Residence permit in Germany in 2021: how to obtain, documents, extension

Germany: a view from the outside

The German economy is the most powerful on the European continent and ranks third in the world after the American and Chinese. Each German has 57.5 thousand dollars of GDP per capita. No more than 1.2% of the population, which is 85.5 million people in Germany, lives below the poverty line. Of these, 44 million Germans are classified as able-bodied. Germany has the lowest unemployment in the world at 0.1%. We can assume that it does not exist at all. In Germany, the minimum wage is not determined based on the results of the month, it is hourly. In 2021, the minimum wage at the federal level is set at 8.84 euros per hour. Therefore, an employee who works full-time for a month can receive 1,555 euros at the end of the month.

The average salary is not established at the federal level. It depends on many factors: the region of Germany, the size of the company and industry, as well as the qualifications of the employee. It is believed that the approximate average income of a working German after paying all contributions to the federal treasury is about 2,750 euros per month.

The average pension in Germany is also not established. Typically, Germans who have worked all their lives can count on 1,600–2,300 euros in monthly state pension benefits at the end of their working career. In addition, pensioners in Germany have many benefits: they can ride public transport for free, pay (depending on the size of the pension) no more than half the cost of utilities, have official discounts on renting housing (if there is a difference in price, it is covered at the expense of the state). Pensioners can visit most museums, exhibitions, and cultural events for free.

The average work experience for men in Germany is about 40 years, for women it is 10 years less.

Germany is probably experiencing the consequences of the migration crisis in Europe most acutely. After all, the majority of forced migrants from depressed regions of the world, who in recent years have found themselves on the European continent, fleeing wars, famine, or simply in search of a better life, intended to move to German soil.

For Russians and residents of post-Soviet countries, Germany has always been a kind of magnet that attracted the most highly qualified and energetic. Today, the Russian-speaking diaspora in Germany is considered the most powerful such entity within the borders of the European Union. The exact number of Russians living in Germany is currently unknown. There are various estimates according to which the number of Russian speakers living in Germany is approximately 4 million people. A significant part of them are ethnic Germans who previously lived in the Russian Volga region and other regions of the Russian Federation.

Germany has a peculiar attitude towards immigrants from the CIS countries. The Germans consider everyone who previously lived on the territory of the Soviet Union to be Russian. These are Ukrainians, Belarusians, and even Kazakhstanis. Of course, this attitude manifests itself primarily at the everyday level.

On the streets of Berlin or any other large city in Germany, Russian speech will not become a rarity. The largest number of representatives of the Russian diaspora are in Berlin, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, and Stuttgart. The German region of Baden-Württemberg is an area of compact residence of Russian-speaking immigrants.

Belin is home to many Russian-speaking immigrants

Temporary residence permit in Germany for scientists and researchers

As an academic researcher, you can obtain a temporary residence permit for a research program if you have an invitation from the “host” research institute. The duration of the residence permit depends on the duration of the research project, up to a maximum of three years. You have the right to engage in research and teaching activities in a research institution, as well as work as a teacher or freelancer.

An admission agreement or contract with a research institution must be added to the application. The monthly net salary must be at least 2,000 euros.

Once your research activity is completed, you will be able to extend your residence permit for another nine months in order to find a job based on your qualifications.

Pros and cons of immigration

Most immigrants view their move to Germany positively. Of course, this country will not be hospitable for everyone. Here you have to work hard, follow the laws of German society, and be law-abiding. Russian immigrants see primarily the following advantages when moving to the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland):

German resident status opens up all the opportunities available to a resident of a country that is a full member of the European Union. This includes the possibility of unhindered border crossing, obtaining visas to many countries on preferential terms, and much more;
being a resident of Germany, you can officially get a job in this country, as well as in any other country that is part of the EU;
German residence gives the right to interact with European financial institutions in terms of lending, including mortgage lending;
obtaining immigration status makes it possible to move on to the next stages of the immigration process, getting closer to obtaining a German passport;
an immigrant with resident status has the right to social support from the German state;
Immigration status in Germany is the right to long-term and legal residence in a country with life at the level of the highest world standards, in a country where there is a clear order in everything, laws are enforced, and the Germans themselves are polite, punctual and honest;
Germany, despite its economic power and many industrial enterprises, is considered an environmentally friendly country.

Immigrants legally residing on German territory are entitled to many social benefits. In general, the social protection system in Germany is well thought out and very effective. In particular, immigrants have the opportunity to receive free medical care in public medical institutions; if necessary, they can receive a discount on utility bills and rent, and their children have the opportunity to attend preschool educational institutions and receive secondary education free of charge. For foreign students, higher education in Germany can also be practically free if they show good results in their studies. There is a system of effective support for them in the form of various scholarships and grants.

But not all immigrants from the CIS countries will find life in Germany comfortable. Many will face certain obstacles of an economic or even mental nature. In particular, the disadvantages of immigration to Germany for citizens of post-Soviet countries can be considered:

the high cost of living in Germany, the cost of food, housing, public transport here is slightly higher than the European average;
The Germans have a clear order in everything. They do not accept its violation, so the attitude towards immigrants who do not comply with the rules of German society is extremely negative;
in Germany there are many forced migrants from African and Middle Eastern countries, so in some cities of the country the crime rate has increased significantly in recent years;
When applying for a job, a German employer will definitely ask for documents about the education received, which must be pre-nostrified. All diplomas from universities and colleges from any CIS country are not accepted in Germany. In addition, only highly qualified specialists can find a comfortable and highly paid job in Germany;
Immigration to Germany is associated with many bureaucratic slingshots, it does not seem to be a simple task. Therefore, potential immigrants should be patient and persistent in their aspirations;
Germany's climate is humid and cool; not all people from the CIS countries will like it;
German society is very specific. Germans are reserved, love a solitary lifestyle, sometimes they are overly tolerant, sometimes overly self-confident.

Video: Amazing facts about Germany

https://youtube.com/watch?v=A8BGL-oRcco

EU Blue Card

Since May 2009, highly skilled workers with a university degree from outside the EU can be granted a residence permit called the EU Blue Card. The permit is available to those who come to work in Germany and have a German or foreign higher education (or at least five years of professional work experience). The profession must be classified as “highly qualified”, German language proficiency at level A2 and above, and earnings must meet the minimum threshold of 53,600 euros per year.

For those in a highly in-demand profession (such as mathematics, information technology, science, technology or medicine), the minimum earnings threshold is reduced to €41,808. Whether your profession is considered “in demand” is decided by the federal employment agency.

The EU Blue Card is valid for a maximum of four years, but is longer than the duration of the employment contract plus three months. After 33 months, EU Blue Card holders can be issued a permanent residence permit, provided they have maintained their job, have basic knowledge of the German language and have contributed to the mandatory pension system for the entire period of their stay in the country. The waiting period for permanent residence is reduced to 21 months if knowledge of the German language is at level B1.

If the spouse of an EU Blue Card holder wishes to move with them, they do not need a German language certificate to obtain a temporary residence permit.

Types of residence permits in Germany

In Germany, immigration law provides for two types of residence permits:

temporary;
constant.

A temporary residence permit means that the immigrant has the right to long-term temporary residence on German territory. This is the initial immigration status that most immigrants moving to Germany receive.

A permanent residence permit is already the second immigration status, granting a foreigner the right to permanent residence in Germany. Holders of permanent residence permits have practically the same rights as German citizens. There are certain restrictions for them, which are associated with the inability to occupy leadership positions in the country’s government apparatus, hold command posts in law enforcement agencies, work in special services, and also take part in the electoral process. Otherwise, permanent residents of Germany have the same rights as native Germans. Many immigrants prefer to live in Germany with a permanent residence permit. This status is indefinite, and the document itself, which is an immigrant’s identity card, must be periodically renewed once a decade. Permanent residence is a preliminary step to the transition to obtaining citizenship of the republic.

This is what a residence permit card in Germany looks like

Registration procedure

The main difference between the process of obtaining a residence permit for CIS representatives and that which EU citizens undergo is that the former cannot obtain a residence permit after arriving in Germany, without sufficient grounds. For example, entering with a tourist visa stamp. The only exceptions can be cases related to the search for political asylum.

In other words, in order to qualify for a temporary residence permit, our compatriots must justify the reason that forces them to stay on German territory for more than 90 days, which is the reason for issuing a residence permit. Based on the documents provided, the candidate is given a visa stamp of the appropriate type in his passport, the presence of which will allow him to apply for a permanent residence permit while in Germany.

Preparing documents

The first stage is preparing the necessary papers. These include:

A document confirming the basis for entry. For example, when concluding a marriage, you need to attach a marriage certificate, employees – an employment contract, and so on.
Application completed in German.
3 photographs.
A foreign passport with sufficient validity.
Passport of the country of citizenship.
Certificate of successful completion of the language proficiency exam.
Papers that can prove financial security.
.
A certificate stating that the candidate has no criminal record.

Additionally you may need:

rental agreement or proof of ownership of real estate;
evidence of relationship with German citizens;
bank statements on the status of accounts, if financial guarantees seem insufficient to consulate officials.

Where to contact

The next question about the procedure for obtaining a residence permit in Germany for Russians concerns the authorities with whom you will have to interact. Upon arrival in the country of destination, you should contact the regional registration office - Einwohnermeldeamt. Here your data will be entered into a special register of migrants’ places of residence.

The authority to obtain a residence permit is vested in the migration service – Ausländeramt. This is where you should apply with a package of documents, which for the most part should be prepared at the stage of applying for a visa.

Please note that the procedure for obtaining a residence permit of a new format with an electronic chip may take some time. During this period, while the card has not yet been issued, you can obtain a fiktionsbescheinigung - a fictitious residence permit.

Who is entitled to a residence permit and is it difficult for Russians, Ukrainians or Belarusians to obtain it?

A citizen of any CIS republic can obtain a residence permit in Germany if he is legally in this country and has sufficient grounds to request immigration status. A residence permit will be required for those who have specific reasons for living in Germany for more than three months.

As the first step of immigrating to Germany, you must obtain a visa, on the basis of which you can subsequently cross the German border and obtain a residence permit. But to obtain such a visa, grounds are required, for example, a work contract or an invitation from German relatives. A visa can be obtained from the German diplomatic mission in your country or by contacting a specialized visa center. In the latter case, you must first find out whether this authority can issue a visa of the requested category, and also inquire about the region of its consular jurisdiction.

Applications and documents for any immigration status, as well as for citizenship, are submitted to the Federal Administrative Office of the Federal Republic of Germany - Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA).

The standard immigration scheme to Germany assumes that with a temporary residence permit you must live in this country for at least five years before receiving a permanent residence permit. An immigrant must have a permanent residence permit (PR) for at least three years before applying for German citizenship. During the last year before submitting the application, you can leave Germany for a maximum of one month in total.

All issues related to immigration in Germany are regulated by the “Law on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreigners on Federal Territory.”

The question of whether it is difficult for Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians to obtain a residence permit in Germany is definitely not easy to answer. German laws do not give priority to any specific category of immigrants, with the exception of citizens of European Union countries, who can undergo the immigration process in Germany on preferential terms and under an expedited procedure. There is no special attitude towards Russians, Ukrainians or Belarusians in Germany. But the German authorities carry out special monitoring of a certain category of applicants who may subsequently apply for German citizenship. For example, we are talking about participants in mixed marriages who marry German citizens, as well as ethnic Germans applying for participation in the repatriation program. Special conditions are also provided for persons of Jewish nationality, for whom (regardless of their current citizenship) special preferential immigration rules apply in Germany.

If immigrants from the CIS countries buy real estate in Germany, then this factor alone cannot become the only basis for them to obtain a residence permit . Rather, real estate ownership will become a contributing factor that will help in obtaining immigration status. In any case, owning a property in Germany will have a positive impact in the future when moving to the next immigration stage.

Video: how to move to Germany

What can serve as a basis for obtaining a residence permit

The conditions for obtaining a residence permit in Germany are clearly defined by German law:

Completing a training course. Entry is carried out on the basis of a student visa.
Business immigration or employment. If there is an employment contract, the candidate receives a residence permit for 1 to 3 years. The extension of this document is not limited. Entrepreneurs who intend to open their own business do not have to pass a language proficiency exam. The main thing is to prove that the purpose of the residence permit request exactly corresponds to the intentions. A temporary residence permit in Germany for financially independent persons can be replaced with a permanent one after 3 years, and not after 5, like for all other foreigners.
Blue card. This type of migration is similar to the previous one, but applies only to high-class specialists: doctors, programmers, scientists. It is understood that they all have a higher education diploma, work with German employers on the basis of a contract and receive a salary of 3 thousand euros per month. A Blue Card is issued for a period of 4 years, after which you can apply for a permanent residence permit.
Emigration of Jews. A temporary residence permit for 3 years can be obtained by a person who was previously a citizen of the USSR and at least one of whose ancestors is of Jewish origin.
Having German roots. In this case, ethnic Germans can legalize their status according to a simplified scheme, obtaining permanent residence after only 3 years of residence in the country.
Family reunion and marriage. Both cases do not require a high level of German language skills or a job. To use the grounds for marriage, it is necessary to prove that the German spouse has a sufficient level of income. At the same time, he himself may also not yet have citizenship, but only be the holder of a residence permit. But in order to emigrate for the purpose of reuniting with your relatives, you need to provide confirmation that they are close in a direct descending or ascending line.
Refugee. The most difficult migration route, given the refugee situation in Europe as a whole. Obtaining status requires collecting a large package of papers and having evidence that persecution in the applicant’s homeland actually takes place.

Please note that a residence permit cannot be obtained through the purchase of real estate in Germany. But the fact of its presence significantly increases the chances of obtaining a residence permit.

List of documents required to obtain a residence permit

You will need to prepare a basic package of documents with which you can apply to the immigration department. It includes:

original and photocopy of foreign passport;
4 photos;
health insurance;
certificate of no criminal record;
a certificate confirming a satisfactory state of health. This document can only be issued in a public medical institution in Germany or from a private doctor with appropriate accreditation;
certificate that the applicant has registered his place of residence. If you own German real estate, you will need an extract from the state real estate register of the country. If the living space is rented, then a corresponding contract lasting at least 12 months will be required;
evidence of financial security. Labor migrants can limit themselves to a copy of the labor contract, as well as students - a contract with a higher education institution;
if the move is carried out with a family, then birth certificates of children will also be required;
document on marital status;
documentary evidence of the basis for requesting a residence permit;
receipts confirming that all administrative fees have been paid.

In some cases, immigration officials may additionally request some additional information or documentation. When obtaining a residence permit, the documentation must be translated into German, and the translations must be entrusted with an apostille.

Immigration for minors has its own characteristics, since it is inextricably linked with the immigration to Germany of their parents. Moving and requesting a residence permit with only one parent requires that the other parent must provide his written and notarized consent for his child to receive immigration status in Germany. The inability to obtain such a document can create many problems when obtaining a residence permit not only for the child, but also for his present parent. Therefore, in such cases, it will be necessary to confirm the objectivity of the reason with relevant documents, for example, a death certificate or court decisions recognizing the incompetence of the second parent.

There are special requirements for photography

What documents are needed

The required documents when applying for a residence permit will vary in each specific case, it all depends on the method and basis for obtaining this type of document.

Main list:

Application for a visa (prepared according to the form provided by the Consulate, completed in German);
Confirmation of the basis for entry into the territory of the state (this may be a signed employment contract with the employer, constituent documents of the company, certificate of enrollment in a university, certificate of wealth, etc.);
Valid passport and photocopy of completed pages;
Russian passport and photocopies of completed pages;
3 photographs, with a shooting period not exceeding six months;
Medical insurance from Russia for the first two weeks of stay in Germany;
Confirmation of knowledge of the German language (if necessary);
Statements of their bank accounts confirming the immigrant’s wealth (if necessary);
Certificate of no criminal record.

Grounds for obtaining a residence permit and their features

The success of immigration to Germany largely depends on how correctly the most appropriate immigration program is selected. There are many ways to move, so we will carefully consider each of them in order to understand which one is most suitable for an immigrant.

The life of the Germans is strictly subject to the law and rules, and this is not done under pressure, but voluntarily, absorbed with mother’s milk. For example, if a German witnesses a traffic offense, be it an illegally parked car or speeding, he will certainly report it to the police. The neighbors will do the same if they hear a loud scandal behind the wall. And they will do this not out of harm, but solely out of good intentions - in order to prevent possible violence.
Tatiana Olshanskaya
https://www.obozrevatel.com/travel/news/90258-ispoved-emigranta-kak-zhivetsya-ukrainke-v-germanii.htm

Immigration of financially independent persons

In Germany, you can become an immigrant if you have a sufficient level of income outside of Germany. For this category of immigrants there is no opportunity to engage in any activity on German territory that involves making a profit. A financially independent immigrant must document that he or she has an outside, regular, and sufficient source of income. An adult immigrant will need an income of at least 2,500 euros per month. This could be income from shares or other securities, from rental real estate, income from business, and so on. Minors immigrating with their parents will only need 30% of this amount. For dependent family members, for example the spouse of the main applicant-FNL, 50% of the specified amount will be required. In total, a family of three, in which one is a minor, must confirm that it has an income outside Germany of at least 4,600 euros per month. Financially independent persons receive a residence permit for a period of one year, and then they can repeatedly extend it for the same period.

A family of three will need at least 4,600 euros of monthly income

Residence permit for the purpose of employment

Since most immigrants view Germany as a point of application for their professional efforts with effective payment, labor immigration to Germany is the most popular of all methods.

Foreigners legally working in Germany are entitled to a residence permit. For people from the republics of the post-Soviet space, the search for a suitable job will be complicated by the presence of serious competition from the local population, as well as representatives of labor emigration from other European powers. The German employer is limited in his actions, since the unified European labor legislation instructs him to consider German citizens, as well as fellow citizens of the European Union, as priority candidates for employment. This requirement forces him to contact the local employment service and advertise the vacancy in the media. Only if a suitable candidate is not found within a two-month period does the employment service give permission to conclude a contract with a specialist from a third country. The third state in this case will be any of the CIS countries.

You can find a job in Germany remotely or in person by arriving in this country with a Schengen visa (or even without a visa - for Ukrainians who are holders of biometric passports) and concluding an agreement with one of the German employers. A potential labor migrant who has an employment contract and an invitation from an employer must apply for a work visa at the German diplomatic mission in his country. The employer of a migrant worker who has already arrived in Germany must contribute as much as possible to the process of obtaining a residence permit for his foreign employee, as well as reimburse all costs associated with this procedure.

A residence permit for foreign labor migrants from third countries is usually issued for only a year. The status can then be extended, but this will require compelling reasons. In this case, the basis will be an extended employment agreement or a new work contract. During the first year in Germany, a migrant worker must not change jobs. But already from the second year, changing jobs becomes possible.

Video: work in Germany and how to find it

My friend Alexander left to work in Germany two years ago. He is a chef by profession with extensive work experience, and his trip to Germany is not his first attempt at labor migration. Alexander’s track record includes African countries, Vietnam, and Poland. Having arrived home, my friend shared his impressions of labor immigration to Germany. As it turns out, getting a work visa to Germany is very difficult. The main obstacle is precisely the requirement that, as a matter of priority, vacancies should be filled by German citizens and citizens of other EU countries. Therefore, even if a German employer wants for some reason to conclude a contract with an employee, for example, from Russia or Ukraine, it is officially very difficult for him to do this. But enterprising residents of the post-Soviet space found a way out and legally circumvented this provision of the law. A potential labor migrant enters into an agreement with, for example, a Polish or Slovak company and supposedly comes to this country to work. In turn, this company enters into a contract with a German company to provide certain services or perform work. And so a Russian or Ukrainian, who is nominally an employee of a Polish company, legally travels to Germany and works there as a seconded employee. Naturally, he receives a German salary. As a rule, such services are provided by the most cunning Poles (Slovaks, Bulgarians) or immigrants from the CIS countries, who similarly organize a bridge for labor migrants-compatriots from more economically developed countries of the European Union than Poland, Bulgaria or Slovakia. This method of moving to Germany for work is completely legal. The cost of such services ranges from one and a half to three thousand euros. A long business trip requires obtaining a residence permit in Germany.

Holders of the EU Blue Card can obtain a residence permit for a period of two years at once. In the future, they can extend it for the same period.

Getting an education

Education in Germany makes it possible to obtain a European diploma, which does not require further confirmation. In addition, an important factor is the high efficiency of the educational process in German higher education institutions. Students admitted to German universities receive invitations to study and sign contracts with the administrations of their educational institutions. On the basis of these documents, student visas are issued, with which students of German universities and institutes move to this country and obtain a residence permit. Immigration status for students is valid for 12 months. It will be extended upon transition to each of the senior years of study if there is a relationship from the administration of the educational institution. Only those students who have transferred to master's studies or those who are receiving postgraduate education will be able to become permanent residents of Germany. Doctoral students are considered by the German authorities as potential employees of German companies, so obtaining permanent residence is not a problem for them at all. In most cases, this is also true for graduate students.

The period of study at the German alma mater is counted towards the foreign student when calculating the residency requirement in full. Foreign students can be supported financially by the German state if they show a high degree of academic achievement. In this case, they are provided with partial or full compensation of the cost of training by providing grants or scholarships. Students are allowed to officially work part-time not only during the holidays (maximum 40 hours during the week), but also during the educational process (20 hours). Many Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian students use this opportunity to supplement their modest student budget.

Immigration status for students is valid for 12 months

Marriage in Germany

If you marry a German citizen, you will need to provide the appropriate certificate to the immigration authority. The document must comply with German law. Marriage outside Germany or the European Union requires legalization of the document.

The foreign spouse receives a residence permit for a period of two years. Next, you should proceed to obtaining permanent residence. After four years of living in Germany in an official marriage, you can proceed to the stage of requesting German citizenship.

It must be said that mixed marriages are the object of close attention by the country's immigration authorities. Every year, German immigration police detect more than fifty fictitious marriages.

The employment of Russians in Germany is hampered, first of all, by German legislation, according to which, when hiring, Germans and EU citizens, other things being equal, always have an advantage over citizens of other states. The criterion for dividing into Germans and “non-Germans” is not nationality, but citizenship. A Turk with a German passport has a much higher chance of getting a good job than a Russian with a Russian passport. Things are really bad for those who can’t find a job for a long time. A person who does not work for a long time and receives benefits becomes marginal in Germany. His chances of finding a job in the future are extremely slim.
RUSlavian
https://forum-ukraina.net/threads/zhizn-ehmigrantov-v-germanii-dermo.10728/

Residence permit and family ties

Moving to Germany under the family reunification program is a fairly current method of immigration. As already mentioned, a significant number of immigrants from the CIS countries live in Germany.

If they have permanent resident status or German citizenship, they can invite their foreign relatives to join them. The main requirements in this case are put forward to the inviting party, which must have sufficient living space and be able to financially support those moving during the initial period of their stay in Germany.

Foreign relatives receive a residence permit for an immediate period of two years and can subsequently extend it for a similar period. Additional documents will require confirmation of close family ties between inviters and invitees.

Video: ways to immigrate to Germany

Residence permit for pensioners

Germany has a special immigration program designed for people of retirement age. The main condition in this case is sufficient financial support for the applicant. German laws provide that pensioners enjoy many benefits in this country. They are also available to immigrants. To obtain immigration status in Germany, you must provide a pension certificate and a certificate indicating the amount of pension paid in the home country to a potential immigrant pensioner. Considering the average pension in Germany, few pensioners from the CIS countries can provide a sufficient level of financial security for immigration to this country through the pension they pay. Therefore, the pensioner will need to provide additional evidence of financial solvency. This could be a certificate from the bank confirming the presence of a large deposit, profits from renting out expensive housing, dividends from shares, and so on. All income must be earned outside of Germany. A pension residence permit does not provide for the possibility of working in Germany. The minimum income of a foreign pensioner should be 1,500 euros per month. If a family of two pensioners immigrates, then this figure is multiplied by two.

Germany has a special immigration program designed for people of retirement age

Business immigration

Registering a business activity is one of the most accessible ways to move to Germany. Since 2012, German legislation has eliminated the requirement for representatives of foreign business circles to create at least 10 jobs. But not all entrepreneurs are issued a residence permit.

Initially, it is necessary to obtain approval of the business project from the federal Ministry of Economics and Development. After this, you should work with representatives of local authorities and find out the need of a certain region for this business, convince the authorities that its development will bring a positive effect not only at the local level, but also for the state as a whole. It is advisable for a foreign businessman to have sufficient business experience and specialized education.

Investors who are ready to place funds from 1 million euros in Germany can also count on receiving a residence permit and further stages of naturalization. In this case, preliminary approval of the application will also be required, as well as confirmation of the legal origin of the invested capital.

Both categories of foreigners described above receive a residence permit for a period of two years and can repeatedly renew it for the same period. If an investor is ready to invest more than 5 or even 10 million euros in the German economy, then special conditions for naturalization are provided for him. In this case, you can contact the German authorities with a request for permanent residence, and in special cases even for citizenship.

Living in a German family, communicating mostly with Germans, I observe our compatriots. I had never imagined that so many Russians lived in Germany. Russian speech can be heard in absolutely all regions. And once I arrived in Berlin, I completely forgot that this was the German capital. Russian speech absolutely predominated. In shops, museums, on the streets and in cafes, even in the Berlin zoo, it seemed there were only Russian families with children. I was proud of “our people” - they are interested in everything, and they are very mobile. Of course, at first it was difficult for Russians to get used to Germany. But they were greatly helped by the fact that they came with whole families (often these families are large). I met a Russian family who had been living in the same town for about 17 years. Huge new house, three cars. By Russian standards, this is simply wealth. True, the house, of course, is on credit. By the way, Germans do not like to take loans, preferring to buy according to their capabilities, but always having money in the bank. Russians, on the contrary, take out loans and first of all - BMW and Mercedes. But this again means that we are different.
Anton
https://meinland.ru/article-452–1-otzyv-o-zhizni-v-germanii.html

Refugees

Refugee status can be granted for five years. Next, the situation is monitored and the authorities make a decision on whether the danger for the forced migrant continues to exist in their homeland. If the answer is yes, then the refugee receives permanent residence. Refugees are allowed temporary residence in Germany for five years. Refugee status does not require extension, but is limited to five years.

Currently, the German authorities have begun to issue refugee status to residents of the CIS countries much more sparingly than in previous years. This is largely due to the migration crisis in Europe.

Most refugees in Germany come from the Middle East and Africa

Let's sum it up

The legalization process in Germany for those who decide to permanently move to the country consists of three stages:

temporary residence permit;
permanent residence;
citizenship.

The process of obtaining a residence permit begins at home - with the preparation of documents for a national visa, which will become the reason for obtaining temporary status. You can legitimize your position only if there are certain grounds, for example, concluding an employment contract with a German company, restoring family ties, or training.

A permanent residence permit can be obtained only after the applicant has lived for a specified number of years with a temporary card and fulfilled all other conditions provided for by local laws.

If you want to simplify the process of obtaining a residence permit as much as possible, the best way out is to turn to professionals for help in obtaining a residence permit in Germany!

Nuances of the procedure

When applying for a residence permit, there is no need to confirm your knowledge of German. This will be required at the next immigration stage.

The officially approved period for obtaining a residence permit must not exceed a month. The right approach to document preparation can even shorten this period.

The costs of obtaining a temporary residence permit for different categories of applicants differ slightly. They will range from 100 to 130 euros. But to this amount it is also necessary to add payment for translations and their certification in the manner prescribed by law, preparation of photographs, etc.

The validity periods of residence permits for various categories of immigrants were described above. You must apply for an extension of your immigration status at least one and a half months before its expiration. The cost of renewal will be 60 euros. The procedure takes place at the same immigration office where the status was initially issued. The basis for requesting a residence permit extension must fully correspond to the reason for its request.

A residence permit may be revoked, but only if its holder has serious problems with German or EU legislation. If the status was obtained on a fictitious basis, then you can also part with it.

If in higher educational institutions of the CIS countries practice takes place at the very end of study, then in Germany - after the first year. As a rule, during the internship process, students begin to look for a future job. This rule allows young professionals not to be left on the street, and employers can take a closer look at the future employee. An adult immigrant falls under a completely different framework. Even diplomas confirmed in accordance with German laws are considered by employers as nothing more than recommendations and are not grounds for hiring. Moreover, this applies to any labor qualification.
Yulia Rys
https://chemodan.com.ua/articles/2008/08/240.html

What you need to know about the loss of a German residence permit

A Russian citizen can not only obtain a residence permit in Germany, but also very easily lose it. The most common reason is a long absence from the country. The relevant regulatory documents provide for the following grounds for deprivation of a residence permit:

departure from Germany, which involves permanent residence in the territory of another state;
absence of the residence permit holder in the country for more than 6 months;
the German authorities making a decision to expel a migrant from Germany or to immediately expel him;
revocation of permission.

The following circumstances may cause the department for foreign citizens to “sound the alarm”:

dismissal from employment;
breaking the apartment rental contract;
sale of furniture and household items;
marks in the passport about crossing the border.

In the latter case, the authorized authority will not know whether you left for a day or forever. The guideline in such a situation is precisely the period of 6 months. If you have not returned after this period of time, then you can officially be considered dropped out.

When the need to leave the country for a longer period is urgent, this must be agreed upon with the migration service. But to obtain permission you will need really serious reasons.

If the residence permit is taken away, the whole process will have to start again. Of course, you can try to prove that the delay outside Germany was forced, but it is better to do this in advance.

Temporary residence permit in Germany for family reunification

If you have family members who want to join you in Germany, they will need to apply for a temporary residence permit for family reunification. Rules vary depending on nationality.

Family members of EU citizens

If a family member has European citizenship, he can come to live with you in Germany without any restrictions or obtaining permits to live, work or study.

If your family member is not an EU citizen, they must apply for a Germany national visa category D and then apply for a residence permit for family reunification. According to EU law, a family has the right to reunification, even if direct relatives are not EU citizens.

Non-EU family members will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the following requirements:

The head of the family must have a residence permit for the spouse to join him.
You must demonstrate that you have enough living space and income to support your entire family. This will be assessed by the German Aliens Office. For example, if you receive Social Security benefits, your application will be denied.
Your spouse must be able to communicate in German at least at a basic level (exceptions are made for highly skilled or self-employed workers with a Blue Card, and for those who cannot expect to learn German due to physical/mental illnesses , disability or extreme personal circumstances).
The permit can be extended as long as the family cohabitation continues.
Children have the right to family reunification if they have not reached the age of majority and are not married. Otherwise, they must apply for a residence permit separately.
If you are an EU Blue Card holder or a permanent residence permit holder, your spouse does not need to demonstrate German language skills.
Holders of a temporary residence permit for family reunification can work without restrictions.

Required package of documents

To obtain a residence permit, a foreign citizen will need a fairly voluminous package of documents , which includes the following documents:

identification document of the immigrant from the country of citizenship;
a passport with sufficient validity;
a document confirming the grounds for entry (for family reunification - a marriage certificate, for work - an employment agreement with a German company);
completed application form;
documentary evidence of the absence of problems with the law in the territory of the country of citizenship;
confirmation of financial solvency (bank account statement, 2-NDFL certificate, etc.);
documents confirming the acquisition of a specialty (diplomas, certificates of advanced training, etc.);
students must provide a contractual agreement with the educational institution and documentary evidence of tuition fees;
for persons opening a business, documentary evidence of the availability of a sufficient amount to invest in the German economy (account statement);
lease agreement for residential premises or documentary evidence of the availability of your own property;
a medical report confirming the applicant’s satisfactory state of health and the absence of diseases that threaten the health of the local population;
a certificate confirming successful completion of the examination test for knowledge of the German language;
three photographs of the established sample.

You may also need documents for children, if available. And also the package of documents may differ from what is the basis for the move.

Reasons for receiving

Obtaining a residence permit in Germany in 2021 is possible if there are such grounds as:

Study at colleges or higher education institutions in the Federal Republic of Germany. Usually, foreign students study for the first 2 years at universities in their home country, and only then come to complete their studies in Germany. To enroll, you must have a high average score, good knowledge of the language, and have the funds to pay for tuition.
Studying under the student exchange program. Usually the exchange is carried out for only a semester.
Taking language courses at colleges or universities. Typically, such foreign residents are issued a residence permit for a period of 1 year.
Participation in a volunteer program. Volunteer work in the Federal Republic of Germany is paid by the state. Volunteer salaries are small, approximately 500 – 700 euros per month.
Participation in the AU PAIR program. The essence of the program: after arriving in Germany, a foreign resident settles with a family where he is provided with a separate room and a monthly allowance. For this, the foreigner helps the family around the house and with the children, and also gets the opportunity to better learn German and make new acquaintances and friends.
Marriage with a German citizen. It is worth noting that to obtain a permanent residence permit, you only need to live in marriage for 3 years, instead of 5 years.
Employment or search for the required vacancy. If a person has already concluded an employment contract, then a residence permit is issued for the entire term of the employment contract, but not more than 3 years. If a foreign resident visits the country to look for a place of employment, he is issued a residence permit for six months.
Possession of a blue card. The Blue Card is a special type of residence permit that can only be obtained by highly qualified foreign specialists. To obtain a blue card, the foreign employee's salary must be at least 49,600 euros per year. Most often, blue cards are issued to doctors, scientists and IT specialists.
Opening or running a business.
Possession of refugee status. In Germany they receive not only a residence permit, but also social housing, as well as cash benefits.

Resettled ethnic Germans are also entitled to obtain a residence permit. If the relatives of a foreign resident have German roots, then he has the right to come to Germany under the repatriation program and obtain citizenship on the basis of belonging to the German people.