Visas and Residence | SAXONY WORKS

If you are from a country that requires a visa to enter Germany, you must apply for one at a German diplomatic mission abroad before your arrival.

The visa allows you to enter Germany. It is generally valid only for a limited period of time.

After entering the country, you will need a residence permit for a longer stay. This permit allows you to live in Germany for a specific purpose—for example, to work, pursue vocational training, or study.

There are various types of residence permits, such as:

Residence Permit – for a temporary stay, such as for work (Section 7)
EU Blue Card – for highly qualified professionals with a university degree and a specific minimum salary (Section 18g)
Settlement Permit – for an indefinite stay in Germany (Section 9)
Permit for Long-Term Residence – EU – for permanent residence with additional rights within the EU (Section 9a)

Frequently Asked Questions About Visas

Citizens of the following countries (privileged third countries) do not need a visa to enter Germany: Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the UK, and the U.S.

For all other countries, a visa is generally required, unless special regulations apply. You can find out which countries are included on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.

If you want to work in Germany, you must apply for a residence permit. Even if you are allowed to enter without a visa, this is only possible for a maximum of 90 days. Within this time, you must apply for a residence permit for your work at the local Foreigners’ Registration Office.

You must apply for a visa to enter Saxony at the appropriate diplomatic mission in your home country. To continue staying in Saxony, you must submit an application for a residence permit to the local Foreigners’ Registration Office well in advance of the expiration of your visa or the 90-day stay. You can find your local Foreigners’ Registration Office on Amt24.

The electronic residence permit (eAT) is issued as a chip card. It contains personal data, biometric features, and the conditions of the residence permit. This allows it to be used for various online services and functions, such as submitting applications to government agencies.

The type of visa you need depends on how long you’ll be staying and the purpose of your visit. You may only stay for as long and for the purpose permitted by your visa.

Use the Visa Navigator on the Auslandsportal website to quickly and easily find the right visa for your entry into and stay in Saxony.

Before you apply for a visa, please check whether you meet the following important requirements:

You must be able to support yourself financially.
You must provide proof of your identity and nationality.
There must be no grounds for your deportation.
You must have a valid passport.

If you are a citizen of one of the following countries, you may enter Germany without a visa using a valid passport or other valid identification document:

Countries of the European Union (EU)
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway (these countries are part of the European Economic Area, EEA)
Switzerland (bilateral agreement)

If you are from a non-EU country, you need a Schengen visa for tourist travel or short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. You are not permitted to work in Germany with this visa. After entering Germany on a Schengen visa, you generally cannot apply for a residence permit to work without first having applied for a regular visa.

To obtain a Schengen visa, you must meet the following requirements:

You must be able to clearly explain the purpose of your trip to Germany.
You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds for your stay and travel, for example through your own income or a letter of financial support from another person.
You must confirm your intention to leave the Schengen Area before your visa expires.
You need valid health insurance covering all Schengen countries and the entire duration of your stay. The insurance must cover at least 30,000 euros in costs.

Please also refer to the website of the Federal Foreign Office for more information.

You should apply for the visa at the diplomatic mission of the Federal Republic of Germany (embassies and consulates general) with jurisdiction over the area where you reside. You can use the Federal Foreign Office’s Consulate Finder to locate the appropriate diplomatic mission.