WHY MIGRATE TO GERMANY?

Irrespective of the reason for which you want to migrate to Germany, there are certain eligibility requirements that you should meet:

Financial stability: Certain financial requirements will have to be met as proof that you can financially support yourself while in Germany. If you are coming to Germany with a job offer, you still need the initial funds to meet expenses until you get your first salary.

Health insurance: It’s mandatory to have health insurance coverage before you migrate to the country.

Basic proficiency in German: You will need basic proficiency, generally B1 level, in German. C1 or C2 level proficiency will be needed for permanent residence in Germany.

Germany has a well-organized and efficient visa processing system. The country offers several visa options based on your country of origin. Those belonging to EU nations do not need a work visa or permit to work in Germany. Those from non-EU nations must apply for a work visa.

If you already have a job offer in Germany and are a graduate or post-graduate, you can apply for an EU Blue Card before moving to Germany. However, the easiest way to get a work visa in Germany is to apply for the Germany Jobseeker visa.

IELTS is not required to qualify for a German work visa.

The English language requirements are dependent on the type of job you are applying for. If the job is for a position that involves traveling around the world, then a certain level of English proficiency is required. In such cases, it would be no harm to get an IELTS certification which is a validation of your English proficiency.

The right educational qualification, work experience, and a basic knowledge of German will improve your prospects of finding a job here.

No, the JSV can’t be extended.

If you find a job in Germany within the allotted six months, you can apply for a working visa/residence permit from within the country. There is no need to go back to your home country to apply.

Indeed! Germany now needs highly-skilled immigrants in large numbers. They are welcomed to the country as their role in the economy is significant.

There are 2 levels of acceptance immigrants get in any country: how the government receives them and how the people of the country receive them. In the case of Germany, it’s interesting to learn how immigrants are welcomed in the country.

The German government has many plans for skilled immigrants to move to Germany. The Skilled Immigration Act in Germany is proof of how the government is making immigration easier for foreign nationals. The Act governs the granting of residence permits for purposes like seeking work, work, seeking training, training, or for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications.

Now, it’s easier for skilled workers having vocational, non-academic training from non-EU countries to migrate to work in Germany. The current conditions for qualified professionals holding university degrees will stay, granted some rule relaxations. As per the new updates of the Act,

• The definition of a qualified professional has been improved to help more immigrants to access Germany immigration.
• The process of entering the German labor market has been made easier.
• Employment in occupations related to the main job also becomes an option for an immigrant in Germany.
• For occupations in Germany currently facing a worker shortage, qualified foreign professionals with vocational training hailing from a non-EU country will also get to work in Germany.
• Opportunities to arrive in Germany with the aim of undertaking training are being improved.

Lately, Willkommenskultur (“Welcome Culture”) is gaining ground among the people of Germany. The skepticism around immigration to Germany has waned considerably. More Germans now acknowledge the potential benefits of immigration. This is especially true for the German economy.

Here are some factors about Germany that we will share with you that will help you decide if Germany is good for you.

• The good news for migrants to Germany is that no tuition fees are charged in most German universities. Even when you have to pay fees, it’s still much more affordable when compared to a lot of other countries including the USA.
• Germany has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe.
• The cities in Germany feature a lot of green areas which include parks and other green areas.
• Here are some benefits that the German government offers German residents and citizens:
  • Excellent healthcare system: WHO ranks Germany’s healthcare system in the top 25 worldwide. Germany has made it mandatory for every resident in Germany to be insured.
  • Paid sick leave: You are allowed to take paid sick days from work to rest and recharge in German companies. As an employee, you can get up to 6 weeks of paid sick leave.
  • Unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld): In case you lose your job after 1 year of working in Germany, you are eligible to apply for unemployment benefits. You will receive around 60% of your last three salaries as monthly financial assistance from the German government for up to 1 year or until you find new employment.
  • Maternity leave (Mutterschutz): Most pregnant women working in a German company are entitled for up to 14 weeks of maternity leave (6 weeks before and 8 weeks after childbirth).
  • Parental leave (Elternzeit): New parents are allowed to take up to 3 years off from work to take after their kids. It’s possible to split the time between the 2 parents. Though this is unpaid leave, they can apply for a parental allowance for governmental support
  • Parental allowance (Elterngeld): A monthly parental allowance of €300 to €1.800 euros is granted to residents. The amount of allowance depends on the parents’ income before the child is born. This allowance is granted to new families who take parental leave or work not more than 30 hours a week.
• Owing to the job security ensured in Germany, German employers can’t lay you off from a job without a foolproof reason. Even after getting unemployed, residents in Germany are entitled to unemployment benefits.
• Any contract made in Germany is usually drafted for 12 to 24 months. Contracts usually require advance notice of a month after the first 24 months.
• Germans don’t make friends too easily and don’t care for fleeting associations.
• You have to deal with bureaucracy and this could affect your getting internet connections.

Most of the year, Germany has gloomy weather. So, be prepared to deal with the weather.

The major reasons to immigrate to Germany include employment, education, entrepreneurship, permanent residence, and family reunions. Though visas for each of these purposes could have specific requirements, the following are the general requirements for Germany immigration:

• You have to prove that you have the financial resources to live in Germany.
• You must have health insurance coverage that’s approved in Germany. It’s recommended that you have a German health insurance policy.
• Your proficiency in the German language must be of at least A1/A2 which is equivalent to basic knowledge. You could be at level B1/B2, which is the proficient level, or C1/C2, which is the advanced level.
• Hold a German visa if you are from a country that has no exemptions; E.g., third countries.

Immigrating for work

Germany is in need of highly-skilled foreign workers and so you can step in and immigrate as a skilled worker, following these steps:

• Find a job in Germany by getting accepted by a German employer
• File an application for the Germany Working (employment) Visa,
• Immigrate to Germany and get a working residence permit.

As long as your working residence permit allows you, it’s possible for you to work in Germany. You could either apply for an extension of the permit or apply for permanent residence if your employer is willing to continue the working relationship with you.

Immigrating for education

• Get a visa to study in Germany so that you can complete a university degree.
• There’s a limited time for which you can stay in Germany and seek employment in Germany. If you found a job within that period, you can continue your stay by obtaining a work visa.

Immigrating for entrepreneurship

• You must be able to invest at least €250,000 to be eligible to immigrate as an entrepreneur.
• You must prove that:
  • You have the required funds to make an investment
  • Your investment is going to benefit the economy of Germany
  • Your investment is in demand in Germany
• After 3 years of holding a residence permit, you can apply for extensions and maintain your entrepreneur status in Germany.

Immigration for permanent residence

A residence permit issued under this category could be temporary or permanent. Here are the visa options:

• Standard visa permit, which is granted to all visa types.
• EU Blue Card for Germany is issued to non-EU/EEA nationals with high qualifications and who are willing to work in Germany. EU Blue Card holders can stay in Germany for up to 4 years. They can opt to convert their residence permit to a permanent settlement permit. In order to qualify for the EU Blue Card, the following criteria have to be met:
  • You will need a job offer in Germany.

The minimum annual salary for the job must be €56,800.