Germany is a European state that annually provides a large number of residence permits and permanent residence. Here are some of the highest immigration quotas for the admission of new citizens. Particularly favorable conditions have been developing recently. A large number of foreigners seek to obtain a long-term residence permit or become a German citizen , and the country itself feels an acute shortage of qualified personnel.
You can exercise the right to German citizenship by living in the country on a permanent basis for 8 years. The only exceptions are the statuses of education and entrepreneurship. Understanding the grounds for obtaining different statuses of long stay makes it possible to choose the most optimal path of the immigration process for moving to Germany.
Residence permit in Germany
The basis for the official obtaining of a residence permit in Germany may be:
- moving on an ethnic basis (Jews and ethnic Germans);
- close relationship (children and parents);
- family restoration (family ties and marriage);
- study or work;
- business immigration.
Citizens who have moved on ethnic grounds are granted permanent resident status immediately and they have the right to apply for citizenship in Germany .
All issues of obtaining a residence permit in Germany are regulated by the “Law on residence”. This status gives permission to stay in the country for more than three months, while the period limited by the visa is 90 days. Therefore, if you plan to stay in Germany for more than 3 months, you need to take care of replacing your visa with a residence permit.
Depending on the motives for obtaining a residence permit, some restrictions on the rights and obligations of foreign citizens in Germany may be introduced. So, for example, the working time for students is no more than 16 hours a week, or the right to employment does not apply to family members of a foreigner who came on a work visa.
A residence permit is the initial stage of paperwork for those who wish to become a German citizen. It is issued for a period of 3-12 months, depending on the purpose of arrival, and is periodically renewed at the local immigration offices. This is possible if the conditions on the basis of which it was received earlier are preserved. The person who received it cannot be absent from the country for more than 90 days a year. To leave for a longer period, a permit is required, otherwise the residence permit in Germany may be canceled.
Permanent residence in Germany
Granting permanent residence in Germany is a permanent residence status that gives foreign citizens the right to employment and social guarantees without any restrictions. Such an immigrant becomes a full-fledged member of German society, has all the rights and obligations except for the right to vote and the opportunity to work in a public position.
Before obtaining permanent residence, you must first obtain the status of temporary residence and obtain a residence permit in Germany . A permanent residence permit in the country can have 2 options:
- residence permit in Germany;
- EU permanent residence permit.
To obtain this status, you need to live in the country for at least five years. Some reduction in waiting times is provided for Blue Card holders. In this case, the waiting time is reduced to 33 months, and if the language exam is successfully passed, to 21 months. For entrepreneurs who have a successful business with high financial performance, this period is 36 months.
Ethnic Germans who were forced to live in other countries and have not lost their national characteristics: knowledge of language, culture, history, have the primary right to obtain permanent residence and citizenship in Germany . The procedure for obtaining permanent residence has also been simplified for citizens of Jewish nationality.
To become a German citizen and exercise the right to permanent residence, you need to know the German language at a good level, have a stable income that meets the needs of the whole family and real estate that meets the requirements of the law. In the case of false information, wrongful acquisition of status or commission of a crime, the status of a permanent resident of Germany is canceled.
