Residence

Certain requirements must be met in order to enter and stay in Germany. Different regulations apply depending on the country of origin. You can find out what these are here.

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Skilled Labour Immigration Act

With the revised version of the Skilled Immigration Act, the Federal Government has made the prospects for international skilled workers even easier. In particular, the immigration of skilled workers with vocational training and people with practical professional expertise has been simplified. Existing regulations for skilled workers with a university degree have been continued and in some cases also made easier. The "Make it in Germany" portal, which is operated by the Federal Government, provides an overview of the new regulations.

Would you like to find out more about your prospects in the Ruhr region and what requirements apply to your entry and stay?

Here you will find all the important information on relevant institutions and the various regulations in residence law.

Nationals from EU/EEA Countries

Citizens of a member state of the European Union as well as citizens of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein can enter the country without a visa and do not require a residence permit. No special permit is required for gainful employment. You can prove your right of residence with your passport and your registration certificate.

Nationals from Switzerland

Swiss nationals do not require a residence permit. A valid identity card or passport is sufficient for entry. After entering the country, you must register your place of residence at the local citizens' office. You can apply for a residence permit at the local immigration office. However, this is not necessary. However, family members who wish to assert residence rights must report this to the foreigners authority. Please note that failure to do so constitutes an administrative offence.

Nationals from third countries

If you are not a citizen or national of the European Union (EU) or Iceland, Norway or Liechtenstein, you need a residence permit to stay in Germany. The residence permit also regulates whether and which gainful employment you are authorised to pursue in Germany.

The following residence permits are available:

Residence permit

There are various titles in the Residence Act that regulate the provisions for entry and residence: the residence permit is one of them. The residence permit is limited in time and is issued for a specific purpose such as gainful employment, education and family reunification or for humanitarian, international law or political reasons.

EU Blue Card

Academics who do not come from an EU country have the opportunity to obtain an EU Blue Card as a work and residence permit. You must apply for this at a German diplomatic mission in your country of origin before entering the country. The Blue Card is subject to simplified visa and residence regulations. Further information can be found here.

Settlement permit

The settlement permit is unlimited and includes the right to gainful employment. Certain requirements must be met for a settlement permit, which are set out in the Residence Act. You can find out what these are here.

EU permanent residence permit

With an EU permanent residence permit, you can live, work or study in EU countries under more favourable conditions. It offers you more mobility within and outside the EU. The EU permanent residence permit is comparable to a settlement permit. It is also a permanent residence permit. Further information, including the requirements, can be found here.

Visa

A visa is a residence permit for the purpose of entering the Federal Republic of Germany and for the first period of your stay. You can find further information in our "Visa" section.

Immigration Authorities

In order to obtain your residence permit, you must usually appear in person at the Foreigners' Registration Office or Citizens' Service for Migrants of the city in which you live in the Ruhr region. Here you will find the links to the municipal citizen services of the cities and districts:

Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis

Mülheim an der Ruhr

Oberhausen

Kreis Recklinghausen