Your personal route
Choose a suitable visa or residence permit
German visas are divided into two main groups: short-term Schengen visas for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, and national Type D visas for long-term stays. The correct type depends on the purpose of your visit: tourism, business travel, study, work, job search, family reunification, or relocation…
- I’m already preparing to move
- Visa and documents
- Choose a suitable visa or residence permit
Resources and next steps
Start here
Articles that directly answer the selected question.
Types of German visas: short-term Schengen visas, national D visas, and residence permits Open article National Visa for Germany in 2026: Study, Work, Blue Card, and Job Search Overview of the main national visas for Germany: student, work, Blue Card, and Chancenkarte for job seekers. What to check before applying in 2026. Open article Visas for Freelancers and the Self-Employed in Germany: Requirements and Documents How visas and residence permits work for the self-employed and freelancers in Germany: the differences between “Gewerbe” and “freiberufliche Tätigkeit,” the requirements under Section 21 of the Residence Act (AufenthG), the necessary documents, and the application process. Open article Work Visa for IT Specialists in Germany in 2026 What visa and residence permit options are available to IT professionals in Germany: the Blue Card, the visa for highly qualified professionals, and the visa for experienced workers. Open article Researcher Visa and Residence Permit in Germany under Section 18d AufenthG How a scientist or researcher can move to Germany under Section 18d AufenthG: a contract with a research institution, documents, a residence permit, work, family, and options after the contract ends. Open article Freelancer Visa in Germany: Who It Suits and What Conditions to Check How the German residence permit for freelancers works: the difference from a digital nomad visa, requirements under Section 21 of the Residence Act, documents, finances, clients, and professional permits. Open article Visas and Residence Permits for Freelancers and Entrepreneurs in Germany: Differences, Requirements, and Permanent Residence What are the differences between the Aufenthaltserlaubnis for freelancers and the entrepreneur’s residence permit under §21 AufenthG? What documents are typically required, and under what circumstances is a Niederlassungserlaubnis possible? Open article Freelancer Visa in Germany: Requirements for Freiberufler and Residence Permits How the German residence permit for freelancers works: self-employed professionals, Section 21 of the Residence Act (AufenthG), clients, financial plan, insurance, documents, and how it differs from the digital nomad visa. Open article
What to do step by step
Individual actions and stages to complete.
Freelancer Visa in Germany: Who It’s Suitable For and What Risks to Consider An overview of freelance visas and residence permits for self-employment in Germany: Freiberufler, clients, financial plan, insurance, taxes, and differences from digital nomad visas. Open article How to Choose a Program for Moving to Germany: EU Blue Card, Chancenkarte, University Studies, or Ausbildung Open article BFD in Germany: Volunteering, Visa, and Real Prospects What Bundesfreiwilligendienst is, who BFD is suitable for, what conditions apply in 2026, and why volunteering does not guarantee a later move to Germany. Open article How to Prepare for Moving to Germany: Documents, Housing, Visa, and First Steps A practical checklist for preparing for life in Germany: choosing the legal basis for moving, finding housing with Anmeldung, getting insurance, opening a bank account, receiving a tax ID, and adapting after arrival. Open article Rejection of a German National Visa: What to Do Next What to do after being denied a national D visa to Germany: how to interpret the denial, when you can reapply, what to consider for court proceedings, and how to develop a new strategy. Open article How Foreigners Can Start a Business in Germany: Registration, Visa, and Taxes A step-by-step guide for foreigners who want to start a business in Germany: Freiberufler or Gewerbe, legal forms, residence permit, Gewerbeamt, Finanzamt, ELSTER, taxes, and insurance. Open article Immigration to Germany through Study: Student Visa, Admission, and the Path to a Residence Permit How to move to Germany through higher education: university or Studienkolleg admission, a student visa, proof of funds, work during studies, and post-graduation options. Open article Applying to a German University: How to Plan Your Timeline, Documents, and Visa A step-by-step guide to applying to a German university: deadlines, uni-assist, VPD, Anabin, language exams, student visa, blocked account, and housing. Open article
Important notes
Risks, exceptions, and common mistakes.
Schengen visa for Germany: rules, documents and deadlines in 2026 Who needs a short-stay Schengen C visa to travel to Germany, where to apply, which requirements to check, and why you cannot simply stay and work in Germany on a Schengen visa. Open article Distance Learning in Germany: how Fernstudium works and whether it helps you relocate We explain Fernstudium in Germany: who the remote format suits, what to check before enrolling, why it usually does not replace a student visa, and which alternatives exist for relocating. Open article Mistakes When Moving to Germany: A Preparation Checklist A practical list of common mistakes when moving to Germany: choosing a visa category, documents, finances, housing, language, visa denial, and first steps after arrival. Open article A Visa to Germany After a Denial: Can You Apply Again, and What Should You Fix? Open article Language courses at German universities: who they’re suitable for and how they differ from private schools How do preparatory language courses at German universities work? Who needs an HZB? How do they differ from private schools and integration courses? And what visa requirements should you check before applying? Open article Tuition-Based Education in Germany: When It’s Justified and Which Options to Choose An overview of fee-based education in Germany: private language schools, Studienkolleg, Ausbildung, and private universities. How to evaluate costs, accreditation, visa risks, and prospects. Open article Private Language Schools in Germany: Courses, Visas, and University Admission in 2026 How to choose a private language school in Germany, how university-affiliated courses differ from a standard language visa, and what to check before applying. Open article National Visa for Germany: Common Application Mistakes The mistakes that most often prevent applicants from obtaining a German national Visa D: choosing the visa type, documents, consular appointment, apostille, funding, and motivation letter. Open article
Services and local information
Useful authorities, services, and regional information.
Help with Moving to Germany: How to Choose a Relocation Service How to determine if you need help moving to Germany: visas, documents, education, work, taxes, adjustment, and criteria for choosing a consultant. Open article Germany Immigration Consultation: How to Assess Your Chances of Moving How to use an initial consultation about moving to Germany: what to prepare, which questions to ask, and where visa, residence permit, study, work, and adaptation checks are needed. Open article Consultation on Moving to Germany: When You Really Need an Expert Open article Relocation Help for Germany: When You Need a Consultant and How to Choose Support How to understand whether you need help with moving to Germany: the visa route, documents, studies, work, taxes, citizenship, and adaptation. Open article
What else may help
Articles that provide additional context.
Work Visas and the Blue Card in Germany: Key Differences in 2026 A comparison of a standard work permit and the EU Blue Card in Germany: requirements for education, salary, IT experience, permanent residence, and family reunification. Open article Work Visas for Germany: Options and Requirements in 2026 What work visas and types of residence permits are suitable for employment in Germany: the Blue Card, the visa for highly qualified professionals, the IT pathway, and the Chancenkarte. Open article Fernstudium in Germany: Why Distance Learning Does Not Give You the Right to Relocate A breakdown of Fernstudium in Germany: who distance learning suits, why it usually does not provide a student visa, and which alternatives to choose for relocation. Open article Is it possible to move to Germany without knowing German? What types of visas and scenarios for moving to Germany are possible without German, where A1, B1, or B2 are required, and what to check before submitting your documents. Open article Opportunity Card in Germany: How to Obtain a Chancenkarte in 2026 A practical guide to obtaining a Chancenkarte in Germany: two application routes, the points-based system, required documents, Anabin, ZAB, finances, and working while job hunting. Open article Chancenkarte for Germany: Requirements, Documents and Applying for the Opportunity Card What the Chancenkarte is for finding work in Germany, who can apply, which documents are needed, and how to prove funds, education, language skills, and insurance. Open article Work Visa for Skilled Workers in Germany: Requirements, Documents, and Provisions of the Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG) Open article National Visa D for Germany: Who Needs It and How to Apply in 2026 Open article
