r/ImmigrationGermany

Hey everyone 😊

I’ve been doing quite a bit of research into the Approbation process in Germany for doctors who qualified outside the EU, and I’m hoping to hear from people who have actually gone through it because sometimes first-hand experience tells you the little things the official checklists don’t!

I’m particularly interested in experiences from Uganda 🇺🇬** or elsewhere in East Afric**a, but honestly, if you qualified outside the EU and went through the process in Germany, please feel free to share your experience too!
Aside from the German language requirements (B2/Fachsprachprüfung), what documents did you actually need when applying for Approbation?

I’ve come across things like the medical degree, transcript, detailed university curriculum/syllabus, theoretical and clinical hours, clinical rotation records, internship documents, medical registration, Certificate of Good Standing and work-experience letters but I’m curious to know what the authorities actually asked you for.
Also, which Bundesland did you apply in, and how was the process there?

Most importantly: is there any document you wish you had obtained from your university, hospital or medical council before leaving your home country?

I’m trying to avoid the dreaded “Oh, you need this one random document from five years ago” situation once already in Germany.
Any experiences, tips or even things to avoid would be really appreciated. And if you’d rather not share publicly, my DMs are open too
Thank you!💕

I have an immigration situation because of the lack of communication from Ausländerbehörde.

Best I can explain:

Me: Been living here since 2022 with family reunification permit valid until Oct 2026 (because passport expires Oct 2026)

January 2026: Passport renewed, residence permit was attached to passport of course

January 2026: Requested a "Transfer of the residence permit to the new passport" https://stadt.muenchen.de/service/en-GB/info/servicestelle-fur-zuwanderung-und-einburgerung/10425556/

February 1, 2026: Applied for Niederlassungserlaubnis (spouse has Niederlassungserlaubnis, I've been living here for 3+ years, working full time, all the other requirements like language, leben in DE, etc, checked)

No answer at all, for anything, not even the transfer of residence permit

Processing time for NE went from 12 weeks, to 20 weeks, and now to 12 months.

June 2026: No answer at all, for anything, so I decided to applied through my work for a Blue Card, as I saw that the processing time for the NE was increased to 1 year

July 2026: Lawyer from my company applied in the first week of July, received a reply in August for an appointment in September, yes! Less tan a month to get a reply with a lawyer.

I have an appointment in September for the Fachkräfte mit akademischer ausbildung, for some reason they didn't make the appointment for the blue card even though I fullfill all of the requirements

Now the issue in hand:

I have received an offer to another company for almost double my salary, I would like to change jobs, but I dont know how can I? I originally had the family reunification visa that allowed me to work anywhere (and I still have it, but it will expire in October, I applied for the Niederlassungserlaubnis as I thought it would take less than 4 months, but now they have changed the processing time to 1 year, and this is why I decided to apply for the work visa, as I need to travel and dont want to be left without status. What can I do? How can I change jobs? Should I just reject the offer just because Ausländerbehörde takes too long to get a decision?

Btw, I looked everywhere how to just extend the family reunification visa, I never found how, it just said that you needed to apply again, so this is why I decided to get the NE, originally the processing time was the same , or less something like that.

Hi everyone,

I’m applying for a German student visa from India and would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has actually been in a similar situation.

I started my visa/CSP process using an admission from University A, and my VFS appointment is in about 10 days. I have now received a better/preferred admission from University B and plan to study there instead.

Has anyone received a new admit before their VFS appointment and simply taken the new admission letter + updated supporting documents to the existing appointment and asked VFS to update the university?

Or did you continue the visa process with University A, receive the visa, enrol at University B and handle the university change after reaching Germany?

I also have a question about travel dates. If the visa is issued based on University A but I ultimately enrol at University B, can I travel to Germany after University A’s enrolment deadline, provided I’m already enrolled at University B? Or could this create an issue at immigration?

I’ve contacted VFS as well, but I’m mainly looking for first-hand experiences from people who have actually done this recently, especially through VFS India.

Thanks!

Hi I needed some help in understanding what would be my options in securing my wife's and my VISA application so that we can get to Germany together.

I have an offer from Munich University of Applied Sciences for a Scientist/Research position with salary matching TL-V level-1. I also have work experience post my PhD, I hear the level can be increased.

I am trying to apply through the German embassy Consular Services Portal, but I am still to figure out how to get both my and my wife's submission to go through. Also it seems that the submissions through the German Embassy have wait times of 3 weeks and above for the Bluecard application. I find the family reunion route for my wife to also be tricky.

I would like it if someone can help me regarding the following matters:

1. It seems they are not exactly accepting of my verification of employment letter given by my previous company. They are talking about some more formal employment relationship letter. If anyone knows more about it do let me know.
2. Should I prefer VFS to German Embassy. I wish to get the VISA before I announce my exit to my current employer. So I would in principle like to able to get this done fast. I am awaiting certain documents from the University for the time being. But as soon as I get them what would be a better platform to send in my application.
3. I am really confused regarding the spouse reunion route, is this where my wife needs to fill in her application to come along with me. In case anyone was ever in a similar situation and can help me with my situation I would be very grateful!

I am leaving the country for close to 2 months. Do I need to deregister my old address, I will be cancelling my rental contract. While I initially assumed I need to deregister, I came across some sources that claimed I could lose my visa in Germany while I am outside the country with no registered address.

I would and appreciate some pointers on this issue and sources if available (I am currently holding a student Visa)

Hey folks, I came to Germany with Blue Card at October 31st 2021 then started working the next day; November 1st.

I have been working without a day off in till then, I also got my permanent residency last year. I received an exciting offer from another company, I want to take it. And my start date will be November 1st 2026, the very next day of my 5 year anniversary.

I am planning to apply for the citizenship before I change my job so that I don't wait for 6 months to end probation in the new company. Not sure if it's okay to apply during probation. This is my plan:

• Get an Arbeitsbescheinigung from my current employer on the last week. They are okay with not mentioning the termination on the letter (not sure if this is mandatory but they said they can omit that if I want as I'm a good leaver).
• Apply for the citizenship literally in the day of my 5 year anniversary of coming to Germany: October 31st, 2026
• Then start working on my new job the very next day
• Then it will probably take months for them to get back to me with a reply. I will let them know about the change when they get back to me.

I don't want to wait for another 6 months to apply but of course then I don't want to to break any rules or piss them off either. Would this work out?

Or should I just apply the very next week after starting my new job in the first week of my probation?

Hello everyone, I am looking for some advice regarding a friend's visa situation. 🚨

She was in Germany on an Au-Pair visa which expired on June 30. She could only get an appointment with the Ausländerbehörde (ABH) for a date after June 30.

At the time of her appointment, she had a signed employer contract for an Ausbildung starting on October 1, but she did not yet have the registration contract from the vocational school (Berufsschule). Because her Au-Pair visa had expired and her application for the Ausbildung was incomplete, the ABH issued her a Duldung and gave her two weeks to submit the school contract.

She managed to get the school contract within those two weeks and submitted it. However, when she went back to the ABH, they told her that because she is now on a Duldung, she cannot change her residence status from within Germany. They instructed her to travel back to Nepal and apply for an Ausbildung visa from the German embassy there.

My questions for the community:

Is there any legal loophole or exception (perhaps under § 39 AufenthV) that allows her to switch from a Duldung to an Ausbildung visa (§ 16a AufenthG) without leaving the country?

We read about the Ausbildungs-Aufenthaltserlaubnis (§ 16g AufenthG). Could she qualify for this?

If returning to Nepal is truly the only way, what is the fastest procedure to ensure she gets her visa in time for the October 1 start date?

When she travels back to Nepal will the border police mark or stamp anything negative in her passport indicating that she was on a Duldung? Will she face any problems or interrogations at the airport during her departure?

Will having had a Duldung negatively affect her new visa application for the Ausbildung when she applies at the German embassy in Nepal?

Any insights or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Hi guy,

Having graduated in Germany I have received the 18 job seeking visa. Now I got a full time job I assume that I can apply for skill labor visa.

Non-eu btw

My question is: if I apply and receive the skill Labour Visa. Would they cancel my existing job seeking visa ?

I understand that the visa is tie to employer, even with blue card for one year but can I change job still, is it practically impossible in the first 2 year. As I heard that you need to request it, and the new company won’t wait that long.

I know I have my opportunity card left to play still if it really comes to it and that would be year at most. But can I apply the opportunity one year after graduation?

LTDR: what is my exit strategy if my job is super shitty? As a non EU GRADUATE on the first job ?

Is there anyone who appeared at VFS Delhi for a Schengen work visa appointment during the week of 13th July and has since received their passport?

​

Hi.

Friend of mine not using Reddit, so on his behalf I want to ask you'll if someone have gone through same situation recently, please share your suggestions.

He is from Nepal. Currently in berlin. He came to Germany in 2023 for master degree, he did internship and completed degree with thesis last year. Then his 18 month job seeker visa starts. Now he left with approx 6 month with his job seeker visa, and job market is very bad. He is trying hard but still no hope yet, so he heard maybe he choose second master degree with AI, as recently AI market has boom, and getting job with AI skill might help in future.

But if he pursue this second master degree (any city possibly) and currently holding job seeker visa(after completing 1st master) , will Ausländerbehörde allow and convert job seeker visa to student visa?

And currently he has not much liquid fund, but he is doing part time job roughly earning 1200€ so will that part time job contract work instead of block accounts?

I hope if someone had face same situation recently please share there solutions.

Also please mention which City they did this kind of converting process from Job seeker visa to student. So we get more info.

Thanks in Advance.

Hi , i moved to germany in April 2021 and got my blue card in April 2024. The validity of the blue vard was till june 2027.
However i recently got my passport renewed at Indian embassy in Munich and the new validity is till august 2036.

Now i am confused between two options , transfer of residence permit to the new passport or direct apply PR .
i dont have all the documents as of now. i have given A1 exam and still waiting for dates of leben in deustchland but all these might take some time.

what should be the right way of handling this. I guess informing ABH is mandatory but i am confused how to proceed

Two things this year finished me off: a tax registration and a re-registration, both landing as a stack of forms I had to read, sort, and work out what actually needed doing. My German is fine for the bakery and useless for a Finanzamt letter.

So I built myself a thing: photograph the letter, get it back in plain English — what it is, what it means, the deadline, and what to do next. I run everything through it now. A Mahnung I'd have panicked about turned out to be for 81 euros. A Nebenkostenabrechnung I'd have just paid turned out to be worth challenging.

It's rough and it's free while I work out whether it's any good — I'd honestly rather people tell me it's wrong than not use it. It does ten languages, not just English, because the problem isn't only mine.

Happy to answer anything about the letters themselves. I've read a lot of them by now.

Hey guys ,

My Job seekers visa (Aufenthaltstitel under paragraph 20) is expiring in 4 months and I am currently enrolled in a 5 months B2 German course that ends in January next year sponsored by the Arbeitsamt to improve my German skills . I graduated with political science degree in English . I think I will not have enough time to find a job and apply for the 18b . Do you guys know any other paths or residence permits that can buy me an extra 6 months more after the expiration of my visa to look for jobs .Most employers are looking for people who can speak the language and it’s been difficult to find a job. Do you think the Opportunity Card Visa is another avenue of the Language visa ? Please your help and advise will be highly appreciated . Thanks in advance

Hi everyone,

I'm currently in Erlangen on a student residence permit and have a Blue Card appointment at the Ausländerbehörde on 20 August.

I originally signed a contract with Company A, starting 1 September. I've now received another offer from Company B, which is better financially and starts on 1 October.

The issue is that Company A's contract doesn't allow me to terminate before the start date, so I'd probably need an Aufhebungsvertrag from them.

I'm wondering what would make the most sense with the Blue Card process. Should I try to get Company B's contract before my appointment and use that instead? Or would it be easier to get the Blue Card for Company A first and then change employers afterwards?

I'm especially interested in experiences from people who have actually done an employer change with the Ausländerbehörde in Bavaria.

Did your employer change while your Blue Card application was still being processed? Was the employer named on your Zusatzblatt? And how complicated/slow was the Arbeitgeberwechsel?

Also, has anyone had experience getting an Aufhebungsvertrag from a company before actually starting the job?

Thanks!

Hi everyone,
I applied through the German Consular Services Portal (CSP) on 29 July 2026 and selected Bangalore VFS, but my application still hasn’t moved to “Preliminary Review.”

I wanted to check if anyone who applied around the same time through Bangalore VFS is in the same situation.

For those who applied recently:
When did you submit your CSP application?
Has your application moved to Preliminary Review yet?

If yes, how many days did it take?
Did you also select Bangalore VFS?
Has anyone who applied in July already received approval or moved to the VFS appointment stage?

Would really appreciate it if you could share your timeline. It would help me understand whether this waiting time is normal.
Thanks in advance! 🙏🇩🇪

Hi everyone,
I applied through the German **Consular Services Portal (CSP)** on **29 July 2026** and selected **Bangalore VFS**, but my application still hasn’t moved to **“Preliminary Review.”**

I wanted to check if anyone who applied around the same time through **Bangalore VFS** is in the same situation.

For those who applied recently:
When did you submit your CSP application?
Has your application moved to Preliminary Review yet?

If yes, how many days did it take?
Did you also select Bangalore VFS?
Has anyone who applied in July already received approval or moved to the VFS appointment stage?

Would really appreciate it if you could share your timeline. It would help me understand whether this waiting time is normal.
Thanks in advance! 🙏🇩🇪

I’m looking for practical advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation with a German national work visa.
I am a Russian citizen legally residing in Italy. I received a highly qualified job offer in Germany and applied for a German national work visa through the German Embassy in Rome.
Timeline:
21 April 2026 — online application submitted
5 May — appointment at the Embassy
8 May — additional documents requested and submitted immediately
My intended employment start date has already passed
Today, more than three months later, the application is still being processed
My employer has been actively involved and has contacted the authorities several times. The case has also been escalated to the Federal Foreign Office. The only information we receive is essentially that the application is still being processed and that we have to wait for the final decision. No timeline is given.
From previous communication, it appears that additional security checks may be involved because the position is in scientific/research-related work.
The problem is that waiting indefinitely is becoming financially impossible.
I left my previous employment in Italy in preparation for the move. I am currently paying for accommodation connected with both Italy and Germany, and my Italian apartment has to be vacated in about 10 days. My savings are running out. I cannot realistically finance another several months of waiting without income.
I also have a valid Italian EU Blue Card/residence permit, and my wife has a valid Italian family residence permit.
So I’m trying to understand what people actually do in this situation.
Has anyone had a national visa delayed for several months because of security/background checks? Is there any effective way to find out which authority is holding the application or whether the security check is still pending?
Would an Untätigkeitsklage under §75 VwGO make sense after more than three months, even if the delay is caused by a security check? Has anyone actually used one for a national visa application?
Most importantly: is there any legal way for us to stay temporarily in Germany using our valid Italian residence permits while the German visa application continues in Rome, without working in Germany until the visa is granted? We already have accommodation available in Germany, so this would solve a major part of the financial problem.
If not, are there any other realistic options I am missing?
I’m not looking for a way to circumvent immigration rules or start working illegally. I’m simply trying to find a legal way to survive financially while waiting for a process for which nobody can give me a completion date.
Any experiences with similar cases, especially involving research/scientific positions, Russian citizens, the German Embassy in Rome, or an Untätigkeitsklage, would be very helpful.

I am seeking personal experiences and community feedback regarding Care Concept's service for opening a blocked account (Sperrkonto) in Germany. Specifically, I want to know if individuals have successfully used this service for visa or residence permit requirements and whether the company is considered legitimate and trustworthy by the expat community. Are there any notable red flags, success stories, or common pitfalls associated with their process that potential users should be aware of?

Care Concept for the sperrkonto

Hey everyone, looking for some recent experiences with the German Consulate in Chicago, especially for national employment/internship visas.
I had my appointment on July 29 for a national visa for an internship in Germany. The appointment was straightforward. They took my documents and passport and didn’t really ask me any interview questions.
I already had travel health insurance for the first ~90 days, but they asked me to extend it for the rest of my stay. I purchased the additional coverage and submitted it on August 3. The consulate has since confirmed that my application is “in processing status,” but they said they can’t provide an ETA.
My passport is still with them and I have upcoming international travel, so the uncertainty is getting difficult. My internship is also coming up very soon.
For anyone who recently applied in Chicago for a German national visa (especially employment/internship):
How long did it take after your application was complete to get a decision?
How long after approval did they mail your passport back?
Did your status stay “processing” until the passport was suddenly shipped?
If ZAV/Bundesagentur für Arbeit approval was involved, did that noticeably delay things?
Would especially appreciate experiences from people who applied in July/August 2026, but any recent Chicago timelines would help.