Immigration Law

Having lived in 10 different countries myself, I find it absolutely normal that people want to move. The world is far too big and beautiful and interesting for us to spend all of our life in the same place.

Thus, I come to immigration law not only as a qualified German lawyer, but as someone with personal experience. I know and understand the challenges of moving to another country or continent. I have to admit that once, I was even an illegal immigrant for a few months.

That’s why I won’t judge you. I am here to help.

Having said that, please keep in mind that I am a lawyer, not an immigration advisor. So, I am not the guy who is going to find you an apartment, a job and a girlfriend. (Heck, I don’t even have one myself.) I am here to sort out the really complicated problems, to sue the German government if they deny your application without proper cause, or to prevent you from being deported. (For all the everyday bureaucratic hassle, there are other people who can help you with that.)

Immigration law is terribly complex and it changes almost every week. In addition to German law, we need to consider European law and international law. That’s why I cannot possibly address all the 73 different types of visas and residence permits here. Especially as there are really arcane categories.

For example the one for foreigners who have been exploited by an employer in Germany, and who are suing for their outstanding salary, if they are also willing to testify for the prosecution (§ 25 IVb AufenthG). Or the one for domestic servants of diplomatic or consular personnel, if they have been with the diplomatic or consular family for at least one year before the move to Germany, and if they are taking care of a child under the age of 16 (§ 19c I AufenthG, § 13 BeschV). And of course for those who are on a mission from God (§ 19c I AufenthG, § 14 Ia BeschV). And then there is the residence permit for au-pairs who cannot take up the job, because they were bitten by the host family’s dog on the day of arrival, but only if they are under the age of 27, have been vaccinated against the rabies, do not have any closer than second-degree relation to the host family, and whose great-grandfather served in the German Army in World War I, but only in an evenly numbered division and not with a rank higher than staff sergeant.

What I want to get across: This area of law is far too complicated for the “just a quick question”- type of consultation. I see so many people mess up their life, because they accept advice from some random dude on Facebook who is as qualified as a cactus. If you do want to get an overview of the different types of visas and residence permits, I recommend the German government’s official website, although even they don’t list all of the options available.

Over the next weeks, or let’s say months, I am going to add information about the most common types of questions. So, it might be worth to check in again later. And of course, you are always welcome to contact me.