Checklist

Checklist: Types of Visas

• Tourist  visa - If you intend to visit Germany for less that 90 days as a tourist
• Temporary residence permit - If you are a foreign citizen not belonging to the EU and EEA  countries and want to stay in Germany for longer than 90 days. This residence permit can also be a work permit if the application was made for a ''residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment''.
• Residence permit for self-employed work - This permit is for self-employed immigrants that have an underlying business or economic interest in Germany as a location. The business activity must involve an investment of at least 500,000 Euros and create at least 5 jobs. Aliens over 45 years of age must prove that they have a pension.
• Permanent settlement permit - If a foreign resident has been in possession of a residence permit for five years, he may be issued a permanent settlement permit.  This also implies that the following prerequisites are fulfilled:  Knowledge of the German language, no previous convictions and the ability to engage in gainful employment.
• Settlement permit for highly-qualified foreigners - Scientists, researchers, academics, and specialists can obtain from the beginning of their stay a residence permit.  They are entitled to full access to the labor market and a permanent ''settlement permit''. Besides fulfilling the high qualification requirement, the applicant must have a minimum annual income of 64,800 €.

Note: Once a spouse or parent has received a resident permit, the family members are also entitled to reside and to take up gainful employment in Germany.

Immigration Act Ammendment for the subsequent immigration of spouses from abroad: Since August 28, 2007, foreign spouses must prove that they have basic knowledge of the German language when applying for a residence permit. For detailed information on this subject, please take a look at the website of the Federal Foreign Office.