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South Africans in Germany

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Important facts

  • South African citizens need a visa to travel to Germany and a residence permit to stay longer than 90 days
  • A visa allows you to enter the country, you apply for your visa at the German Embassy in South Africa. You must apply for the correct long-stay visa, this is linked to the residence permit you will apply for once you are in Germany.
  • For a list of long-stay visas and their relevant information please view our long-stay visas page.
  • After arriving in Germany, you need to register at the Foreigners Office (Ausländerbehörde)
  • Thereafter you need to apply for a residence permit (Aufenhaltstitel or Aufenhaltserlaubnis), which allows you to stay in the country for longer than 90 days
  • You do not need an agency or immigration lawyer to assist you.
  • The embassy in South Africa is extremely helpful, if you have all your paperwork in order, the process should go well. Their website is very informative.
  • Under certain circumstances, you can obtain a visa to look for work.
  • We (our FB page and this website) are not an immigration service and can only advise you where to get the official information.
  • You are not allowed to work in Germany if it is not explicitly stated on your residence permit

New Skilled immigration Act – Changes will be implemented in phases, in November 2023, March 2024 and June 2024. 
Detail about the changes can be found on the Make it in Germany website

Here is a link to the official Information about the Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz (Skilled Immigration Act). Currently it is only available in German.
The latest information in English can be found Anerkennung-in-deutschland website  and Make it in Germany website

Your options for living long term in Germany

1. Employment

Below you will find pages where you can find more information about finding a job in Germany. There are some professions in demand with relaxed entry requirements, read more on Make in it in Germany. There are different Employment visas available, for example:

Info about in demand skilled crafts and trades can be found on the Make it in Germany website

Working in Germany

Working in Germany Everything you need to know about finding work in Germany, what your resume must look like,  recognition of studies, vocational careers, medical, pension and taxes.

3. Training

Are you a South African interested in completing vocational training in Germany? There is a specific visa application process for this. Learn more about it here. We also have a dedicated webpage about the German Vocational Training System. 

The German Vocational Training System

An Ausbildung is a form of vocational training or apprenticeship where a student attends school and works simultaneously. The student gains both theoretical and practical knowledge at the same time.The training usually starts in September every year, but can start at other times as well.

5. Study

Are you interested in studying in Germany? You can enrol at a University or Hochschule (Technical University). 

Study in Germany

Types of learning institutions Hochschule is the name for higher education. Under this, you can get the following institutions.  Fachhochschule – University of applied sciences.  Technische University – Technical University  University – for academics. They offer doctoral and research programs Hochschule does not mean “Hoërskool”

7. Chancenkarte

The Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) is a points-based immigration system introduced by Germany to attract skilled workers from non-EU countries. The Chancenkarte allows individuals to live in Germany while they search for a job, providing up to six months to secure employment.

Jobseekers visa (Chancenkarte)

Chancenkarte Germany, with its robust economy, rich cultural heritage, and world-renowned education system, has become an increasingly attractive destination for professionals from around the globe. For South Africans seeking to build a new life in Europe, the Chancenkarte, or “Opportunity Card,” offers a promising pathway What is the Chancenkarte? The

9. Freelance or Self employment

Are you considering Self-employment in Germany? You can find comprehensive information about the visa process for Self-employment in Germany here.

Freelancing in Germany

You can set up your own business in two ways, one is to work as a freelancer or as a self-employed entrepreneur (Gewerbe).  If you want to work as a freelancer in Germany, you will need to apply for a Residence permit for the purpose of freelance employment.

11. Language Teachers

Under certain conditions, you may be granted access to the German labour market as a language teacher. You can either be employed at a school or work as a freelancer. 
Read more on the Make it in Germany website

2. Au Pair

Aupair in Germany

Au Pair in Germany Au Pair is by definition a young foreign person, typically a woman, who helps with childcare and childcare-related housework in exchange for food, a room and some pocket money.  Young men can also apply for Au Pair positions

4. Language Course

Enrol in a German language course. 

Study German in Germany

You can apply to study German in Germany. For this, you need to apply for a Long Term Visa National Visa. Take note that the procedure is different from that of a tourist visa. 

6. Family reunification

Join your family in Germany

Family Reunification Visa

“German citizens or citizens from non-EU countries who have an Aufenthaltserlaubnis (residence permit) or a Niederlassungserlaubnis (settlement permit) are allowed to bring their relatives to Germany. This is known as the ‘reunification

8. Recognition of qualifications

According to Section 16d AufenthG (German Residence Act) –  “For the purpose of recognising professional qualifications which a foreigner has acquired abroad, a foreigner is to be granted a temporary residence permit to undertake a qualification measure and to take a subsequent examination, if a body responsible according to federal or Länder regulations regarding recognition of professional qualifications has determined that adaptation or compensation measures or further qualifications are necessary”. Read more on the Make it in Germany website

10. Visa for research

According to Section 18d AufenthG (German Residence Act) –  You can apply for a visa for research in Germany. Read more on the Make it in Germany website

12. Volunteering

People from 3rd world countries can apply to do volunteer service in Germany. 
There are four types of Voluntary services in Germany, that you can apply for. They are Federal Voluntary Service (BFD), Voluntary Social Year (FSJ), Voluntary Ecological Year (FÖJ), European Voluntary Service (EVS)

Volunteering

People from 3rd world countries can apply to do volunteer service in Germany. There are four types of Voluntary services in Germany, that you can apply for, they are: Federal Voluntary Service (BFD), Voluntary Social Year (FSJ), Voluntary Ecological Year (FÖJ), European Voluntary Service (EVS) Before you can apply for a visa, you will need a Contract/Arrangement for your voluntary service in Germany.

13. Artists

Working in the creative field. You can apply for a visa to work as an artist

14. Professional Drivers

As a professional driver of heavy goods vehicles (HGV) or buses, you have good chance of finding a suitable job in Germany

15. Professional athletes and coaches

The German labour market is also open to professional athletes from abroad

Hotline Working and Living in Germany

The  BAMF (Federal office for migration) hotline offers personalised information and advice, in German or English, on the following topics:

Job search, work and careers
Recognition of foreign vocational qualifications
Entry and residence
Learning German

The hotline is available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CET, Monday through Friday,

Website

Visit the BAMF website for more information. There is an option to contact them via an online form on their website

Hotline

+49 3018151111

The best websites for finding information

  • Make it in Germany
  • The German Embassy in South Africa
  • The BAMF (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge) or in Eglish The Federal office for Migration and Refugees, website
  • Facts about Germany – The Skilled Immigration Act makes it easier for qualified foreigners to enter the German labour market
  • The state of Baden-Württemberg has a How to Relocate to The Länd website
  • Gesetz über den Aufenthalt, die Erwerbstätigkeit und die Integration von Ausländern im Bundesgebiet1) (Aufenthaltsgesetz – AufenthG)

Welcome Centres

If you know in which town you plan to live, you can also contact the Welcome Centre and ask for assistance. Here are some links for the major cities.

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