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On this page, you will find all VISAGUARD glossary entries related to the letter M. The glossary entries are arranged alphabetically and include the most important terms in immigration law that begin with the letter M. Each glossary definition is linked to the relevant law or administrative regulation and also refers to the corresponding VISAGUARD technical article.
Make it in Germany
Make-it-in-germany.de is an online information platform established by the German Federal Government. The site provides reliable information on many topics related to skilled immigration and employment in Germany.
Related legal source: make-it-in-germany.de
Related VISAGUARD article: Authorities & Public Resources Migration
Shortage occupation
A shortage occupation (also known as a shortage occupation) refers to an occupation in which there is a shortage of skilled workers. The term is not legally defined, but is used in various labor migration contexts. STEM subjects (especially IT specialists) are generally shortage occupations, which is why simplified migration into these areas is possible.
Related legal source: among others Section 18g Paragraph 1 Sentence 2 Residence Act
Related VISAGUARD article: including EU Blue Card
mass dismissal
A mass layoff is the simultaneous termination of many employees by an employer. A mass layoff must be properly reported through a mass layoff notice.
Related legal source: Section 17 KSchG
Related VISAGUARD article: Protection against dismissal for foreigners
Mass Influx Directive (Directive 2001/55/EC)
The Mass Influx Directive (EU Directive 2001/55/EC) is a European directive that ensures the granting of temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons. The directive first gained practical significance in the wake of the Ukraine conflict and the subsequent reception of large parts of the Ukrainian population into the EU, and specifically into Germany (see Section 24 of the Residence Act ).
Related legal source: Article 1 et seq. of EU Directive 2001/55/EC
Related VISAGUARD article: Migration from Ukraine
Material limitation period
If an employee wishes to assert that a dismissal is socially unjustified or legally invalid for other reasons, they must file a lawsuit with the labor court within three weeks of receiving the written notice of termination, seeking a declaration that the employment relationship has not been terminated by the termination ( Section 4 of the Employment Protection Act ). If the legal invalidity of a dismissal is not asserted in a timely manner (Section 4, Sentence 1, Sections 5 and 6), the dismissal is deemed to be legally valid from the outset. This is called the substantive limitation period.
Related legal source: Section 7 KSchG
Related VISAGUARD article: Protection against dismissal for foreigners
Medical Visa
A medical visa is a D-type visa issued for the purpose of medical treatment in Germany. Hospitals in Berlin, in particular, are increasingly recruiting patients from abroad (e.g., from Saudi Arabia), who then enter Germany with the medical visa.
Related legal basis: Section 7 para. 1 sentence 3 Residence Act
Related VISAGUARD article: Applying for a medical visa for Germany
Dual nationality
Dual citizenship exists when a person holds the citizenship of two or more countries. Until the reform of the Nationality Act, dual citizenship was only possible in exceptional cases. However, as of June 27, 2024, dual citizenship no longer constitutes an obstacle to naturalization (see the German Nationality Act (StARModG) ).
Related legal source: Section 12c StAG (old version)
Related VISAGUARD article: Requirements for naturalization
Championship title
The master craftsman title is a mark of quality for managers in the skilled trades. Permission to use the master craftsman title can be obtained by passing the master craftsman examination. The master craftsman examination determines whether the candidate is competent to practice a licensed trade with mastery, independently manage it, and properly train apprentices.
Related legal source: Section 45 para. 2 HwO
Related VISAGUARD article: Guide to applying for a student visa
Registration certificate
Upon request, the registration authority will issue the person concerned a written or electronic registration certificate. The registration certificate contains the following information: surname, first name (including the common first name), doctoral degree, date of birth, and current addresses, categorized by primary and secondary residence. To issue the registration certificate, the person required to register must provide their surname, first name, date of birth, and the address of their current primary or sole residence.
Related legal source: § 18 BMG
Related VISAGUARD article: Living space for residence permit holders
Reporting obligation
The registration obligation is a legal obligation to register the move into a new apartment with the responsible registration authority within two weeks (see Section 17 BMG ).
Related legal source: § 17 BMG
Related VISAGUARD article: Living space for residence permit holders
migration
Migration generally refers to the permanent or temporary relocation of the center of life of individuals or groups from one place to another. The term is primarily used in connection with the cross-border movement of people, but can also occur within a country.
Related legal source: Residence Act (AufenthG)
Related VISAGUARD article: Other VISAGUARD topics
Migration package
The Migration Package was a bundle of several legislative proposals by the Merkel government in 2019 that reformed labor migration and asylum law (including the Skilled Immigration Act). A further migration package (Migration Package I) was passed by the Scholz government in 2022. Among other things, Migration Package I introduced the right of opportunity for residence (see Section 104c of the Residence Act ).
Related legal source: Skilled Immigration Act 2019
Related VISAGUARD article: Laws on immigration law
Migration Pact
The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration is a result of the UN intergovernmental conference held in Marrakesh, Morocco, on December 10 and 11, 2018. The compact aims to strengthen cooperation in the field of international migration and to make the conditions for migration more humane.
Related legal source: Intergovernmental Conference for the Adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, Marrakesh (Morocco), 10 and 11 December 2018 (UN General Assembly
Related VISAGUARD article: Laws in immigration law
Minimum Wage Act (MiLoG)
In Germany, every employee is entitled to receive remuneration from their employer that is at least equal to the minimum wage. This is regulated by the Minimum Wage Act.
Related legal source: §§ 1 ff. MiLoG
Related VISAGUARD article: Expat Law
STEM
MINT is a collective term for the fields of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology. There are various degree programs and a wide range of careers in this field. Employees qualified in MINT subjects can obtain a residence permit in Germany under simplified conditions.
Related legal source: among others Section 18g Residence Act
Related VISAGUARD article: including EU Blue Card
Head of Mission (WCDP)
"Head of Mission" in the Vienna Convention
on diplomatic relations, the person designated by the sending State to act in that capacity.
Related legal source: Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR)
Related VISAGUARD article: Diplomats and international organizations
Members of the Consular Mission (WCMC)
In the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, "members of the consular post" means consular officers, members of the administrative or technical staff and members of the service staff.
Related legal source: Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR)
Related VISAGUARD article: Diplomats and international organizations
Members of the Mission (VCDR)
In the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, "members of the mission" means the head of mission and the members of the mission's staff.
Related legal source: Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR)
Related VISAGUARD article: Diplomats and international organizations
Members of the diplomatic staff (VCDR)
In the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, "members of the diplomatic staff" means the members of the mission's staff who are of diplomatic rank.
Related legal source: Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR)
Related VISAGUARD article: Diplomats and international organizations
Members of the consular staff (VCS)
In the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, "members of the consular staff" means consular officers other than the head of the consular post, members of the administrative or technical staff and members of the service domestic staff.
Related legal source: Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR)
Related VISAGUARD article: Diplomats and international organizations
Mission staff members (VCDR)
In the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, "members of the mission's staff" means the members of the diplomatic staff, the administrative and technical staff and the domestic staff of the mission.
Related legal source: Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR)
Related VISAGUARD article: Diplomats and international organizations
Notification obligation (employer)
Employers are obliged to notify the immigration authorities if they dismiss a foreigner who holds a residence permit for the purpose of pursuing gainful employment.
Related legal source: Section 4a paragraph 5 sentence 3 no. 3 Residence Act
Related VISAGUARD article: Section 4a Residence Act
Obligations to cooperate (foreigners)
Foreigners are obligated to immediately assert their interests and circumstances favorable to them, unless they are obvious or known, by stating verifiable circumstances, and to submit the necessary proof of their personal circumstances, other required certificates, and permits to the immigration authorities . Foreigners who hold a residence permit for gainful employment must also notify the competent immigration authorities within two weeks of learning that the training or employment for which the residence permit was issued has been prematurely terminated (see Section 82 (6) of the Residence Act ).
Related legal source: Section 82 para. 1 sentence 1 Residence Act
Related VISAGUARD article: Cooperation obligations for foreigners
Mobile ICT card
A Mobile ICT Card is a residence permit for the purpose of an intra-company transfer if the foreign national holds a residence permit issued by another Member State under Directive (EU) 2014/66 that is valid for the duration of the application process. A foreign national will be issued a Mobile ICT Card if they will be working as a manager, specialist, or trainee, the intra-company transfer lasts more than 90 days, and they present an employment contract valid for the duration of the transfer and, if necessary, a letter of secondment.
Related legal source: Section 19b Residence Act
Related VISAGUARD article: Apply for an ICT card
Mobility (short-term)
Short-term mobility refers to the possibility for holders of certain residence permits to stay in Germany for a short period of time (usually up to 90 days) (see, for example, Short-term mobility for holders of an EU Blue Card (Section 18h of the Residence Act ) and Short-term mobility for researchers ( Section 18e of the Residence Act )).
Related legal source: § 18h AufenthG , § 18e AufenthG
Related VISAGUARD article: EU Blue Card , ICT Card
Mobility (Long-term)
Long-term mobility refers to the possibility for holders of certain residence permits to stay in Germany for a longer period of time (usually more than 90 days) (see, for example, Long-term mobility for holders of an EU Blue Card ( Section 18i of the Residence Act ).
Related legal source: § 18h AufenthG , § 18e AufenthG
Related VISAGUARD article: EU Blue Card , ICT Card