Arrival and Residency

Arrival and residency in Germany for Indian citizens

As a rule, Indian citizens need a visa to enter Germany, and they need a valid residence permit in order to remain in the country for a longer period of time. Make sure to contact the German diplomatic mission in India responsible for your region well before your planned trip to find out what kind of visa you will need for your stay in Germany.
If you plan to stay in Germany for longer than three months, you will have to contact the Ausländerbehörde (Immigration Office) responsible for your region in Germany in order to apply for a residence permit once you have entered the country.

Applying for a residence permit in Düsseldorf

  1. Register your place of residence
    Register your place of residence at your local Einwohnermeldeamt (Registry Office, German only). To do so, you will need a confirmation from your landlord known as a ‘Wohnungsgeberbestätigung’.
  2. Submit your documents
    Submit the required documents to the Ausländerbehörde responsible for your area. You can find a list of the required documents and information on the application process on the website of the Ausländerbehörde responsible for your area (Düsseldorf, for example; German only).
Note:
Applying for a visa and residence permit may take some time. We recommend familiarising yourself with the requirements and exploring available appointments as early as possible.