The Immigration Law came into effect on the 1st of January 2005!

You can apply for a working permission if you get a job in Germany. To get an employment contract with a German company will be the prerequisite for the majority of immigrants.

Here we are providing a short view of the possibilities of immigration to all persons intending to work in Germany.

There are 3 regulations:

1. Residence and working permit - §18 AufenthG

The residence and working permit depends on the job situation. Employers will be enabled to recruit foreigners if they do not find Germans for their vacancies - §38 AufenthG Employers will take care of all necessary steps to get the permit.

2. Permanent residence permit for highly qualified persons - §19 AufenthG

Scientists, university lecturers, specialists and leading managers with long professional experience, for example, will have the chance of getting the permanent residence permit immediately, if they do not need official support for integration.

The permanent residence permit is unlimited and includes the permission to work.

Preconditions for getting this unlimited permit can also be: Having stayed and worked for 5 years in Germany, having paid 60 months into the pension insurance fund, no criminal records for the last 3 years, sufficient knowledge of the German language and basic knowledge of the German judicial and social system.

3. Residence permit for self-employed persons - §21 AufenthG

Foreigners intending a self-employed business or starting up a company can obtain a residence permit for 3 years, if there is a high economical interest. An example for that could be an investment of 1 million Euro and the setting-up of 10 new jobs. If the investment is effective you will get the permanent residence permit after 3 years.