WORKING IN GERMANY: THE REQUIREMENTS
To work in Germany, you must have either a residence permit and a work visa. Everyone who has work and residence permit from German authorities are eligible to work in Germany. But there are some rule and restriction for some categories of applicants about their nationality and some agreements which needs to be signed between Germany and the respective country.
Eligible foreign workers are divided in three major categories:
EU, Switzerland and EEA Nationals
Applicants of this category don't have to worry about visa, you don't need a visa, work or residence permit to stay and work in Germany. You just have to register your residence once you are in Germany, using a passport or valid ID.
Shorter than three months
After you register your German address with the local municipality, you have freedom to work, stay and move in Germany for 3 months.
Longer than three months
After 3 months, if you plan to stay longer, you need to apply for a certificate of residence. Once you receive the certificate, you can stay in Germany as long as you want. Certificate might be dated as your employment contract, but it can be easily extended.
Nationals of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, and USA
People from these countries don't need a visa to entre Germany, nor do you need to have a job offer to come to Germany. However, if you want to stay you must register yourself at the foreigners office go get a residence permit. You also need to seek a work permit as soon as you reach to Germany to legally work in Germany.
Non-EU Nationals
People of this category need to apply for visa before coming to Germany, applicants are suggested to take a right type of visa depending on the purpose of vising in Germany. In order to get visa you need to provide proof that you have a job offer from a German company or institution. After you are Germany you need to apply for work and residence permit in Germany.
Temporary residence visa
This is a limited residence permit which allows you to stay in Germany usually for one year. But you can extend this permit if you fulfil all the requirements. This is the most common visa among the foreign national.
Self-employed visa
If you are planning to open your own business in Germany, there is a specific visa for you with some extra requirements. You need to get a special visa before you start working with your business.
Permanent settlement permit
This is a visa for those who wants to settle in Germany permanently, to apply for this visa you have to prove that you have worked in Germany for at least 5 years. After you have been in Germany for 5 years, you can apply for a permanent residence.
