Germany requires most non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals to obtain a residence permit for stays exceeding 90 days. The type of permit depends on the purpose of stay, including employment, higher education, research, self-employment, family reunification or humanitarian protection. Short-term visits of up to 90 days within a 180-day period are generally governed by the Schengen visa system. Nationals of certain countries are visa-exempt for short stays but may still require a residence permit before or after arrival depending on their nationality and purpose of residence. Long-term residence permits are generally issued for a fixed duration and may be renewable if the original eligibility requirements continue to be met. Certain residence permits can lead to permanent settlement after meeting statutory residence, language and integration requirements.
Choosing and applying for the correct visa category determines whether a person may legally enter and subsequently work, study, or settle in Germany, and errors at this stage can delay or block a relocation entirely.