Status of Residency

One applies for a visa to legally enter Germany from a foreign, non-EU-country. The visa is valid for a short period of time and therefore not suitable for a long-term stay.

The residence permit is temporary. One can apply for it at the Department of immigration. The reasons for applying for it are: an apprenticeship, a job, because of political, social and humanitarian circumstances, family-related circumstances.

Applies to foreign employees of German enterprises. The blue card makes a stay of up to four years possible. The basis for this is a university degree recognized as valid by the German state, identifying the applicant as especially qualified.

The permanent residence permit is temporarily and locally unlimited and gives the person concerned the opportunity to practise their profession.

Requirements for this are:

• …that the person is at least five years in Germany and has a residence permit (refugees sometimes have to fulfil only three consecutive years, if the reasons for their entry are still prevailing)
• they have a permanent housing situation
• they did not commit crimes
• they have a basic knowledge about the German language
• the know their way around the German legal system and the principles of the German society

The basis for this is, that an applicant is in the eyes of the German state economically and socially well integrated. What differentiates the permanent EU residence most form the permanent residence permit is, that after the receipt one can move permanently to another EU-country. Requirements are…

• a firm grasp on the German language
• a steady, regular and adequate livelihood (enough to provide for possible family members, too)
• knowledge of the German legal system and society
• no committed crimes
• residence in Germany for at least five consecutive years

While waiting for the outcome of the asylum procedure, asylum seekers are given a Aufenthaltsgestattung. That means, that they are allowed to reside and work in Germany for the duration of the asylum procedure if they comply with certain regulations.

If a refugee is not part of the asylum system anymore or if the the application for asylum was denied but the deportation suspended he/she can get an exceptional leave to remain.

If at the end of the asylum process the application is approved, the asylum seeker is granted the residence permit.