Non-Eu-nationals can reside in German for a limited time if holding a German temporary residence permit. However, it is not difficult to extend your residence permit as long as the applicant meets the requirements, so you can stay in Germany for longer.
Among the different types of temporary residence permit such as the student residence permit, we find the German Residence Permit for Employment. Thanks to this permit, non-EU nationals can work in Germany, either acquiring professional experience or putting professional expertise into practice.
To apply for a German residence permit for employment you need to already have a valid job offer or job contract from a German employer.
Take also into consideration that nationals from many countries are exempt from obtaining this permit. Specifically, nationals from the European Union/European Economic Area or one of the following countries:
- Australia
- Canada
- EE.UU.
- Israel
- Japan
- New Zealand
- South Korea
The validity of a work permit is subject to the validity of your contract of employment. Though most residence permits generally last one year, you can extend it if meeting the required conditions.
To extend your residence permit, you must notify the Immigration Service before your visa expires. Those worker visa holders that have stayed in Germany for more than 33 months can apply for a permanent settlement authorization. The authorization is generally granted for one year. You have the opportunity to extend it later, however.
German residence permit holders are allowed to bring family members with them to Germany. However, be aware that:
- Only your spouse and children under 18 are eligible.
- You have extra financial resources to cover your family members’ daily living expenses.
- Your new home must be big enough to accommodate them.
- Your family members should also have basic knowledge of the German language.
How to Apply for a Residence Permit for Employment?
Would you like to apply for a German residence permit for employment? Read how to do it step by step.
- Obtain a German visa from your home country
There are two different visas you can apply for: the Long-stay Employment Visa and the German Job Seeker Visa. Through this last visa, holders are allowed to come to Germany and find a job, attending interviews and going through different selection procedures till obtaining a valid job offer. German job seeker visa holders can stay in Germany for up to six months. If they are not able to find a job after this time, they must return home.
To obtain a German national visa, you need to go through different steps too: gathering the required documents, attending a visa interview and paying the visa fees (75 Eur). If you go through them successfully, you will get a visa and will be allowed to travel and stay in Germany freely.
- Register your new address
Once you arrive, you have two weeks to notify German authorities about your new address. Attend the nearest registration office from your place of residence and submit the necessary documents to prove that the provided information is true, such as bills, or rental contract. To register your address in Germany is a simple process and may take you little time.
- Apply for an employment residence permit
The first thing you should do to apply for an employment residence permit is to schedule an appointment with German Immigration Services. You will need to attend a short interview with an immigration officer. The Immigration Service will give you an answer whether your application was accepted or not in two or three weeks, which is the estimated processing time for a residence permit.
It is also compulsory to pay the fee. Fees vary from 56 to 100 Eur depending on your nationality among others. Exceptionally, Turkish nationals only pay a fee of 28.80 Eur.
Notice: Don’t forget to bring all the required documents to apply for an employment residence permit on the day of your appointment.
You can learn what documents you are required to submit in the following section.
What Documents Am I Required To Submit?
You must bring the required documents on the day you attend the application center. In this section, you will find precise information about required documents, though I bet you will be happy to hear that most of the documents you need to submit to apply for a German residence permit for employment are the same that you submitted when you applied for a German national visa. Anyway, we will mention every single document you need, so make sure to obtain the ones you haven’t in advance.
To apply for a German residence permit, you need:
- Your registered address confirmation.
- Work contract (valid for the whole duration of the residence permit) describing your main functions at the workplace and salary.
- Proof of accommodation (e.g., a rental contract, purchase contract of propriety, etc.).
- Proof that you have enough economical resources to cover your daily expenses (e.g., work contract, payslips of the last 6 months, etc.).
- Germany Settlement Permit Application Form.
- Public or private health insurance covering the costs of accidents, illnesses and repatriation.
- Documents showing that you pay into the pension system.
- German language certificate or document proving that you have completed an integration course so you know basic German and are familiar with rules, traditions and life in the country.
- Academic certificates proving your qualifications.
- Valid passport.
- Biometric photo complying with official requirements for German residence permit photos. Read the following section for further information.
German Residence Permit Photo
Before you take a German permanent residence photo, be sure to learn the different requirements. Photos can be refused easily, so the entire application process would need to be repeated again, making you waste a considerable amount of time.
We are aware that most biometric photos may look similar to you, and we partly agree though there are always some requirements making one photo distinct from another. A single aspect can invalidate your photo, such as background color or photo size.
Take a look at official requirements for a German permanent residence photo and do not take the risk.
