Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C)
Travellers visiting Germany for tourism, family visits or business for up to 90 days.
National (D) Long-Stay Visa
Anyone entering Germany for a stay longer than 90 days for work, study, training or family.
EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU)
University-educated professionals with a qualifying German job offer and salary.
Skilled Worker Visa (Fachkräfte, §18a/§18b)
Qualified professionals with a recognised degree or vocational qualification and a job offer.
Skilled Worker with Work Experience (§19c(2))
Professionals with vocational/academic training and proven experience, without full recognition.
Recognition Partnership Visa (Anerkennungspartnerschaft)
Skilled workers who start a job and complete qualification recognition in Germany.
Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)
Skilled jobseekers who score enough points to look for qualified work in Germany.
Job Seeker Visa for Qualified Professionals
Degree-holders who want to enter Germany to look for skilled employment.
Student Visa (Studienvisum)
International students admitted to a German university or higher education programme.
Student Applicant Visa (Studienbewerbervisum)
Prospective students who must apply to or prepare for a German university in country.
Language Course Visa (Sprachkursvisum)
People attending an intensive German language course in Germany.
Vocational Training Visa (Berufsausbildung)
People undertaking recognised company-based or school vocational training in Germany.
Visa to Seek a Vocational Training Place
Young people who want to come to Germany to look for an apprenticeship.
Post-Study Job Search Permit
Graduates of German universities staying on to find work matching their degree.
Researcher Visa (§18d)
Researchers with a hosting agreement at a German research institution.
Self-Employment Visa (§21 Selbständige Tätigkeit)
Entrepreneurs setting up or running a business that benefits the German economy.
Freelance Visa (§21 Freiberufler)
Self-employed professionals in liberal occupations such as artists, IT or consultants.
ICT Card (Intra-Corporate Transfer)
Managers, specialists or trainees transferred to a German branch of their company.
Working Holiday Visa
Young people from partner countries combining travel with casual work for a year.
Au Pair Visa
Young people living with a German host family doing childcare in exchange for board.
Voluntary Service Visa (Freiwilligendienst)
People doing a recognised voluntary service such as FSJ, FÖJ or BFD in Germany.
Family Reunion Visa - Spouse/Partner
Spouses or registered partners joining a resident or German citizen in Germany.
Family Reunion Visa - Child
Minor children joining a parent who holds residence in or is a citizen of Germany.
Family Reunion Visa - Parent
Parents joining a minor child who holds German residence, or in hardship cases.
Settlement Permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis)
Long-term residents who have met work, language and integration requirements.
Settlement Permit for Skilled Workers (Fast Track)
Skilled workers and graduates qualifying for accelerated permanent residence.
EU Long-Term Residence Permit (Daueraufenthalt-EU)
Long-term residents wanting EU-wide mobility rights from their German residence.
German Citizenship by Naturalisation
Long-term residents who meet residence, language and integration requirements.
Asylum / Refugee Protection
People fleeing persecution or serious harm seeking protection in Germany.