There are several ways that foreign nationals can move to Germany, and they include the following reasons, which will be explained in more detail below:

• German immigration for employment,
• German immigration for education,
• German immigration for entrepreneurs,
• German immigration for family reunions,
• German immigration residence permits

General Requirements for Immigration to Germany

Even though there are many ways to immigrate to Germany, and each has some specific requirements, there are still similarities between them. To be eligible to move to Germany, you must fulfill the following criteria:

Prove Financial Stability

Each immigration purpose has a financial threshold which applicants need to fulfill, but regardless of intent, applicants must prove that they can finance themselves in Germany. Even if you will be working in Germany, you must have the initial funds to cover your expenses until you get your salary.

Have Health Insurance

You will not be able to immigrate to Germany without proper health insurance coverage. The recommended way is to get German health insurance since you cannot be sure whether German authorities will accept foreign health insurance. Find more information about health insurance for Freelancers, Employees and Expatriates in Germany.

Have at Least Basic Proficiency in German

To be able to live in Germany, you will need to know German. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages has three levels of language proficiency, A, B and C. Each one has two parts. Language proficiency is divided into A1/A2 or basic, B1/B2 or proficient in the language, and C1/C2 or advanced language skills. To immigrate to Germany, you will need to enter the exams and pass them up to either A1 or B1. If you want to get a permanent residence, you will need a higher proficiency of C1 or C2 level.

Citizens of these countries are required to apply and get a visa before entering Germany. All other nationals do not need a visa to enter Germany. They may apply for a residence permit after entering Germany without a visa.

Germany Visa types:

• Business Visa
• Visas to Study in Germany
• Job Seeker Visa
• Working (Employment) Visa
• Guest Scientist Visa
• Training/Internship Visa
• Family Reunion Visa to Join a Relative or Partner

For specialised advice on all German visas and professional management of your application, consider working with the legal professionals at the A.O.S Migration Agency. They provide expert advice on all matters relating to German visas, immigration law and German residence permits.

If you are an investor with interest in Germany, then you are in luck. Entrepreneurs and investors who create economic opportunities in Germany are allowed to immigrate there. There is, however, a certain threshold of investment that you need to make. As of the writing of this article, that amount is 250,000 Euros. Additionally, you will need to get a Self Employment Visa, which falls under the category of Germany Working Visa. To get the Visa, you must prove the following:

• That you have the required funds to invest,
• That your investment will benefit the German economy,
• That your investment is demanded in the country.

If you maintain your status as an entrepreneur in Germany, you will also be allowed unlimited extensions of your residence permit after three years. Unlimited extensions of your residence permit mean that you can enter and leave the country whenever you want.

Entrepreneurs from around the world bring their ideas to the lucrative German market. However, it is advisable for entrepreneurs to work with business immigration lawyers who can oversee their applications and business plans.

A.O.S Migration Agency adopt a full-service approach and will not only prepare your application but will also advise you on the business opportunities in Germany, draft your business plan and ensure it fulfils the set requirements and support you in the establishment of your German business.

Germany has reported a shortage of skilled workers and highly qualified people. They are continually looking for engineers, IT professionals, medical workers, and other qualified professionals. In order to encourage such people to emigrate to Germany, foreign immigration authorities have relaxed the stringent requirements to go to Germany and work.

Thus, one of the most popular means of immigration to Germany is finding a job in the country. The steps to moving to Germany for work are the following:

• Find a job in Germany, which accepts foreign nationals,
• Apply for the Germany Working (employment) Visa,
• Move to Germany and get the working residence permit.

Besides this, to get the residence permit for working in Germany, the employer and employee must prove that:

• There was a shortage of employees that are from Germany or the EU, so they could not fill the position,
• That the employee will have the same conditions as any other German employee in terms of salary and working environment,
• That the employee meets all educational and work experience requirements for the job position,
• That the company hiring the employee meets all necessities of the German authorities (registration documents and certification).

As an employee in Germany, you will get the chance to work as long as your residence permit allows it. If your employer wants to continue your working relationship even after your work permit is getting close to expiration, you can apply for an extension or after a certain period; you could also apply for permanent residence.

However, if you are an unskilled worker, it will be much more difficult to immigrate to Germany based on employment.

Many people are not aware of this, but Germany offers free education. Unlike countries like the USA, which have enormous tuition fees, universities in Germany either have very low fees or do not charge anything at all. Because of this, Germany is a popular place to immigrate for education purposes.

To immigrate to Germany for completing a university degree, you must obtain a visa to study in Germany. The article outlines the requirements that you need to meet and the process of applying to get such a visa.

If you get your education visa for Germany and complete your degree, you can remain in Germany to search for a job for a limited time. If you can find a job during that time, you are allowed to stay in Germany. Reports suggest that up to 54% of students who complete a degree in Germany stay and find a job there. 

There are instances when people move to Germany for various reasons but have to leave their family behind in their home countries. All spouses and children under 16 years old can apply for immigration to Germany to join their spouse or parents.

To be eligible for the family reunion immigration, spouses must prove that they are married, and the children must have birth certificates. For children under 16 years old, it is not necessary to have German language skills since they are assumed to be able to learn it quickly. However, for children over 16 years old, there must be sufficient proof of German language proficiency and the ability to adapt and integrate.

As for spouses, they will need to have at least an A1 German proficiency to qualify. If the spouse already in Germany could work, the same would apply to the joining spouse. The visas for spouses are bound by the same conditions.

Should you experience any practical difficulties in your case or should you seek to reduce the risk of your application being rejected then consider working with experts in the field such as those at A.O.S Migration Agency.

When you get one of the visas for immigration, you will also get a residence permit. The residence permits can be temporary and permanent. Temporary residence permits allow foreign nationals to stay in Germany for a specified period and then return to their home countries. Permanent residence permits mean that the foreign national can stay in Germany as long as they want to, can leave and return to the country whenever they want to. However, a permanent residence permit does not mean that you get a German citizen. That is another process entirely. In general, Germany has two temporary residence permits and one permanent.

Standard Residence Permit

This type of residence permit is used for all immigration purposes noted above and for others, such as completing training courses, for former Germans who want to return to Germany and those who go to Germany for political and humanitarian reasons. The standard residence permit is valid for some time and can be extended.

European Union (EU) Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is given to foreign national workers (who are not citizens of EU countries) who have high qualifications and want to work in Germany and apply those skills. High qualifications mean that the person has an undergraduate or graduate degree in any given field. To qualify for the EU Blue Card, you will need to have already found a job in Germany, and the minimum annual salary must be 56,800 Euros.

The EU Blue Card grants its holders the right to stay in Germany for four years, with a possibility of changing their residence permit into a permanent settlement. To qualify for permanent settlement, the person must show enough German proficiency, meet specific financial requirements, and have worked in Germany for more than 33 months in their place of employment which requires the skills gained with the highest qualifications.

Settlement Permit or Permanent Residence Permit

The permanent residence permit in Germany is called the Settlement Permit. The Settlement Permit is given to those who have had either a standard residence permit or an EU Blue Card for at least five years and meet certain language requirements.

The Germany Employment Visa is an opportunity for qualified foreigners to settle in Germany and work in their field. It gives to its holder the chance to enter and work in Germany for up to two years, with the possibility of extending the visa, and later applying for an EU Blue Card, or other types of residence permits

Long-Stay Visa Types for Working in Germany

You may apply for a Germany Long-Stay Visa under the purpose of working in Germany, for the following:

• Employment – if you already have a job offer in Germany.
• Self-Employment – if you wish to establish a business in Germany or to work as a freelancer.
  • Working as a Freelancer
• Jobseeker– if you wish to look for a job while in Germany.
• Working as an Au Pair – for young adults wishing to learn more about the German culture and language.
• Working Holiday Visa – for the youngsters of several countries, that have signed a Working Holiday Visa agreements with Germany.

Categories Eligible to Apply for a Germany Employment Visa

All foreign nationals can apply for a Germany Employment Visa if they fulfill the conditions to work in Germany.

According to the “Act on the Residence” that regulates the residence issue for foreigners in Germany, the categories eligible to apply for a German Employment Visa are as follows:

• Highly qualified foreigners, in particular:
  • researchers with special technical knowledge
  • teaching personnel in prominent positions or scientific personnel in prominent positions
• Intra-corporate transferees, in particular:
  • managers
  • specialists

In addition, eligible and encouraged to apply for a Germany work visa are third-world country nationals with a university degree or a non-academic vocational qualification that fulfill the conditions listed below:

• There is a shortage of skilled workers in the profession you want to practice in Germany.
• You have a concrete job offer.
• Your education must be recognized as equivalent with a German degree.

The step-by-step application process for a Germany Work visa goes as follows:

1. Get a job offer in Germany.
2. Check if you need a visa to Germanyfor long-stays.
3. Find out where you need to submit your visa application.
4. Collect all of the required documents according to the instructions.
5. Make an appointment for a visa interview.
6. Pay the German Employment Work visa fee.
7. Attend the interview.
8. Wait for a response on your visa application.

Required Documents for a Germany Employment Visa

In order to prove to the German embassy/consulate in your country of residence that you fulfill the conditions for an employment visa, you will need to submit several documents. These documents are the crucial part of your application for a German employment visa, alongside with the visa interview.

Make sure you collect all of these documents according to their given instructions.

• Two fully completed application forms. Printed and signed at the end.
• Two passport photographs(see our page on photo requirements for more info as there are strict requirements).
• Valid national passport(more information on passport requirements).
• Proof of residence. Your driver’s license and/or utility bill in your name as proof of residence in the territory of the consulate where you plan to apply.
• Health insurance. Compulsory certificate from German employer, valid from date of employment. If not already included in the compulsory health insurance a separate travel insurancehas to be presented for the time frame from arrival in Germany until beginning of employment. If you are looking for great coverage for a good price, then your working health insurance awaits here!
• An employment contract / binding job offerwith details of gross annual salary and a detailed description of the employment in Germany.
• Approval by the Federal Employment Agency(If applicable).
• Curriculum Vitae. Your updated CV, which indicates your academic qualifications and your job experience.
• Proof of Qualification. Diplomas, Certificates, Mark-sheets etc., or anything similar that proves your qualifications.
• Personalcovering letter explaining the exact purpose and duration of stay.
• Proof of a clean criminal record.
• Proof of paid visa fee. The visa fee for a German long-stay visa is €75.
• Declaration of Accuracy of Information.

Where to Apply for a Germany Work Visa?

You should apply for a German Employment visa at the representative body of Germany in your country of residence responsible for visa admission. This could be one of the following

• The German embassy
• A German consulate
• A Visa Application Center
• The German embassy/consulate located in a neighboring country, in absence of German representative bodies in your country of residence
• The embassy/consulate of another country, located in your country of residence, to which Germany has outsourced visa admission

Processing Time for Germany Work Visa

The processing time for a Germany long-stay work visa may take from one to three months from the application day. The processing time depends also on the number of applications the embassy is receiving at the time, as well as your situation.

After you get your German Work Visa, you can freely travel to Germany. However, there are still some procedures that you should complete upon arrival in Germany in order to obtain a Germany residence permit.

You should go at the Foreigner’s Office in Germany, located nearest to your place of residence. Some of the offices require from you to make an appointment prior to your interview, while others accept walk-in applications.

You will need to attend an interview during which you will also submit the required documents for a residence permit. These documents are:

• Your national valid passport.
• Application form for a Residence Permit.
• Two photos.
• Report of clean criminal record.
• Proof of German Language.
• Health Insurance Confirmation.
• Proof of Job Offer.

The period of time you are allowed to hold your permit is determined by your employment contract. If your contract is for 2 years, your permit will also be valid for 2 years. However, you can extend it as many times as you need as long as you maintain your employment status.

You can check here How to get a German Residence Permit, in order to learn more in this regard.

If you want to work in Germany, but you still do not have a job, we can give you some tips in this regard. There are many vacant jobs in Germany for foreigners. You will not have it hard to find a suitable job for you, especially if you have the professional qualifications.

The process of getting a job in Germany for foreigners goes as follows:

1. Look for a job online

Public German job sites. The international Placement Service (ZAV) of the German Employment Agency has information on world opportunities all across Germany. You can check for a job in their portals, email them or call them for advice. Check their page for more.

Check German recruitment websites. There are many online sites offering jobs for both German and foreigners. You can check the job offers there, and see if any of them suits you

Sign on a recruitment agency in Germany. You can find a list of these agencies in the German Yellow pages. Note that they will charge you a fee for signing up with them.

Contact companies in Germany. It is totally okay to write to a German company and ask them if they are planning to take in any new employees, even if they do not have any vacancy announcement.

2. Apply for the job you have found

After you find the job that fits you, send a job application. Usually most of the companies will ask you for the following documents:

• your CV
• copies of your educational certificates
• employer testimonials
• samples of your work

3. Attend the job interview

Many of the companies will give you the chance to attend the interview online, i.e. through Skype. However, some others have strict policies that job applicants must show in person for the interview. If that is the case, you should apply for a Jobseeker visa, and attend the interview. If you get the job, you should return in your country of residence and apply for an employment visa, as explained in this article.

Of course this is only a way to get a job in Germany. There are other ways as well, as getting a jobseeker visa and going to Germany to find the job in person, etc.

The best way to go about is to obtain a Residence Permit/EU Blue Card from Foreign Nationals’ Registration Office in the vicinity. The Residence Permit allows students to stay in Germany post-study for 18 months to work in an industry befitting their course of study and qualification. Having gained a work experience of at least 2 years, the students are eligible to apply for permanent residency provided the candidates still have a job in Germany that would support his/her living cost in this European country.

Let’s read the steps about how international students can apply for permanent residency in Germany.

• The international students, having gained post-study work experience of at least 2 years after graduating from a German higher education institution, can apply for German permanent residence permit known as the Settlement Permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis), provided they fulfil some prerequisite conditions.
• The applicants need to prepare their documentation which includes completed application form for PR, valid passport, degree certificates, evidence of employment for the past 2 years, employment contract, proof of paid pension insurance, health insurance, biometric photo, proof of accommodation & registration, rental agreement, proof of competent knowledge of German language and other necessary documents. Then, submit their PR application.

The province of Quebec operates its own Quebec immigration programs separate from all other provinces. This is the application process for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents of Canada and live in Quebec.

Quebec has a special agreement on immigration with the Government of Canada. The province has its own rules for choosing immigrants who will adapt well to living there. To immigrate to Canada as a Quebec-selected skilled worker, you must apply in the following 2 stages:

1. Apply to the Government of Quebec for a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec [CSQ]).
• The Province of Quebec will assess you, using its own rules.
• The certificate shows that the Province of Quebec has accepted you as an immigrant.
2. If the Province of Quebec chooses you and gives you a CSQ, you must apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for permanent residence.

These instructions are for your application for permanent residence only. There are two main Quebec immigration programs namely; the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program and Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).

Processing time for this program is 15 to 17 months. The Quebec Skilled Worker program is an immigration program that does not require a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.

The program selects candidates for permanent residence who have the intention of residing in Quebec and are likely to become economically established there. Although the program has no official list of eligible occupations you may want to take a look at some of the occupations that are currently in demand in Quebec.

If the criteria set out by Quebec's immigration authorities are met, the individual will qualify for the program regardless of their occupation or field of expertise. To qualify for a Quebec Selection Certificate, Skilled Worker applicants must score enough points under the Quebec Immigration selection system.

A single applicant must score at least 49 points based on the criteria and an applicant with a spouse or common-law partner must score at least 57 points. Applicants who are successful under the Quebec Immigration selection system are issued a Quebec Selection Certificate, at which point they may apply for a Canadian permanent resident visa.

Each one of Canada’s provinces and territories operates their own immigration programs. These are called Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) and there are more than 80 of these programs across the country. This program is for workers who:

• have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory
• want to live in that province, and
• want to become permanent residents of Canada

Each province and territory has its own “streams” (immigration programs that target certain groups) and requirements. For example, in a program stream, provinces and territories may target:

• students
• business people
• skilled workers
• semi-skilled workers

The province of Quebec does not have a provincial nominee program. To be nominated by a province or territory, you must follow the instructions on their website and contact them directly:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

The criteria by province and territory vary and can change without notice. A provincial nomination is the single most valuable factor in the CRS, effectively guaranteeing that the candidate receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) at a subsequent draw from the pool.

Individuals who wish to apply for a provincial nomination under an enhanced PNP stream must first create an Express Entry profile and enter the pool. With more than 70 unique PNP streams across the provinces, we can fit them into three broad categories: first-come first-served, Expression of Interest, and passive.

Whether you are a skilled worker, an international student, or an entrepreneur, our team will scan through all available PNPs to let you know your options. If you are eligible for a PNP, our team will provide full support through preparing, submitting, and monitoring your application!

For many Canadian citizens and permanent residents, Canada’s family sponsorship immigration program can help their loved ones reunite with them in Canada. Your relatives can live, study and work in Canada if they become permanent residents of Canada. You can sponsor certain relatives to come to Canada if you’re at least 18 years old and a:

• Canadian citizen or
• person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act or
• permanent resident of Canada

You must live in Canada to sponsor eligible relatives unless you:

• are a Canadian citizen who lives abroad and
• plan to return to Canada when your relatives immigrate and
• are sponsoring your:
• spouse or
• common-law or conjugal partner or
• dependent children who have no dependent children

If you live in Quebec, you must also meet Quebec’s conditions to be a sponsor after we approve you as a sponsor. This includes signing an “undertaking” with the province. This is a contract that binds your sponsorship.

If you sponsor a relative to come to Canada as a permanent resident, you must:

• support your relative financially when they arrive
• be able to meet basic needs for yourself and your relative, such as:
• food
• shelter
• clothing
• make sure your relative doesn’t need social assistance

At A.O.S Migration Agency, we recognize the importance of family connection, an importance which is mirrored in the efforts of our family sponsorship department.

If you are seeking to sponsor your spouse, child, parent, or grandparent, our sponsorship specialists will assist you every step of the way.

Temporary visas authorize entry to Canada for temporary periods of time. Temporary visas and permits include visitor visas, work permits, and study permits. If you’d like to come to Canada as a visitor, worker, or student, our team will be able to assist you with preparing the proper application. As well, we can provide guidance on what to do if your permit or visa is going to expire!

A visitor visa (also called a temporary resident visa) is an official document that we stick in your passport. It shows that you meet the requirements needed to enter Canada. Most travelers need a visitor visa to travel to Canada.

You may also need one if you’re transiting through a Canadian airport on your way to your final destination. You can apply for a visitor visa online or on paper. How long you can stay - Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months in Canada.

At the port of entry, the border services officer may allow you to stay for less or more than 6 months. If so, they’ll put the date you need to leave by in your passport. They might also give you a document, called a visitor record, which will show the date you need to leave by.

If you don’t get a stamp in your passport, you can stay for 6 months from the day you entered Canada or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. If you need a stamp, you can ask a border services officer for one. If you arrive at an airport that uses primary inspection kiosks, ask the border officer after you finish at the kiosk.

Make sure you need a visitor visa before you apply - You may need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization. The entry document you need depends on:

• the type of travel document you plan to travel with
• the country that issued your travel document
• your nationality
• your method of travel to Canada for this trip

Find out if you need a visitor visa.

Canada Work Permit, or a Work Visa, is issued to eligible overseas individuals to work in that country for a specific time period. People need to apply for a Work Visa only after getting a job offer or an employment contract from a Canadian employer.

The employer must obtain from ESDC (Employment and Social Development Canada) an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment), which gives them permission to recruit foreign skilled workers for occupations that cannot be filled in by citizens or permanent residents of Canada.

As one of the world’s leading economies Canada is a great destination for individuals seeking to work abroad. The Canadian Work Permit Visa allows business people, permanent workers, temporary workers, students and others to work in Canada.

Typically, applicants need to have a job offer in hand in order to apply for the work permit visa. With our end-to-end overseas career solutions, A.O.S Migration Agency can help you find a job and apply for a Canadian Work Permit Visa.

The Agri-Food Pilot helps address the labour needs of the Canadian agri-food sector. The pilot provides a pathway to permanent residence for experienced, non-seasonal workers in specific industries and occupations.

It will run until May 2023. The new Agri-food Immigration Pilot will open up over 2,750 job opportunities for skilled farm and livestock workers looking to immigrate to Canada and apply for permanent residence.

The Agri-Food immigration pilot program is industry-specific, aimed at attracting non-seasonal farm and livestock workers who have the intention of settling and remaining in Canada year-round, particularly in the meat processing, animal raising, green housing, and mushroom production sectors.

Eligibility for the pilot depends on having a valid job offer in one of the specialized occupations as well as your work experience. To apply for this pilot you will need to have a valid job offer and show that you are an experienced worker in one of the specified occupations within the meat production and agricultural sector. 

With permanent resident status, foreign workers would have access to more of the social programs they help pay for through taxation, such as Employment Insurance and the Canadian Pension Plan. 

With the agri-food immigration pilot, more workers will be able to plan long-term settlement in Canada, rather than a temporary stint with little-to-no hope of settling permanently. The minimum language requirements for IELTS, TEF or TCF Canada are Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) Level 4 in Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening.

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers and international graduates who want to work and live in one of Canada’s 4 Atlantic Provinces: New Foundland and Labrador, Prince Edwards Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

This is an employer-driven program designed to help employers in Atlantic Canada hire qualified candidates for jobs they have been unable to fill locally.

To immigrate to Atlantic Canada through the pilot, you must be a recent graduate of a publicly funded institution in Atlantic Canada or a skilled worker who meets the program requirements.

You can be living abroad or already be in Canada temporarily. You must receive a job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada to participate in the pilot.

People can become a permanent resident of Australia in different ways. Three common ways of becoming a permanent resident are through gaining:

• a family-stream permanent visa
• a work-stream permanent visa
• business or investor-stream permanent visa

Check that you meet our criteria before you apply. If your visa has a “no further stay” condition attached, you cannot stay in Australia beyond the period specified in your visa in order to apply for permanent residency.

Australian immigration is possible based on skills, work experience and qualification for tradespeople and skilled professionals.  For an evaluation of your chances for immigration to Australia you have the option of completing the points calculator below or sending an email with details about yourself to london@workpermit.com(link sends e-mail)(link sends e-mail)

You need to meet ALL the basic requirements prior to going ahead with an application under the Skilled migration categories.

These are for:

• partners, children, parents or dependent relatives of an Australian citizen, permanent resident of Australia or Eligible New Zealand citizen
• children being adopted or in the process of being adopted outside of Australia
• carers who need to move to Australia to provide long-term care for an approved relative

Explore permanent visa options for families.

These are for workers who have an Australian employer sponsoring them to work in Australia, or have skills that Australia values.

Explore permanent visa options for workers.

Explore permanent visa options for business or investment.

The international students having graduated from Australia can apply for permanent residency through the SkillSelect Migration Program, which is an online system to help lodge an online Expression of Interest (EOI) for migrants.

Highlighted below are the steps that an international student having graduated from Australia can take to apply for permanent residency.

• The candidates need to visit the SkillSelect section of the Department of Immigration & Border Protection website and create an EOI which needs information such as an applicant’s given name & family name, birth date, country of origin, gender, passport & citizenship details, place of residence and relationship status. The applicants must confirm the information provided by them to create an account by providing an email ID and password. Upon submission, the applicants receive an expression of interest identification number by email for future reference.
• After creating an account on SkillSelect, the candidates need to sign in using the identification number and password, and complete all the necessary sections.
• Now, the applicants got to select the type of visa applicable for them – Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189). Subclass 189 not only allows to work and study anywhere in Australia, but also lets the visa holder sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence. And, if the visa holder is eligible, he/she can be granted citizenship of Australia.
• The candidates need to submit their English language test details which include the date of examination, test reference number and test scores, educational details, skills assessment, employment history.
• After the submission of EOI, the application is assessed and ranked against other intending applicants. On ranking high, the applicant is invited to apply for the visa.

Now that you know how to go about applying for permanent residency, let’s read about the things that the applicants must keep in mind before the visa application process begins.

• The applicants must be under the age of 45 years of age when invited to apply for the visa.
• The applicants must have a suitable skills assessment at the time of invitation. This skills assessment must have been obtained by the applicant within 3 years before the date of visa application invitation. This assessment is done on the basis of the qualification that the applicant obtained in Australia while holding a student visa. Also, the applicant must have studied a course registered on CRICOS.
• Since Subclass 189 is a point-based visa, the applicants must score at least 65 to get an invitation. The score is given during the filling of EOI in SkillSelect on the basis of the information submitted by the applicant. Also, the applicants must support the information filled by them in EOI at the time of lodging visa application.
• The applicants must provide proof of having competent English at the time of visa application by submitting valid English language test results.

• The intending applicants’ occupation must be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations.
• The applicants also need to meet health and character requirements. They must have paid back or arranged to pay their debts to the Australian government.
• Also, the applicants need to sign the Australian values statement that states that the candidate will respect the Australian ways of life and obey Australian laws.

Read ‘Study in Australia: All you need to know’ to gather details about education in Australia for an international student.

The Australian Government has recently created a pathway to permanent residency for eligible retirees.

This pathway provides options to long-term residents who have contributed to, and are well-established in the community.

The government has built the pathway by setting aside a portion of places from the permanent migration scheme for parents.

Learn more about the Retirement visa pathway.

This visa is for certain permanent Former Residents.

These visas are for people with an internationally-recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement.

• Distinguished Talent visa (subclass 124) - closed to new applications

Distinguished Talent visa (subclass 858)

These visas are for people who left their home country due to persecution.

To learn more about refugee and humanitarian visas, explore visa options.

This visa lets invited workers with skills we need live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.

• ​​​You don't need a sponsor or nominator
• You must be invited to apply
• You must be under 45 to be invited

Stay

Permanently

Cost

From AUD4,045

Processing Time

75% of applications: 17 months

90% of applications: 25 months

Details

With this visa, you can

• work and study anywhere in Australia
• sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
• if eligible, become an Australian citizen

See all conditions

Check your eligibility

You must

• have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
• have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
• be invited to apply for this visa
• satisfy the points test

This visa is for invited workers and New Zealand citizens with skills we need, to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.

Stay

​Permanently

Cost

From AUD4,045

Processing Time

See the relevant stream

• ​You must be a skilled worker, or
• You must be a New Zealand citizen holding a Special category visa (subclass 444) who has been living in Australia for the last 5 years

Details

Subclass 887

Skilled regional visa

This visa is for people who have lived and worked in specified areas of regional Australia on a previous, eligible visa.

Stay

Permanently

Cost

From AUD415

Processing Time

• 75% of applications: 14 months
• 90% of applications: 20 months

We are currently assessing applications submitted before September 2020

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​You must apply online
• You must have been living and working in a specified regional area of Australia
• You must hold a subclass 489, 495, 496, 475 or 487, or a Bridging visa A or B after applying for a subclass 489, 495 or 487 visa

Details

Subclass 124

Distinguished Talent visa

This is a permanent visa for people who have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in an eligible field.

Stay

Permanently

Cost

From AUD4,110

Processing Time

• 75% of applications: 22 months
• 90% of applications: 25 months

• ​​You must be outside Australia when we grant the visa
• You must have been prominent in your field during the past 2 years
• You must be nominated by an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, eligible NZ citizen, or Australian organisation with a national reputation in your field

Details

Subclass 858

Global talent visa

This is a permanent visa for people who have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in an eligible field.

Stay

Permanently

Cost

From AUD4,110

Processing Time

Global Talent Pathway

• 75% of applications: 65 days
• 90% of applications: 3 months

Distinguished Talent Pathway

• 75% of applications: 18 months
• 90% of applications: 20 months

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​You must be in Australia when you apply and when we grant the visa.
• You must have been prominent in your field during the past 2 years.
• You must be nominated by an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, eligible NZ citizen, or Australian organisation with a national reputation in your field

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

France is the most visited country in the world. It is also a popular place to relocate to, with a strong economy and many popular, vibrant cities. As an EU country that is part of the Schengen Area, France has a two-tier immigration system. EU/EFTA citizens can travel passport-free with the same rights to look for work and study as French nationals. Non-EU/EFTA nationals usually need a visa.
The French Office for Immigration and Integration (L’office Francais de l’immigration et de l’intégration – OFII) is the government agency in charge of immigration in France.

Residence and citizenship in France

If you are staying in France for more than three months, you will need a residence permit (carte de séjour). The temporary VLS-TS visa acts as a one-year residence permit which you need to validate with the OFII within three months of arrival.

If you have a standard long-stay visa, you need to apply for a residence permit within two months of arrival. You can do this online or through your local prefecture (in Paris, you need to do it through the police station).

Most standard French residence permits are valid for one year and are renewable for up to five years. After living continuously in France for five years, you can apply for a 10-year renewable long-term permit (carte de resident). You need to fulfill certain requirements, depending on your individual circumstances. These could include proof of marriage, birth certificates, and evidence that you can speak French.

Another option is to apply for French citizenship, which you can also do after living in France for five years. Citizenship gives you additional rights such as voting rights and the right to a French passport, but it also involves tougher requirements and additional costs.

Residency for UK nationals living in France before Brexit

UK nationals living in France before 1 January 2021 can stay in the country on much the same terms as EU/EFTA citizens as long as they have applied for a Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit (WARP) before 1 October 2021. Those living in France for less than five years will get a temporary five-year renewable permit. Those living in France for more than five years will get a renewable ten-year permit or the chance to apply for French citizenship.

Family members of UK citizens already living in France also have certain residency rights. See our guide to moving to France after Brexit for full details.

EU/EFTA nationals

You don’t need to apply for a French visa if you are an EU/EFTA citizen. You no longer have to apply for a residence permit (carte de séjour) or register at your local town hall (mairie) if you’re an EU/EFTA citizen. However, you can apply for a residence card if you wish.

Spouses and dependent relatives of EU/EFTA nationals have the same entry rights. However, they must apply for a residence permit within three months of arriving in France.

Non-EU/EFTA nationals

Some nationalities need a visa to enter France, even if just staying for a short period of time. You can check the France-Visas website for the requirements of your own country and own situation.

All non-EU/EFTA nationals must apply for a long-term French visa (visa long de séjour) and residence permit if they want to stay in France longer than 90 days.

UK nationals after Brexit

Since 1 January 2021, the UK is no longer a member of the EU and its citizens can no longer benefit from free movement to EU countries including France. As of September 2021, UK nationals can travel to France without a visa for short stay visits or if staying overnight at a French airport. However, as ever with Brexit, this is liable to change, so be sure to check travel requirements before traveling.

If you travel to France on a UK passport and plan to stay longer than three months, you’ll need one of the French long-stay visas. The correct visa for you will depend on your individual circumstances. You will also need to apply for a residence permit (carte de séjour). For more information, see our guide to moving to France after Brexit.

There are essentially three types of French visa:

• Short-stay visa (uniform Schengen visa), which is for visits to France lasting three months or less.
• Temporary long-stay visa (visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour – VLS-TS), which is for stays of up to a year.
• Long-stay visa (visa de long séjour), which is for stays in France of over one year.

See below for information on individual types of short-stay and long-stay visas in France.

France uses the Uniform Schengen category C visa as its short-stay visa. This is valid for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. It can be granted for tourism, business trips, short-term study, family visits, medical care, and short-term work-related purposes. The Schengen visa allows you to travel around the Schengen Area for its duration.

You will also need the Schengen visa if you travel outside the international zone at any French airport.

You can apply for this French visa at a French embassy or consulate in your home country. Alternatively, you can apply online. Before applying, you should check the French visa wizard to see what your individual requirements are.

You should make your application between six months and two weeks prior to your trip. Documents you will need are:

• Travel ID such as a passport which is valid for at least three months after your travel dates.
• Two recent passport photos
• Supporting documents, which will depend on the purposes of your stay. These usually include proof of reason for traveling (e.g. study invitation letter), proof of finances and health insurance. You can check your requirements on the visa wizard.

You will then need to attend an appointment at the French embassy or consulate in your home country to submit your biometric data and pay your visa fees. The fee for this visa is €80 (€40 for children aged 6–12, free for children under 6). See the full list of fees here.

When you arrive in France, you will need to present your passport, visa, and supporting documents to enter the country.

Short-stay visa for non-European French territories

If you plan to travel to any of the French overseas territories and are subject to visa restrictions, you will need a separate visa as these territories are not within the Schengen Area. This means that you will need two separate visas if you plan to travel to France and the overseas territories. Application guidelines, processes, and fees for this visa are similar to the standard short-stay visa.

You will need an airport transit visa, also called a category A visa, if you are changing flights in France and staying in the international zone of a French airport. This applies if you are flying from and to countries that are outside the Schengen Area. Check requirements for your country using the visa wizard.

There are three types of airport transit visas: one-way, return, and multiple entry. Fees are the same as for the standard Schengen visa.

You cannot leave the international zone of the airport on this visa. If you need to travel beyond the zone and into the Schengen Area for any reason, you will need a short-stay Schengen visa.

Arriving in France

Once you have arrived in France and applied for/validated your residence permit, the OFII will contact you for an interview regarding integrating into French society. You will also have to undergo a two-day civic training course and take a French language test. Other things you should consider to help you settle in include:

• Registering for French healthcare
• Opening a French bank account
• Setting up utilities and telecommunications in France

See our guide on 10 things to do during your first week in France for a more detailed list of what to consider.

Appeals and complaints

If your application for a French visa has been refused and you wish to contest it, you need to lodge an appeal with either the French embassy or consulate in your home country or the Visa Appeals Board in France (Commission de Recours contre les Décisions de Refus de Visa). You need to do this within two months of the decision. The appeal must be in French if sent to the Visa Appeals Board.

In instances where you have been refused a French residence permit, you can appeal in the first instance to your local prefecture (recours gracieux). The next step is to take it to the Ministry of the Interior (recours hierarchique) if unhappy with the outcome.

The final option to challenge any immigration decision in France is to take it to an administrative court (recours contentieux). However, this involves getting specialist legal help and can be costly. Because of this, you should be sure that you have a strong case before taking this course of action.

Temporary long-stay French visas (VLS-TS) are valid for up to one year and are non-renewable. If you come to France on a VLS-TS and want to stay longer than a year, you will need to apply for a French residence permit and meet the criteria for extending your stay.

The VLS-TS acts as a temporary residence permit in France. You need to validate this permit within three months of arriving in France. Once you complete the validation process, you can travel freely around the Schengen Area for the duration of your permit.

The application process for this visa is similar to the short-stay visa process. You can apply by visiting a French embassy or consulate in your home country or you can do it online. Standard documentary requirements are:

• Travel ID such as a passport which is valid for at least three months after your travel dates.
• Two recent passport photos
• Supporting documents, which will depend on the purposes of your stay. These usually include proof of reason for traveling (e.g. study invitation letter), proof of finances and health insurance. You can check your requirements on the visa wizard.

You will then need to attend an appointment at the French embassy or consulate in your home country to submit your biometric data and pay your visa fees. The general fee for this visa is €99. You will need to present both your French visa and passport along with all supporting documents when you enter France.

VLS-TS visas broadly fall into the following three categories.

Temporary worker visas

The VLS-TS visas are issued for anyone traveling to France to carry out work for a period of less than a year. The visa will be marked “travailleur temporaire” (temporary worker) and can be used for a variety of purposes including:

• Transfers to a French branch of an international company
• Temporary seasonal work
• Foreign language teaching jobs
• Professional medical employment lasting less than a year
• To search for highly-skilled work after graduating from a master’s-level qualification in France
• Work exchange program for young professionals aged 18–30

For most of these French visas, you will first need an offer or contract of employment. Your employer may also need to get permission from the French authorities, and possibly a work permit.

You can get a VLS-TS visa for short-term study or training courses lasting 3–6 months. For study lasting longer than this, you’ll usually get a standard long-stay visa. To get this visa, you will need to have been accepted onto a higher education program at an accredited French education institution.

You can also get a temporary training visa to come and work in France as an au pair if you are aged between 18–30. You’ll need an au pair placement agreement and accommodation with a French family to ensure you can study the language. The au pair visa can be extended up to a maximum of two years.

Study visas

Study visas are for international students who have a placement offer for a higher education course at a French university or educational institution. Your visa lasts for as long as your study program. You can work up to 964 hours a year on this French visa, which corresponds to around 60% of normal working hours.

If you have a child aged under 18 that wants to study in a French primary or secondary school, you can apply for a school-going minor (mineur scolarisé) visa. You will need to provide details about your child’s enrolment.

Read our guide to French study visas for more information.

Other temporary French visas are categorized as special purpose visas, or visas specific for certain circumstances. These include:

• Volunteering on placements lasting less than 12 months, including European Voluntary Service (EVS) placements
• The Work Holiday Program open to young people aged 18–30 from 15 countries (extended to the age of 35 in Argentina, Australia and Canada)
• Extended private stays lasting between 3-6 months, where you can show ability to fund yourself and agree not to undertake any professional or work activity

General long-stay French visas are for any stays lasting longer than a year. Typically the initial visa and permit granted is for one year. After this, you need to obtain a longer-term residence permit from your local préfecture. Sometimes you may initially get the temporary VLS-TS if your stay may not last beyond a year. You can then apply for a residence permit if you end up staying beyond a year, providing you meet the necessary criteria.

The visa application process for long-stay visas is very much the same as for other French visas. This includes the option to apply online and the requirement to visit the French embassy or consulate in your home country to pay the fees and give your biometric data. The general fee for long-stay visas is €99. You will also need to provide the necessary supporting documentation including anything relevant to the purposes of your stay.

Your long-stay visa will give you the right to travel around the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. You will need to apply for a French residence permit within two months of arriving to legally remain in France.

French authorities grant a variety of long-stay visas under four general categories.

Extended private stay visas

You can apply for this visa if you want to relocate to France for purposes of retirement. You will need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself in France without recourse to public funds, such as adequate pension coverage. The current income requirements are €120 a day if you don’t have a hotel booking.

If you intend to come to France for a long stay period for medical treatment, you will need evidence of adequate health insurance coverage.

Read our guide on retiring to France for more detailed information.

You can get a long-stay work visa in France to work or carry out self-employed business activities. For work, you will usually need to have a job offer. If starting a business or working self-employed, you will need to show the economic viability of the project and that you have sufficient funds to start it.

Most French work visas are for high-skilled professions. Current visa categories include:

• The multi-year talent passport (passeport talent) for highly-skilled workers and entrepreneurs, valid for up to four years and also allows spouse and dependent children to travel with you.
• Internal transfer to a French branch of an international ICT company for senior management and staff with high-skilled expertise. The visa is marked “salarié détaché ICT” (ICT posted employee).
• Long-term repeated seasonal work (travailleur saisonnier).
• Long-term internships or traineeships. Your visa contains the title “stagiaire” (trainee).

You can apply for a family visa in France to join certain relatives long-term. The conditions depend on where the family member you are joining is from. If your relative currently in France is a:

• EU/EFTA national (other than France), you can join if you are a spouse, child aged under 21 or a dependent direct relative. You will need to apply for a residence permit within three months of arrival. You may need to get a short-stay visa to enter the country.
• French national, you can join if you are a spouse, child/adopted child aged over 21 or dependent older relative. You will usually need a long-stay visa to come to France. Check here for requirements.
• Non-EU/EFTA national, you can join if you are the spouse or child aged under 18 as long as the relative you are joining has been living in France for 18 months.

You will usually need to give proof of family relationships for these French visas. If applying to join a non-EU/EFTA family member, you will need evidence that they have sufficient funds to support you.

France also offers an adoption visa for parents living in France who want to adopt a child living outside the EU/EFTA.

France has a similar asylum system to countries such as Germany and the UK. Anyone can claim asylum in France. There were 81,800 asylum applications in the country in 2020, the third-highest total in the EU behind Germany and Spain.

The process for claiming asylum in France differs slightly depending on where you make the claim. If you apply at one of the French borders, you should make your application via the border police. If you apply from within France you should go to the nearest prefecture. You will then go to a reception center, have your fingerprints taken and the OFII will process your application, usually within three working days.

Following this, you should receive an asylum certificate and your case file will be registered with the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (Office Français de Protection des Réfugiés et Apatrides – OFPRA). You have 21 days to submit your full asylum application.

Applications typically take a few weeks to process but can sometimes take as long as six months. They usually involve an interview with an OFPRA official. During the application process, you will have the right to stay in an asylum reception center or other suitable accommodation. You will also be offered a monthly allowance which varies according to how many people are applying together. The current amount for a single applicant is €6.80 per day (or €14.80 if no accommodation is provided).

Additionally, asylum seekers in France have a right to emergency healthcare, legal representation, and school access for children aged 3–16. They can seek employment six months after making an application.

Asylum application outcomes

OFPRA will deliver one of three verdicts:

• Granting of full refugee status, with a 10-year renewable residence permit.
• Granting of subsidiary protection, with a maximum residence permit of four years at the end of which they will review your case.
• Rejection of application, in which case you will need to leave France voluntarily or face deportation. You can appeal through the National Court of Asylum (Cour Nationale du Droit d’Asile – CNDA).

See more information here (in French) and here.