If you intend to stay in Germany for more than 90 days, you have to apply for a residence visa. This type of visa has to be applied for if, for example, you are interested to work or study in Germany or if you would like to permanently join your spouse in Germany.

Citizens of Japan, Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland, the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as well as EU citizens may apply for their residence permit after entering Germany without a visa. Please note that you can take up your studies immediately upon entering.

Citizens of other countries are required to apply and obtain a residence permit prior to entry (an option also open to Japanese citizens) at the German Embassy or the German Consulate.

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If you would like to apply for a Long-term / Residence Visa – please be informed that at the German Embassy Tokyo and the Consulate General Osaka-Kobe you can now submit your visa application online to have it checked in advance to ensure that your file is complete.

You find following categories in the Consular Services Portal of the Federal Foreign Office to apply for a visa:

• Blue Card (EU) - § 18 g AufenthG /Residence Act
• Employment - § 18 b AufenthG/Residence Act (taking up employment as highly skilled worker with university degree)
• Employment - § 18a AufenthG/Residence Act (taking up employment as a skilled worker with professional training)
• Employment § 6 BeschV (taking up employment with work experience related to your qualifications, having a recognized degree)
• Opportunity Card / Chancenkarte - § 20a AufenthG/Residence Act
  
• Study and Search for a place to study - § 16b AufenthG/Residence Act
  
• Family reunification (to spouse, child)

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Who else can apply via the Consular Services Portal at the Embassy in Tokyo or the Consulate General Osaka-Kobe even if the category is not especially mentioned?

At the Embassy in Tokyo and at the Consulate General in Osaka-Kobe we accept the application for all kind of employment categories as well via the consular service portal, for example for employment § 19 AufenthG (purpose of „ICT“), Employment § 19c AufenthG in conjunction with § 26 (1) BeschV, Employment§ 19c AufenthG in conjunction § 10 BeschV, and more. And as well for Research activity with hosting agreement§ 18d AufenthG.

Please note, that the documents for these categories you have to upload in the category „Taking up employment with work experience“.

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Please upload the documents according to our webpage:

Please upload the declaration of employment under the „Proof of professional experience“ section.

As „other documents“, please upload the employer's letter regarding the secondment agreement and the legal basis (AufenhtG/BeschV) your application should be processed, as well as your CV, and if applicable pre-approval of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit). Please upload as well proof of valid health insurance upon entry for Germany/Schengen!
If family members will be accompanying: additional a written declaration regarding the data of the family members.

Please make sure to upload the documents with the correct description and use „other documents“ if there is no description available. And upload only the documents according to our webpage!

Family members must upload a separate application via the consular services portal in the category „Joining a Spouse“ or „Children joining parents“ section.

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What happens after uploading the documents?

After uploading your documents online, they are examined for completeness by the competent German mission, which will inform you once the pre-examination is successfully completed so that you will get a link to book your in-person appointment. In this way, you will be optimally prepared for the in-person appointment at the German mission in Japan in whose jurisdiction you reside. During your appointment you need to provide your biometric data (fingerprints and photo), as well as certain documents in their original form as well pay the visa fee.

Where do I find more information?

In order to submit your application online for pre-examination, please visit the Consular Services Portal, where you find detailed information on the necessary steps and documents.

Please be informed that the Consular Services Portal at the moment is accessible in German and English.
All further information regarding the process will be explained on the consular services portal!
Please read thoroughly!