Visa for self-employment
Starting your own business or working as a freelancer is a dream for many people. If you would like to do this in Germany but do not yet live here, you will need a visa or a residence permit for self-employment.
What do I need to know?
I want to set up a business. What requirements do I need to fulfill for the visa?
If you want to set up a business, you need a visa or residence permit for the purpose of self-employment in accordance with Section 21 (1) of the Residence Act. In order to obtain this visa/residence permit, you must meet the following requirements:
- You can prove that there is an economic interest or regional need for your business idea.
- Your business idea will have a positive impact on the German economy.
- The financing of your business idea is secured.
- If you are over 45 years old, you must also prove that you have sufficient pension provision.
I want to work as a freelancer. What requirements do I have to meet for the visa?
If you want to become self-employed as a freelancer, you need a visa/residence permit to work as a freelancer in accordance with Section 21 (5) of the Residence Act. In order to obtain this visa/residence permit, you must meet the following requirements:
- The financing of your business idea is secured.
- You have a professional license for the profession you wish to pursue. You can find out more about this in our chapter"Recognition of foreign professional qualifications".
- If you are over 45 years old, you must also prove that you have sufficient pension provision.
Where do I apply for a visa?
If you need a visa to enter Germany, you must first apply for a visa at the German embassy/consulate in your home country or a neighboring country and present the above-mentioned documents there.
Please note that it may take several months to process your visa application.
If you do not need a visa to enter Germany, please report to the immigration office at your new place of residence after entering the country and present the required documents there.
Whether you need a visa depends on your country of origin. At auswaertiges-amt.de. you will find a list of countries whose citizens need a visa to enter Germany.
What documents do I need to apply for a visa?
In our chapter"National visa" you will find a list of all the documents you generally need for a national visa.
Which additional documents you need for a visa for self-employment depends very much on your specific case. Check with the German embassy and the foreigners authority in the place in Germany where you want to become self-employed.
What happens after entry?
After entering the country, you must register with the foreigners authority at your new place of residence within three months and apply for a residence permit there. To do this, you must submit the above-mentioned documents and, as a rule, a police registration and a tenancy agreement. The authorities will check your documents and then decide whether you will be granted a residence permit.
A residence permit for self-employment is usually granted for up to three years. If your business idea is successful and you earn enough money to support yourself and your family in Germany, your residence permit can be extended.
Where can I get further information?
You can obtain further information from the German embassy in your home country or the foreigners authority in the place where you wish to become self-employed.
Important
You can find out more about starting a business in our chapters"Starting a business as a tradesperson" and"Starting a business as a freelancer".
Source: handbookgermany.de
