If you’re considering working, studying, or living in Germany for more than three months, some recent changes could affect how you prepare. As of June 27, 2025, Germany has clarified and reinforced several key requirements for anyone planning a long-term stay or employment-related move.
For those not holding citizenship from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, a visa must be secured before arriving in Germany if you intend to stay beyond 90 days or work. However, citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK, and the USA can still enter visa-free and apply for their residence permit once in Germany.
If you’re not from one of these select countries, you’ll need to go through the standard visa application process via the German embassy or consulate in your home country before making the move.
Processing times can vary. Applications that involve immigration authorities—particularly those not directly linked to employment—might take up to three months or longer. This is due to the need for input from bodies like the Federal Employment Agency. In contrast, most employment-related visas are faster to process, as they often don’t require such approvals.
Long-stay visa application forms (for national D visas) are free and available in several languages: German, English, French, and Italian. However, each German embassy or consulate may only accept a specific language version of the form, so be sure to check their requirements carefully before submitting your paperwork.
Once you’re in Germany, any decisions about extending your visa or converting it to another type will be handled by the local immigration office—not the Federal Foreign Office. These local offices follow their respective state-level guidelines, so outcomes may vary depending on where you live in Germany.
One added benefit of the national D visa is that it allows visa holders to travel freely throughout the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This makes it easier for long-term visitors to explore other European countries without needing additional paperwork.
A major procedural change is coming on July 1, 2025: Germany will eliminate the visa remonstration process worldwide. Until now, applicants whose visas were denied could file an official appeal to request a second review. After this change, if your application is rejected, you’ll receive reasons for the decision and two main options: take the matter to court or submit a brand-new application with updated documents or justification.
While this streamlines the process, it also emphasizes the importance of getting everything right the first time. Legal recourse remains available, but the informal appeal route will no longer exist.
