How can I migrate to Germany from India in 2020?

Germany is the fifth-largest economy in the world and has numerous job opportunities for expats. With a safe environment and high-quality medical care, many foreigners want to migrate here. In this post, we will decode some of the options available if you want to migrate to Germany from India in 2020.

To migrate to Germany, you will need a valid reason. There are various reasons to move to the country, we will look at some important ones:

1. Migrate for employment
2. Migrate for education
3. Migrate for self- employment

General eligibility requirements:

Irrespective of the reason you want to migrate to Germany, there are certain eligibility requirements that you should meet:

Financial stability:

Based on the purpose of migration, applicants will have to meet certain financial requirements to prove that they can financially support themselves while in Germany. If you are coming to Germany with a job offer, you still need to have the initial funds to meet expenses till you get your first salary.

Health insurance:

It is mandatory to have health insurance coverage before you migrate to the country. It is better to get the policy from a German company if you are planning to migrate here.

Basic proficiency in German:

You will need basic proficiency in German, you will need to give German language test and pass with an A1 or B1 level while a PR visa will need a C1 or C2 level proficiency.

Migrate for employment:

If you are migrating to Germany in order to work in the country, here are the work visa options for you.

Work visa for Indians:

You must apply for a work visa and a residence permit before you enter Germany. You must approach the German embassy or consulate and submit your application. It must include the following documents:

• Job offer letter from the firm in Germany
• Valid passport
• Annexure for an employment permit
• Certificates of academic qualification
• Certificates of work experience
• Approval letter from the Federal Employment Agency

If you intend to bring your family to Germany when you are working there, the following conditions apply:

• Your income must be enough to support you and your family
• You must be able to provide housing for your family
• Your family members must have a basic understanding of the German language
• Your children must be below 18 years

EU Blue card:

You are eligible for the EU blue card if you have a graduate or undergraduate degree from a recognized university and have secured a job with an annual gross salary of 52,000 Euros (as of 2018) in Germany before moving there.

You can get the EU Blue card if you have graduated from a German university or are a highly skilled professional in the field of either mathematics, IT, life sciences or engineering or are a medical professional. Your income must be at a comparable level with German workers.

Jobseeker visa:

This visa was approved as per new immigration laws passed by the German government in May 2019. This visa allows skilled workers from other countries to come to Germany and search for a job. This visa was introduced to solve the problem of skills shortage in several areas.

With this visa, you can stay in Germany for six months and look for a job there. The eligibility requirements for this visa are:

• Have at least 5years of work experience in a field related to your study
• Proof of 15 years of regular education
• English proficiency is mandatory to qualify for this visa, but it is advisable that you learn German as well to live in Germany
• You must have enough funds for a six-month stay in Germany
• You must show your accommodation proof for the six months

Once you have found a job, you can immediately apply for the EU Blue card or the residence permit. After a few years of successfully staying and working in Germany, you can bring in your family members and even apply for permanent residence.

Migrate for education:

If you are planning to move to Germany to study there, you must get your visa before moving to the country. The following documents are required for your student visa:

University admission letter- You will need to have print out of the email from the German university confirming your admission.

University Entrance Qualification – Your educational qualification must be on par with the standards of the German education system to get admission to a university there. Otherwise, you will have to attend a preparatory course and take an exam to qualify.

Proof of financial resources “Finanzierungsnachweis”– Indian students wishing to study in German must have a minimum amount (€10,236) as specified by the German government. The blocked account is the most popular way to prove that you have enough funds to study and live in Germany for one year.

Proof of health insurance coverage

Proof of language proficiency

Once you complete your studies you can stay in Germany for a limited period to search for a job. Once you find a job you can apply for an EU Blue Card.

Migrate for self- employment:

If you are looking for self-employment opportunities in the country, then you need to apply for a residence permit and permission to start your business.  You will need a self-employment visa if you are coming to Germany temporarily and for business purposes.

Before approving your visa, the authorities will check the feasibility of your business idea, review your business plan and your previous experience in the business.

They will check if you have the capital to start your business and if your business has the potential to meet economic or regional needs in Germany. If your business is successful you can get an unlimited extension for your residence permit.

Pathway to permanent residence:

Migration to Germany for work, study or business can be a pathway to permanent residency in the country. You must meet the eligibility requirements to get your PR visa.

There are various ways to migrate to Germany from India in 2020. Choose the option best suited to you and get the process rolling to move to this country.

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