession at the same time. For this purpose, you need a residence permit under Section 16d (3) of the Residence Act (AufenthG) . To find out if you need a visa to enter Germany, see the “ Do I need [...] partnership. Tip You should apply for recognition as soon as you arrive in Germany. Use the Recognition Finder to find out which office to contact. Options after successful completion of the recognition procedure The recognition procedure was successful: You have received full recognition of your professional qualification. For your further stay in Germany, you can now apply to the competent foreigners authority in Germany for a residence permit for skilled workers or an EU Blue Card . To do this [...] Enquire well in advance via the “ Working and Living in Germany ” hotline. Visa for employment within the framework of a recognition partnership From the preparatory stage to completing the application forms: this step-by-step guide shows you how to obtain a visa for employment within a recognition partnership. Download Print Recognition of foreign qualifications Getting a visa, or learning German? Contact points all over the world Webinar on work visas in Germany Print page share on LinkedIn share on X

cover your living costs, you will usually be able to extend your residence permit. You may be granted a settlement permit after five years in Germany. In this context, the general provisions under Section 9 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) apply. Do you want to live in Germany with your family? This residence permit enables you to do so. To find out what you need to consider and what the requirements are, see the “ Family life in Germany ” section. Explainer video: How do I find a job in Germany? WebTutorials [...] non-regulated profession , there are good career opportunities in Germany. In this case, you can obtain a residence permit for qualified employment in Germany under Section 19c (2) of the Residence Act [AufenthG]) in conjunction with Section 6 of the Ordinance on the Employment of Foreigners (BeschV). The formal recognition of your qualification in Germany is not necessary for this. To find out if you need a visa to enter Germany, see the “ Do I need a visa? ” section. What are the requirements for [...] professional experience must qualify you adequately for the job you want to do in Germany. In other words, it must be related to the profession you wish to pursue in Germany. Job offer : You have a concrete job offer in a non-regulated profession in Germany. In contrast to regulated professions , non-regulated professions are those whose practice is not protected by law. Most vocational training occupations in Germany are non-regulated. To find out which professions are regulated, visit the Federal

Quick-Check Check your options of working and living in Germany with our Quick-Check.

the corresponding country below. Discover your path to Germany. Find contact information and services provided by German institutions in Morocco Brief information in Arabic on working and living in Germany Would you like to receive information in Arabic on career opportunities and life in Germany? The Federal Government’s portal for qualified professionals from abroad summarises the most important information on working and living in Germany, visa and residence, as well as points of contact for you [...] Goethe-Institut People who would like to migrate to Germany permanently due to professional or private reasons receive qualified support to prepare for everyday life and the working life in Germany. The offers particularly include trainings aimed at specific target groups, regional studies and interculturality as well as services for counselling and remedial education. Learn more Supporting service of the Diakonie on site Are you thinking about moving to Germany? The Diakonie supports you with this endeavour [...] endeavour in your home country. Is doesn’t matter whether you like to come to Germany as a skilled worker, a prospective apprentice, student or an accompanying family member: here you can benefit from personalized counselling free of charge. Get help with the visa process, the recognition of qualifications, learning German and preparing for life in Germany. Learn more

Berlin The capital posts record numbers of start-up businesses. This is where the greatest number of new jobs are created in Germany. People from all over the world move to Berlin to live and work here. Many companies are setting up their headquarters in the capital: The city state of Berlin offers a unique research infrastructure, highly qualified professionals and a lively and inspiring creative scene. Modern, strong on technology; and open to innovation are the catchwords that best describe Berlin

doctoral studies at a German university. To find out if you need a visa to enter Germany, please refer to the “ Do I need a visa? ” section. What are the requirements to receive a visa for studying? You have been admitted to a state-recognised higher education institution in Germany. To find out how to apply for a place on a study programme in Germany, see the “Studies in Germany” section. You are able to cover your living costs for the duration of your study programme. You can prove that you have sufficient [...] you while you study in Germany and after you graduate in the “ Prospects after graduation ” section. Info box Graduates of German higher education institutions can apply for a settlement permit (Section 18c (1) sentence 2 of the Residence Act [AufenthG]) after working in Germany for more than two years. Mobility arrangements for international students Do you have a student visa from another EU country and would like to study in Germany for a while? If your stay in Germany does not exceed 360 days [...] Visa for studying With its wide range of study programmes and low tuition fees, Germany attracts many international students every year. Find out how to apply for a student visa here. Are you interested in studying in Germany? A German degree opens many doors. There is a wide range of international study programmes and the fees are low. With this in mind, you can obtain a visa for the purpose of studying in Germany. A residence permit under Section 16b of the Residence Act (AufenthG) is also valid

of research in Germany? Then a visa for research is probably exactly what you need. Are you looking to work in Germany as a researcher? If so, you will need to apply for a visa for research in accordance with Section 18d on the Residence Act - AufenthG . To find out whether you require a visa to enter Germany, see Who needs a visa? What are the requirements to receive a visa for research? You have concluded a hosting agreement or a work contract with a research institute in Germany. The research institute [...] part of a work contract with a research facility in Germany. If the research position is a component of the PhD program as a full-time program, only a visa for studying can be issued. Mobility arrangements for international researchers International researchers from non-EU member states who are legally residing in EU Member States may perform part of their research in Germany. In such cases, there are two options that allow you to stay in Germany: A residence permit for short-term research stays is [...] purposes. This permit must be valid for the duration of your planned stay in Germany for research purposes. You must submit a copy of a valid passport or travel document issued in lieu of a passport. You have a concluded a hosting agreement or a contract with a research facility in Germany. You must apply for the residence permit at your local foreigners authority at least 30 days prior to starting your stay in Germany. The application can also be submitted to the Federal Office for Migration and

Visa for language acquisition Would you like to learn German in Germany? Find out how to get a visa for language acquisition. You can take German language courses not only abroad, but also in Germany. A visa for language acquisition under Section 16f (1) of the Residence Act (AufenthG) permits entry and residence for this purpose. To find out if you need a visa to enter Germany, please refer to the “ Do I need a visa? ” section. What are the requirements for a language course visa? You have been [...] language courses. Evening and weekend courses are not sufficient. You are able to cover your living costs for the duration of your stay. Evidence can be provided by means of a blocked bank account or a declaration of commitment . Do you fulfil these requirements? Learn about the procedure for the entry and visa process . Please beware If you want to take a German course in preparation for studying or training in Germany, it may be the case that you do not need a German language course visa, but a visa to [...] the world The German language Learning German will change your life Information on the web Federal Foreign Office (FFO) You can find out which visa you need in order to come to Germany with the Visa-Navigator. Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) Centre of Excellence for Asylum, Migration and Integration in Germany Print page share on LinkedIn share on X (before: Twitter) share on Facebook share on WhatsApp mail

Email Please feel free to send your queries regarding work and life in Germany via e-mail. Experts are happy to advise you. Quick-Check In Germany, I’d like to... work. study. do vocational training. start up a business. do research. Start Important notice Below you can submit your questions about working and living in Germany to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and the Federal Employment Agency (BA). Please note that written enquiries cannot be processed promptly at present due [...] Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Federated States of Micronesia Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia Gabon Georgia Germany Ghana Great Britain Greece Grenada Guam Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia [...] Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Federated States of Micronesia Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia Gabon Georgia Germany Ghana Great Britain Greece Grenada Guam Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia