German Immigration News

Those wishing to stay in Germany long-term often apply for a permanent residence permit (EU ). This residence permit not only grants...

A 27-year-old police officer in Mannheim was acquitted of the charge of persecuting innocents (Verfolgung Unschuldiger) under the § 344 Criminal Code (StGB). The officer was accused of planting marijuana to manipulate evidence after no narcotics were found on a foreign suspect during a body search. Five bags of cannabis with a total weight of 4.55 grams were placed with the suspect’s other belongings before the officer’s colleagues drew attention to the inconsistency, and th

The Berlin State Office for Immigration is the central point of contact for people who want to enter Germany or stay here permanently. To outsiders, its structure often appears complex , but the organization follows clear principles of responsibility . In practice, your nationality often determines which department is responsible for your case. However, there are exceptions: For certain matters, such as asylum procedures, the EU Blue Card , or specific visa issues, nationalit

Since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have found refuge in Germany. The residence permit under Section 24 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) offers quick and unbureaucratic access to residency, employment, and social security. However, many of my clients are now asking a more fundamental question: How can this temporary protection be converted into permanent residency , in particular a settlement permit ? This quest

The rules for international professionals in Germany are constantly evolving. Anyone applying for a visa or residence permit in 2026 must be aware of new minimum salary requirements . To ensure your application goes smoothly at the immigration office or German embassy or consulate, we've compiled the most important updates for you. The EU Blue Card (EU Blue Card) according to § 18g of the German Residence Act (AufenthG). For university graduates, the Blue Card rema

Anyone wanting to come to Germany to work, study, or undertake vocational training will quickly encounter the question: "Do I need to learn German beforehand?" The answer is: It depends! Depending on the visa you are applying for, different requirements apply according to the Residence Act (AufenthG). Here is a concise guide to help you determine the language level you need for your goal. 1. Visas without legally required German language skills For some Visa cards, there is

Anyone who wishes to remain in Germany long-term as a third-country national (i.e., non-EU citizen) and obtain a permanent residence...

Germany is facing renewed criticism from the European Union after reintroducing and extending temporary border controls at internal EU and Schengen borders, which is considered to be unconventional within the passport-free Schengen Area. Magnus Brunner, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, has appealed to the German government to cease these border control checks. If you’re an expat or visa holder who frequently travels within Europe, you’ll need to be aware of how these bo

For many people in Germany, the State Office for Immigration (LEA) is a central point of contact: be it for issuing temporary residence permits , extending residence permits, or handling ongoing naturalization procedures . However, it quickly becomes apparent that contacting the LEA is anything but easy . Anyone hoping for quick information over the phone is often disappointed. The phones are rarely answered, most of the time you only reach a recorded message, letters go unan

The EU Blue Card is a gateway to the German labor market for many highly qualified professionals. However, applicants must meet one...

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 simply sig

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