I am a citizen of India. I am manufacturer and exporter since 2010 and doing the business in India and on Fiji island. I want to setup a new business in Germany (retail and wholesale). I need some information about a work permit. How long will it take for processing the work permit? What are fees for a work permit? What are required documents for a work permit? Can I apply a residence permit for self-employed work (entrepreneur visa) in Germany or from India?
As a citizen of India, you are subject to the following:
In order to set up a business in Germany, you will need a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment (“Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Ausübung einer selbständigen Tätigkeit”): http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/setting-up-a-business-in-germany/visa-for-self-employment#general-information-on-the-visa-process-for-citizens-of-other-states
If you are not yet living in Germany, you need to apply for a visa for the purpose of self-employed occupation at the competent German Mission in your home country. The corresponding local contact you can find on our “world map” (http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/visa/local-contacts). General information on visa process are available on “Make it in Germany”: http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/visa
Please note that there a several criteria which need to be fulfilled in order to obtain the residence permit for the purpose of self-employment. This depends on whether you work as a freelancer (“Freiberufler”) or set up a business as a self-employed entrepreneur (“Gewerbe”). If you would like to set up a business as a self-employed entrepreneur you will need to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment (http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/setting-up-a-business-in-germany/visa#general-information-on-the-visa-process-for-citizens-of-other-states). To obtain this permit, you will need to fulfil a number of general criteria (http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/setting-up-a-business-in-germany/visa#general-information-on-the-visa-process-for-citizens-of-other-states) and some additional requirements, which you should ideally cover convincingly in your business plan. A residence permit will cost you a maximum of 140 Euro, while a settlement permit will cost 260 Euro at most. As a rule, the fee for visas is 75 Euro. For further questions regarding the visa process, please contact the German Mission in your country of residence - especially for questions concerning the required documents.
For personal advice regarding visa issues, you can also contact the hotline “Working and Living in Germany” (http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/about-the-portal/contact/hotline) under the telephone number +49 30 1815 - 1111.
There are many ways of setting up your business. You can set up a business by yourself, do it in a team up with others or acquire an existing company. Here you will find first information on the different forms of setting up a business: http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/setting-up-a-business-in-germany/ways-of-setting-up-your-business
Furthermore, you will find helpful advices on financing and funding on “Make it in Germany”: http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/setting-up-a-business-in-germany/financing-and-funding
Keep in mind, as you are operating in Germany, a good command of German is important. Even as you prepare your business, you will find that many official documents are available in German only. If your German is not good enough yet, you should make sure to take a language course before you set up your business. Some advanced courses have a special focus on the business world: http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/training-learning/the-german-language
For further Information regarding setting up a business in Germany please visit the Website "Make it in Germany" http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/setting-up-a-business-in-Germany.
Source: Justina Alichniewicz
Economist
Projekt „Make it in Germany“
Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln e.V.
Mai 2018
