Please Help: Here is my Story

[Shanj86]

ok, I have a few suggestions. You may not like them, but I have some personal experience in these things (good and bad) so I can offer my advice. I went to Germany on an exchange for a year and met my German boyfriend and decided to stay. Actually, I had to return to Canada, get a visa,and come back. Yes, you can enter germany for 3 months without a visa. However, I wouldn't suggest it. With no german skills, and no pre-arranged contract, you will NOT find a job in time and will be forced to return to canada, where you will have to wait some time before being allowed to come back (i think 3 months, maybe longer). As was already mentioned above, because you are under 35, I would suggest getting a YMA visa. Its good for a year and there are a few different categories to get it. One of them is simply like a 'cultural' one, which allows you to be here for a year, and take any job for whatever amount of money you want. but you can't renew it. At least not under the same category, and not within 5 months of ur first one expiring. Whats important is it gives u a year to get settled, find a job, and GET GERMAN SKILLS. for a job, you'll need them. You cant even work at McDonalds without some german skills. Another option would be to enrole in a language course at a language school, and as long as its every day (its normally like every day from 9-12 or so) you can get a student visa that way, and then you can work in an irish pub or something on the side. But it's not easy getting a job here. The unemployment is VERY high right now, and if you try to get a contract that will get you a visa it takes MONTHS of waiting, you have to prove language skills, and that a german cant do it, etc.etc.etc. I would HIGHLY suggest the YMA visa. its easy to get, and you can have it in 10 days, and its free. You can come over without worries, you have a year to learn german and try and find a job. having said that, I know many people that even after a year couldnt find a job. I myself am right now an english teacher (I have a degree and certification to teach) but I simply never get paid. Times are tough for Germany right now...

I would suggest marriage, but thats actually even harder. the easiest ways are YMA or student visa. You cant get a work visa without a contract, and you cant get a contract without the visa. and normal work visas take on average 3 months to process. My YMA was there in 8 days.