How to Get a Residence Permit for Germany
A residence permit allows you to stay legally in Germany for a specific period. There are various types of residence permits depending on your purpose, such as employment, family reunification, self-employment, or studies. This article focuses on obtaining a residence permit for employment.
After holding a short-term residence permit for a while, you can apply for a long-term residence permit. If you're interested in this, you can find more information here.
Types of Residence Permits
Short-term residence permits differ in validity, purpose, and qualification level.
Residence can be obtained for the following purposes:
Salaried Employment:
General residence permit for employment
Blue Card for highly qualified individuals
Self-employment:
Residence permit for self-employment
Family Reunification:
Residence permit for spouses
Asylum Seekers:
Residence permit for asylum seekers
How to Obtain a Residence Permit for Work
Apply for a D-Visa: Start by applying for a long-term work visa (D-Visa) at your nearest German embassy. This visa allows you to move to Germany and begin working. It is valid for 3-12 months.
Convert D-Visa to Residence Permit: Once in Germany, apply to convert your D-Visa into a physical residence card (or Blue Card if highly qualified) at the local foreigners’ office (Ausländerbehörde).
Some nationalities, such as citizens of the USA, UK, North-Ireland, Israel, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia, can directly apply for a residence permit in Germany without needing a D-Visa. However, applying from abroad is often faster because German embassies are in many times better equipped than German foreigner halls. In case you are looking to start your job as soon as possible, we often recommend applying through a German embassy or consulate. This needs to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
If you already hold a different type of residence permit (e.g., for studies), you have to apply directly within Germany through your nearest foreigners’ hall (Ausländerbehörde).
Required Documents for a German Residence Permit
The required documents can vary, but generally include:
City registration
Declaration of employment (Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis)
Work contract
Passport copy
Current residence permit (for extensions)
Application form
Last three payment slips (if available)
German health insurance confirmation
For University Graduates from a non-German University:
University degree with translation and transcripts (if not in German or English)
Anabin database equivalency confirmation
For University Graduates from a German University:
University degree and transcripts (in case you have not received it yet, ask your University for a letter, confirming that you will be graduating soon)
For Developers:
Reference letters from previous employers
For Blue-Collar Workers:
Degree with translation and recognition
Which Work Permit Is Right for Me?
Blue Card: For highly qualified individuals with a degree equivalent to a German degree (checked via the Anabin database) and a salary above €45,300 (€41,042 for STEM positions). Developers do not need a degree but therefore need at least 2 years of work experience and a salary of €41,042.
Regular Residence Permit: For those not meeting Blue Card criteria, your salary should match the average wage for your position and your job should be in a shortage occupation.
Validity and Renewal
Blue Card: Usually valid for 4 years.
Regular Residence Permit: Valid for 2 years.
You can renew your residence permit as long as you remain employed. If your employment ends, inform the foreigners’ office, and they will give you a grace period to find a new job.
Carina is a co-founder of Jetztpat and has supported many foreigners when relocating to Germany. She is currently located in Stuttgart and loves travelling to distant places. While she has tried crazy food from all over the world, she has stayed deeply committed to “Spätzle mit Soße” and is always missing it, when she's abroad.