German Immigration News

2025 saw further significant changes in expat law (employment law for foreigners) . What was considered standard practice yesterday regarding vacation pay or how communication with unions was regulated is now subject to entirely new considerations. As 2025 draws to a close, it leaves behind a trail of groundbreaking decisions that have fundamentally altered the relationship between employers and employees. Those who don't pay close attention now risk costly repercussi

The uncertainty surrounding the loss of German citizenship continues to preoccupy many people of Turkish origin . Headlines like " 48,000 people of Turkish descent lose their German passport? " from 2005 are still fresh in people's minds. The reason: Many people had reacquired their Turkish citizenship without knowing that this automatically led to the loss of German citizenship – unless they had applied for a retention permit. To this day, many wonder whether they them

The EU long-term residence permit (Section 9a of the Residence Act) offers third-country nationals in Germany the opportunity to acquire...

Anyone working in Germany as a highly qualified professional with an EU Blue Card will at some point face the question: How does the...

Imagine yourself standing in the arrivals hall of a European hub after a long flight, your clients' or family's passports at the ready – but the familiar routine is gone. A simple wave through, a fleeting glance from the border official is no longer enough. Instead, you look into a camera, your fingerprints are digitized, and in the background, a high-performance system in Brussels compares your data in milliseconds. What sounds like science fiction has been a harsh reality

Imagine your new specialist from abroad has just received their visa , the apartment search was successful, and their first day of work is just around the corner. Everything seems perfectly prepared. But while you focus on onboarding, a new legal requirement lurks in German immigration law that could catch many companies off guard. Anyone recruiting third-country nationals from January 1, 2026, onwards must fulfill a specific information obligation that goes beyond simp

The year 2025 was particularly dynamic for VISAGUARD and the entire migration landscape in Germany . Numerous new developments, political decisions, and legal debates shaped the field. On a professional level, the focus was primarily on the abolition of so-called "turbo naturalization" (including corresponding "last-minute cases") and the heated discussions surrounding the "Work and Stay Agency" (WSA) . These debates illustrate how sensitive and complex the issue of nat

Many international graduates who have studied in Germany consistently use the so-called graduate visa under Section 20 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) to its fullest extent . The 18 months after graduation are valuable for gaining professional experience, writing applications, and establishing themselves in the German job market. However, precisely after this period expires, a serious residency issue often arises if no job has been found. The typical situatio

We are increasingly receiving inquiries from US citizens who, in light of the political developments in the United States, are considering moving to Germany . Queer individuals and members of minority groups, in particular, are asking whether they can apply for asylum in Germany . This question is understandable – however, the legal answer is not straightforward. The right to asylum is not a political safety valve. German and European asylum law is not an instrument to

According to the Berlin Administrative Court , the granting of a residence permit for study purposes under Section 16b Paragraph 1 Sentence 1 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) depends crucially on the requirement that residence in Germany is essential for the success of the studies . In its judgment of November 28, 2025 (Case No. 11 K 175/25) , the Berlin Administrative Court reiterated that this requirement is not automatically met simply because examinations ca

More and more Americans are discovering Germany as an attractive place for their retirement . The reasons are obvious: high quality...

Until the Residence Act came into force in 2005, German immigration law regularly referred to the term " residence permit ." This...

Some legal norms are applied less frequently in migration law than others. This applies, for example, to Article 21 TFEU . This norm is...

For many people with foreign nationality living and working in Germany, long-term residency prospects are of great importance. Two...

Foreigners who do not have a passport or who are unable to present one for reasons beyond their control often face a problem in...

The rising demand for naturalization is causing strain nationwide, but the problem is particularly evident in Potsdam . Anyone applying for naturalization here currently needs an extraordinary amount of patience. According to consistent reports from legal practice, naturalization procedures in Potsdam often take two to three years , and not infrequently even longer. This applies even to fully prepared and well-documented applications. Many cases remain stalled for mont

Many countries specifically advertise so-called Golden Visa programs : those who invest can stay. Germany does not officially have such...

Right to border control for states International law recognizes the freedom to leave and return to one's home country - but not a right...

Naturalization procedures in Germany can often drag on for months or even years . This is well known and has been criticized in...

The Make it in Germany portal has published a new practical guide specifically aimed at employers , explaining the Opportunity Card...