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German Immigration News
Our VISAGUARD blog on immigration law in Germany: All important immigration news from the areas of law, politics, and society.
VISAGUARD.Berlin sponsors the Mechabellum Cup – and brings eSport to Germany
Gaming knows no boundaries. But anyone who wants to relocate to Germany as a professional gamer or content creator quickly encounters very real limitations: visa applications, residence permits, bureaucratic hurdles. This is precisely where VISAGUARD.Berlin comes in – and that's exactly why we're sponsoring the VISAGUARD.Berlin Mechabellum Cup, which will take place on twitch.tv on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026 . Law meets gaming As a law firm specializing in immigration law, we s
VISAGUARD Sekretariat
Jul 312 min read
U-turn: Blanket ban on admissions to integration courses ended
For weeks, uncertainty reigned among all those who wanted to voluntarily register for an integration course: The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) had rejected almost all applications for voluntary participation since February 2026. Now, a reversal is taking place. From August 1, 2026, the federal government will reopen the integration courses – at least for certain, newly prioritized groups of people. For international For skilled workers , their families an
Isabelle Manoli
Jul 304 min read
Relocation and visa: The “6-month rule” – a practical problem for mobile applicants
Those who travel frequently, work internationally , or often relocate their primary residence repeatedly encounter a hurdle in the German visa application process : the so-called "six-month rule ." In practice, as lawyers, we regularly see German embassies and consulates rejecting applications on the grounds that the applicant has not yet resided in the respective country for six months and therefore does not fall under their jurisdiction . For those affected, this is not onl
Mirko Vorreuter, LL.B.
Jul 303 min read
Practical tip: Legal pitfalls when drafting exclusion clauses in employment contracts
The modern world of work, characterized by global mobility, international recruiting, and cross-border assignments, thrives on dynamism, excellence, and mutual trust. Highly qualified foreign specialists , academic high-achievers, expats, and young professionals enrich German companies and fill critical gaps in the labor market. However, lurking behind this global exchange is a bureaucratic and legal reality that poses significant financial risks, even for experienced HR depa
Gastautor
Jul 294 min read
IW and KOFA publish recommendation report on the Work and Stay Agency
The recruitment of highly qualified professionals from third countries such as the USA , Great Britain , or Canada rarely fails in German practice due to a lack of interest from applicants or a lack of willingness on the part of companies. It fails primarily due to bureaucratic inefficiencies, cumbersome administrative procedures, and a deep fragmentation of responsibilities across multiple levels. The current system urgently requires fundamental reform, as demonstrated by th
Mirko Vorreuter, LL.B.
Jul 294 min read
How is the 90/180-day rule calculated?
Anyone wanting to travel to Germany and the Schengen Area without an EU passport or long-term visa will inevitably encounter it: the infamous 90/180-day rule . What sounds like a simple calculation at first glance causes even seasoned globetrotters to break out in a cold sweat in practice. The secret behind the rule is that there is no fixed start or cut-off date. It's a rolling system . Imagine a mobile 180-day timeframe that automatically moves with you every day of your st
Gastautor
Jul 283 min read
Can you be fired while on vacation?
The suitcases are packed, the visa for the long-awaited trip home or to the south has been granted, and the hard-earned period of rest begins. For many highly qualified professionals who contribute significantly to Germany's economic success, vacation is the only time of year to truly unwind. But while they recharge on the beach or with family, a simple letter dropped into their mailbox in Germany can turn their entire life upside down. In times of an acute shortage of sk
Mirko Vorreuter, LL.B.
Jul 274 min read
Reform: These are the upcoming changes to labor law
Germany is facing a profound turning point in its labor market. The federal government has launched a comprehensive reform package intended to fundamentally change daily operations in companies and the legal framework for employees. For international academics , expats, and young professionals from the USA , Great Britain , or Canada living in Germany with a visa or EU Blue Card , however, changes in labor law always have a dual relevance: every modification to labor law pote
VISAGUARD Sekretariat
Jul 264 min read
Ruling: Costs of securing living expenses for students do not include tuition fees
Studying in Germany is the perfect entry point for international talents, young professionals, and academics from countries like the USA, Great Britain, or Canada into a promising career in the heart of Europe . However , the path to a residence permit for study purposes under Section 16b of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) is fraught with bureaucratic hurdles in practice. The question of how much wealth is required for the so-called "residence permit" is particularly prob
Isabelle Manoli
Jul 264 min read
Waiving the probationary period for naturalization - is that possible?
The moment is almost here: all the requirements for naturalization seem to be met, the language certificates are in hand, and the naturalization test has been passed. But at this crucial moment, a new professional opportunity arises, or the long-awaited career leap to a new company. What feels like a success triggers sudden uncertainty for many applicants. A new employment contract usually means a new probationary period, and this is precisely where the naturalization a
Mirko Vorreuter, LL.B.
Jul 254 min read
What is the Minimum Health Insurance Contribution in Germany?
It is mandatory to have health insurance coverage when you’re applying for or renewing a visa to live or work in Germany. As a visa applicant, it’s important to know that there is a minimum health insurance contribution that you’ll need to make, even if you have low or no income. Misunderstandings around expat health insurance are one of the most common reasons for visa delays and rejections. Whether you’re an expat changing employers, a new graduate, or considering a family
Gastautor
Jul 243 min read
Section 38a of the Residence Act: Recognition of a long-term residence permit in Germany
Imagine you've invested years of hard work to obtain long-term resident status in Italy, Spain, or another EU member state . With this document in hand, you feel secure – you're mobile, you're European. You move to Germany, find a job, rent an apartment, and build a new life. But after six years, the shock hits: the immigration authorities refuse to extend your residence permit under Section 38a of the German Residence Act . The reason? You haven't been in your original issui
Mirko Vorreuter, LL.B.
Jul 247 min read
For foreigners: What are the consequences of a criminal conviction?
The German legal system is considered thorough, and highly qualified professionals and academics who find themselves in criminal proceedings often invest everything in an excellent defense. They fight for acquittals, dismissals, or at least sentences that won't ruin their careers. But while the final word is spoken in the courtroom and many of those affected breathe a sigh of relief, a far more existential threat is already forming in the background. In the current politi
Mirko Vorreuter, LL.B.
Jul 234 min read
The Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) publishes application guidelines for Articles 20 and 21 TFEU.
The application of Articles 20 and 21 TFEU (so-called return cases) has often been a black box in immigration law. A recent circular from the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) dated June 12, 2026, marks a groundbreaking change in administrative practice. Taking into account the latest landmark rulings of the European Court of Justice (ECJ), the BMI clarifies unequivocally how the residence rights of third-country national parents of EU citizens' children are to be protec
VISAGUARD Sekretariat
Jul 225 min read
10 years of Brexit: What is the balance sheet for migration law?
When the historic Brexit vote took place in June 2016, the promise was grand: immigration was to be drastically reduced, and complete control over the UK's borders was to be regained. Today, exactly ten years after the referendum, in 2026, we face a reality that has turned these promises on their head. The official data from the UK's Migration Observatory shows unequivocally that net immigration to the UK has by no means collapsed since leaving the EU , but at times even reac
Isabelle Manoli
Jul 223 min read
Holger Kolb criticizes the Western Balkans regulation in the FAZ
The debate surrounding German immigration law has taken a dramatic new turn. In a widely discussed guest article in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), migration expert Dr. Holger Kolb compared the established Western Balkans regulation to the diesel engine : once a celebrated, pragmatic innovation, now supposedly an obsolete model that must be replaced by cleaner, more modern technologies. The future CDU/CSU-SPD coalition government is following this line of reasoning
Mirko Vorreuter
Jul 214 min read
Prohibition of gainful employment: Which foreigners in Germany are not allowed to work?
The general rule is: Third-country nationals with a residence permit are permitted to work in Germany – unless legal regulations prohibit this or restrict the activity (see Section 4a of the Residence Act ). The Residence Act follows the principle of " permission subject to a prohibition ." Even if a legal prohibition exists, the immigration authorities can make an exception in individual cases and permit employment. This often requires the approval of the Federal Employ
VISAGUARD Sekretariat
Jul 212 min read
Variable compensation: Why the "discretion" regarding bonuses can be costly for foreign skilled workers
In the current political debate surrounding Germany's modernization, the shortage of skilled workers is a frequent and heated topic. The federal government under Chancellor Merz regularly emphasizes how crucial highly qualified immigrants are for the country's economic stability. However, while political discussions focus on visa acceleration and digitalization, true integration and appreciation often unfold in the details of everyday work life – more precisely, in the em
Gastautor
Jul 204 min read
Deggendorf: Immigration authorities are investigating hundreds of students for forged landlord confirmations
A letter from the immigration office or a summons from the police is an absolute nightmare for international students and young professionals . Events are currently unfolding rapidly at the Deggendorf district office : The authority is investigating hundreds of international students accused of submitting forged landlord confirmations or incorrect rental agreements when applying for their residence permits. Those affected face not only criminal proceedings for forgery or prov
VISAGUARD Sekretariat
Jul 204 min read
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) revelation: LEA's regulation on adhesive tokens instead of plastic cards is a demonstrable legal violation.
A recent disclosure under Section 3 Paragraph 1 of the Berlin Freedom of Information Act (IFG) reveals internal management decisions of the authority that expose a systematic and deliberate violation of the law . What appears on the surface to be a bureaucratic efficiency measure turns out, upon closer inspection, to be an unlawful practice: The Berlin State Office for Immigration (LEA) now routinely issues residence permits for so-called "positive nationals"—that is, highly
Isabelle Manoli
Jul 194 min read
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