On the 18th of November 2023, a series of rule changes came into place across Germany that made the EU Blue Card more accessible to skilled foreign workers. … Read more
Category Archive: Immigration and Visas
#FaxHack – How to light a fire under a German bureaucrat
We were almost crying with laughter when we saw this gem on the auslanderhacks Instagram page: could technology from the 1980s really be the answer to all our first-world third-country problems? Read on to find more about #FaxHack.
Seven Common Mistakes Made at the Ausländerbehörde
We love helping expats from all around the world with their visa appointments – so we’ve gathered 7 common mistakes people make at the Ausländerbehorde/Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA) in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Frankfurt.
Applying for permanent residency in Germany: Brie’s story
Like many things German-bureaucracy related, experiences vary depending on your caseworker, the wind, and the position of the moon divided by your appointment date. Just kidding. Sort of… I’m sharing my timeline and experience to give you a ballpark idea of what to expect.
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Why “Erwerbstätigkeit gestattet” doesn’t always mean you can do whatever you want
Once you’ve been in Germany for a few years, the restrictions imposed on your work permit might melt away with the magic words “Erwerbstätigkeit gestattet” or “Erwerbstätigkeit erlaubt”. But these words can be misleading and have been known to put freelancers in a tight spot. We explain the confusing caveats of “free access to the job market”.
Client Spotlight: Alex Maxwell
Introducing our first star…
Alex Maxwell is up in our new Client Spotlight Series. This series was inspired by the many amazing people our team has had the privilege of working with over the years – it is my absolute pleasure to have Dr. Alex Maxwell as the first!
Wow, where do I even start sharing this amazing human with you? Though her accent will fool you into thinking she’s from the U.S. (yes, I am a U.S. native and saying this with absolutely no pause), Alex is from Russia. After doing some cultural exchange programs in the states, Alex decided at around 20 that she wanted to emigrate.
Six ways to win over German bureaucrats
It’s taken me years, but I’ve finally unlocked the secrets to winning over German bureaucrats, and I’m here to share six of them with you.
Opening a blocked account (Sperrkonto) for the student visa
More bureaucracy for your student visa application? Sperr me! Katie Kruse from Red Tape Translation tells you how to make your rations last when you’re studying in Germany.
Applying for a residence permit without the technical drama
Tired of the constant refreshing of the LEA Berlin website? Seeing site outages almost every day? We’re over it too. Here’s another solution to your problem, even if you’re only here as a tourist.
Getting your qualifications recognised
Looking to boost your chances of finding a job in Germany? Need Germany to recognise your uni degree so you can get a work permit? Be warned, the process is long-winded, expensive and frustrating.
Residence permit holders can get ALGII until the end of 2020 in Berlin
If you’re receiving ALGII benefits and you have a residence permit, you might have been feeling on edge lately as the deadline given by the Berlin foreigner’s office edges closer. You’ll be pleased to read that you can now receive social welfare at leastuntil the end of 2020.
What does Take a Translator look like post-Corona?
The on-site services we’re accustomed to offering at public offices around Germany have changed for the foreseeable future. Read on to find out what it looks like to take a translator to an appointment with you during the Corona pandemic.