Germany is distinguishably the fifth most sought-after country to move to. This distinction is attributed to its excellent economy, education system, and employment opportunities. People from different parts of the world aspire to move to Germany.
In terms of economy, Germany tops the index in the European Union. In EU migration law and policy Germany is a significant player. It receives the highest number of asylum applications in Europe. Over 6 million third country nationals are living in Germany right now. Its policies for immigration are not so rigorously restrictive like many other countries.
There are always significant innovations and changes being made regarding immigration policies in favour of the immigrants to settle in the country without overcoming many obstacles.
This article will share with you some tips, requirements and how to migrate to Germany.
Explore!
Immigration to Germany from India
India has an unknown attachment with Germany. There are so many countries in Europe but Germany has etched an emotional spot on for Indians. For Indians, the first country they would love to identify themselves with outside their own country is Germany.
Germany’s fast-paced economy, technological advancements and innovations, automobile and engineering industries, manufacturing units make it an aspiring destination to settle in.
From a literary and cultural perspective, Germany is truly a wonderful country to live in. Its prosperity, functioning of the state apparatus, engineering, health system, and utopian landscape are some of the major reasons that make the country preferable to Indians.
Many medical aspirants from India come in large numbers to Germany to study medicine. After completing the Bachelors and post-graduation in medical science the skilled professionals prefer to pursue a career in Germany itself.
The engineering sector provides remarkable opportunities to Indian engineers. India produces one of the highest numbers of engineers in the world. There are a great number of job opportunities in the medical and health sectors as well.
India, credited to have the second largest population in the world, has a sizable number of engineers and medical aspirants. A large number of these meritorious people would love to settle in exotic destinations like Germany for better pay and future.
Why Germany is Good for Indian Immigrants
- Sound standards of living.
- Beautiful landscapes and picturesque scenes
- Good jobs for good qualification.
- Lifestyle.
- More Public holidays.
- Family benefits.
- Better opportunities for entrepreneurs.
If you find these aspects quite attractive, then you are all set to push yourself to live in Germany.
Germany is not for Germans alone. Germany is for all!
Indians earnestly behold Germany as their second home.
Why should you settle in Germany?
Germany immigration 2022 is always spot on!
As discussed earlier, Germany has a great engineering hub for engineers, a sound health system for medical aspirants and other professions as well.
The Government pays special attention to healthcare and education. A large chunk of the GDP is invested in healthcare and education to make it free for the residents.
Migrants get an opportunity to settle in Germany as there is a dearth of skilled workers and other professionals.
German cities are always rated high among the world’s most liveable cities.
Decisions on VISA are taken in the smartest manner and dispensed without much ado in Germany. It allows the citizens so much liberty for movement.
The work-life balance is beautiful in this beautiful country. Work culture is such that one can strike a fine balance between work and family life. One has to devote a limited number of work hours in the workplace (which is not an abnormal figure compared to the practice in many countries like India) for a week. The law is particularly stringent in implementing and reinforcing the law regarding this. This particular aspect makes Germany highly favourable to the professionals and job seekers across the globe.
After the US, Germany is the second most sought after destination for immigrants. Going by statistics from 2017, about 14.8% of the German population is immigrants.
There is a sizable population of business immigrants who pour into Germany for amazing opportunities. This contributes to the significant rise in the population as well.
More than half of the country’s population had a job way back in 2017. Wages and salaries in Germany are quite envious compared to other countries.
There is a record number of more than 4,00,000 migrants setting foot in Germany every year.
People really dream of settling in Germany!
General Requirements to German immigration
In order to migrate to Germany, you have to meet certain requirements.
Here they are:
Financial Stability
You must have some sort of financial stability to prove that you are doing financially well. You must have something to fall back on. An insolvent or impoverished person is a burden on the economy, especially when an immigrant comes with debt. Financially unstable persons are not entertained at all. Before you are into a job, you must have enough cash to fend for yourself.
Have Health Insurance
Get German health insurance first to settle in Germany. Germany may not entertain any other health insurance. Germany is not liberal about potential health threats from other nationals especially in the wake of the global pandemic COVID-19.
Should have fundamental knowledge in German
In Rome do as the Romans do. That is widely known across the globe.
Do not worry! Germans do not believe so. Germans need to be heard and you need to express yourself in Germany. Now you will say that you know it already.
Well, in Germany you need to know and speak German. You may know any other language of importance but in Germany you are supposed to speak what the Germans speak. Among the 3 levels of language proficiency (A1 and A2, B1 and B2, C1 and C2) you have to pass the language proficiency test up to A1 or B1.
If you aspire to settle there permanently you have to prove that you are C1 or C2 proficient in the language.
Germans will hardly speak to you in anything but German.
So, in Germany, write German, speak German and listen to German.
German Visa Rules
Significantly low unemployment rate and job shortage in many fields have put Germany in the list of top destinations for tourism and education. The Federal republic of Germany has strict rules and immigration laws which need to be observed for those who wish to settle here.
While some nationals can have the privilege of entering the territory visa-free, there are other categories and nationals who have to observe set rules and conditions including interviews to obtain a visa to enter Germany.
How long are you going to stay in Germany? That is the first question that pops up.
Next is the purpose of entry.
If you are going for a short stay, say, for tourism, or a business trip, then chances are higher that you can land here visa-free.
The Federal Republic of Germany permits nationals from a list of 62 countries to enter without VISA. That is part of its VISA-waiver program. That is for a short-stay that ranges between 90 days and 6 months. During this period visitors cannot have a job, but can involve themselves in business.
German VISA types
Business Visa
World-known companies, business enterprises and corporations have their branches spread all over the globe. Businessmen from countries that are not enlisted in the VISA waiver program are required to obtain a German Business Visa who wish to come here for the sole purpose of doing business here.
The German Business Visa is usually a short-stay Visa not specified differently by any label. It is used by the businessmen who come here for promoting business, attend meetings and seminars, sign contracts, etc.
The list of required documents for Business visa to Germany are as following:
1. A short-stay visa application form completed with all honest information.
2. Have to declare how accurate the information is.
3. Two identical photographs taken inside 3 months.
4. A valid national passport not older than 10 years.
5. Travel visa insurance
6. Flight itinerary including the entire schedule of business.
7. Proof of accommodation for your stay throughout the Schengen area.
8. Civil status proof that includes marriage certificate, birth certificates of children, etc.
9. Proof of financial status of employment and self-employment.
10. Company bank statement
11. Business references
12. Detailed schedule of business itinerary (applicable for stays over 30 days)
13. Company cover letter with the entire travel plan mentioning your position, service, schedule and purpose of the trip, etc.
14. Certificate of incorporation of the company.
Visas to study in Germany
If you are in pursuit of higher education with sound research infrastructure and placements and shape out a career following it, then Germany is certainly one of the best. The study is mostly based on merit and is not highly expensive.
When you are in pursuit of education, it is certainly not going to be a short-stay. It has to be specified how long the course or your academic program is intended to be.
Apply for the appropriate German Study VISA at the Embassy or German Consulate in your country mentioning your period of stay for the intended program. If it is an academic affair that requires more than 3 months of stay, you need to obtain a Residence Permit as soon as you land in Germany.
Whatever be your period of stay, apply for a student Visa as early as possible. It is highly advisable to keep some time in hand.
Types of German Visa for Study Purposes?
3 types of Visas are there to enable hopeful aspirants pursue their educational dreams in Germany.
They are:
1. Language Course Visa (Visa for Language Learning): For the purpose of German language courses for short duration ranging from 3 months to 1 year.
2. Student Application Visa: This applies to when your study program has not been confirmed by your university. It is when you are looking for the right program.
3. Student Visa: If you are confirmed by the German university.
Interview for Visa
It is when you have an appointment with the consular officer directly.
As a Visa applicant you are required to answer all the questions honestly and carefully during the Visa appointment. It is the final stage when you must produce all the required documents for appraisal.
The processing time to immigrate to Germany for educational purposes usually takes 6-12 weeks from the day of application for a long-stay study Visa. If it is a short-stay Visa things are wrapped up inside 15-30 days.
Job seeker Visa to immigrate to Germany
Well, first things first!
You already have got a fair idea what it needs to immigrate to Germany through this article.
Prepare yourself first with all the necessary documents handy.
Do not rush in the last hour.
Get an application form and book the Visa appointment.
Eligible applicants
Here’s the checklist:
1. A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a German University or an equivalent degree from your land.
2. Minimum 5 years of experience in the related field.
3. Proof of your financial stability as discussed earlier.
4. Ensure to have medical insurance for the period of your stay in Germany until you secure your work permit.
If you already have them, then Bingo!
Documents Checklist:
1. A valid passport
2. Copy of your Passport’s data page
3. 3 passport pictures along with biometric specifications
4. Cover letter stating the purpose of your visit
5. Certificates of previous work experience.
6. Curriculum vitae
7. Residential proof in Germany
8. Proof of your financial stability which includes your bank account statement and others.
9. Your personal civic details like birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.
There’s a catch still left! Having all these documents means you are some steps closer for immigration but it doesn’t indicate that you will definitely get the desired seal from the consular officer. The consular officer will not reject you whimsically either.
The Consulate office can ask you to produce additional documents if required.