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Stay in Germany

Foreigners, with the exception of EU citizens, who wish to come to Germany to live here, for example because they have family here, or because they wish to work or study here, require a residence permit to stay in Germany.
As a rule, a visa must be applied for at the German embassy in the country of origin before entering Germany.
(There are currently positive exceptions for citizens of the following countries:
Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, USA, Republic of Korea)
Entry without a visa is not possible for a longer-term stay. Residence law stipulates that people who enter Germany without a visa in order to live here must leave the country again in order to apply for a visa in their country of origin (exceptions see above and for asylum seekers).

  • Basic information

    A visa

    • to reunite with family members "family reunification" - also for family reunification with Germans
    • for employment (incl. training) or
    • for study

    must be applied for at the German Embassy in the country of origin before entering Germany. Further information can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office (see "Further information").

    Exceptions only apply to citizens of the following countries:
    Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, USA, Republic of Korea

    The BAMF is responsible for asylum seekers / asylum applications (see "Further information").

    If you have arrived in Bremen as a refugee, please register in person immediately after your arrival at the:

    Central Reception Center for Asylum Seekers and Refugees in the State of Bremen (ZASt), Lindenstraße 110, 28755 Bremen.

    If you have come to Germany with a 90-day visa or without a required visa and are in an emergency situation and therefore currently unable to leave Germany, the consulate or embassy of your home country is the right contact for you. If you assume that this emergency situation will mean that you will have to stay in Bremen for a longer period of time, you must also register with the Migration Office. To do this, please send an e-mail and request an appointment, stating the reasons: mailto:abt3hum@migrationsamt.bremen.de

  • Procedure
    • Apply for a visa to enter Germany: ("Federal Foreign Office": see under "Further information")
    • Register as an asylum seeker / apply for asylum:
      Central Reception Center for Asylum Seekers and Refugees in the State of Bremen (ZASt), Lindenstraße 110, 28755 Bremen
    • Contact in emergency situations: Consulate or embassy of your home country
    • Notification under residence law in emergency situations that justify long-term residence in Bremen without the required visa. Application by e-mail to the Migration Office:
      maito:abt3hum@migrationsamt.bremen.de

  • Competent Department

  • Fees / Costs

    Information on the visa procedure can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office: http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de under the heading Entry and stay / Visa requirements.

  • More Information

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The official information in German is complete and correct. 05.11.2025

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