Moving to Germany

Suzette
New Member



Joined: 05 Aug 2004
Posts: 4
Location: Koeln, Germany

Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 10:14 am

 

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Ryan,

One of the easiest ways to stay longer than the 3 months standard visitor allowed time is to go to school or university. It is what I did. I registered at a language school to learn German and as long as it is more than 20 hours a week you will get a visa to stay in Germany for the length of the course. However, you should be aware that you are only allowed to learn German for a maximum of 18 months. You can also apply to University and choose a course where German is not necessary and when you have a student visa which is different from the visa to learn German you are allowed to work for about 10 hours a week. (I am not certain about this.)
The cheapest school to learn German is the Volkshochschule which is a community centre type of school or Adult Education centre. The courses are often good if you have a good teacher.
If you take this route then you have the permission to stay and can look for work. Look for English/American companies in your city often they want to employee native speakers.
You have to inform the potential employer that you are not allowed to work and if they really need you they will then apply for your work permission.
You should be prepared for a lot of paper work and bureaucracy.
Also if you as a Canadian you can switch your visa from a student visa to a resident visa without leaving the country. The only catch is that in order to stay you have to work. You also have to renew your resident visa for the first year and after every two years. The work permit has to be renewed every year.
This is what I did and I have found work. I am now 4 years in Germany and after 5 years I will have a sort of permanent residence where I will no longer be required to re-new my resident visa. I am looking forward to that.
If you require more help let me know and good luck.

Suzette

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Ryan676
Junior Member



Joined: 22 Apr 2004
Posts: 13

Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 6:22 pm

 

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Suzette thank you very much. I was very close to giving up but this language permit seems quite promising.
I would apply for university but my grades are...lets say...not good.
I only plan to stay around 8-12 months so this would be perfect.

So by getting this visa to learn the language. That gives me residence... and I am allow to apply for work??
Also I plan to apply to college in Ontario for tourism or buisness. Do you think there would be any english speaking college courses like that in saxony?
Anything else you can tell me would be much appreciated.

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Suzette
New Member



Joined: 05 Aug 2004
Posts: 4
Location: Koeln, Germany

Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 11:56 pm

 

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Hi Ryan,

The language permit does not allow you to work. You however have to prove that you are able to live in Germany for the period of your visa ie financially stable. You may show proof by showing your bank details or your parents can say they will be responsible for you or even your girlfriend can say she will be responsible when you are in Germany.

You need to register for the course first and be sure it is one where you have at least 20 hours a week. Then when registered take the confirmation letter you recieve to the embassy with all other required paperwork. Consult the German Embassy to find out what you need. They will give you a visa valid for the length of the course and this can be extended once you are in Germany and each time you register for a new course. The process can take about one month. (I recommend the Volkshochschule for doing language courses, they are the cheapest.)

As for your question about Universities in Saxony. I am not familiar with that area but you can do a search through the internet. Most Universities have an English site as well. It may not provide as much information as the German site but enough so that you know how to apply.

Once more good luck and let me know if I can be of more help.

Suzette

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