Who needs a visa?

For stays longer than 90 days, foreign citizens generally require a visa. Excluded from this are EU citizens (European Union), citizens of the EEA (European Economic Area) and citizens of Switzerland.

Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United States of America and the UK and Northern Ireland can also obtain a required residence permit after entering Germany from the immigration authorities responsible in Germany. You do not need to apply for a visa before moving to Germany.

For all other nationals residing in France, the following applies: visas for a long-term stay must be obtained from the Embassy in Paris before entering the country.

Exceptions may apply in the context of researcher and student mobility.

Which type of visa must I apply for?

The Visa Navigator will help you find out whether you need to apply for a visa and, if so, which type: Visa Navigator

Information on the individual visa types can also be found on the German Federal Government's portal “Working in Germany: the official website for qualified professionals”

How do I apply for the visa?