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Questions people ask, with sources
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Editorial content. These answers are AI-assisted editorial guidance. Each links to the official page it points to, but the answers themselves have not had a separate human fact-check. They are general guidance, not legal advice, and they are not posts from members.
Visas and eligibility
Which route fits, what is required, and where the rule is written.
Which passport decides my paperwork: the one I hold or the country I live in?
The passport you hold decides which visa rules apply. Where you live can decide which German mission handles your application, so check both on the official mission page.
Where do I check which work and study routes exist?
The federal government's Make it in Germany portal has one overview page of the visa types, grouped into work, study and training, and recognition, with the official requirements for each. Use it to confirm anything you read here.
Recognition and licensing
Having a foreign qualification assessed for a German profession.
Do I need my qualification recognised before I apply?
It depends on whether your profession is regulated in Germany. Use the official recognition finder to see whether yours is and which body decides.
Source: Your path to recognition (BIBB)
Jobs and employers
Finding work and checking offers.
Where can I look for jobs from abroad?
The Federal Employment Agency runs the official job board and information for people applying from abroad.
Source: Finding a job: foreign workers (Bundesagentur für Arbeit)
How do I check whether an agent is genuine?
Use our agent check for warning signs, and never pay for a job offer before you have confirmed the employer through an official channel.
Source: Agent check on this site
Study and scholarships
Admission, funding and student rules.
Where are the student visa requirements published?
The federal government's Make it in Germany portal has a page for the student visa that sets out the requirements, including proof of funds. The German mission in your country decides your application, so confirm its checklist before you submit.
Arriving and settling in
Registration, insurance, housing and daily life after landing.
What should I do first after I arrive?
Our arrival guide lists the first official steps in order. Confirm local details with your city's official service page.
Source: After you arrive in Germany
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