Germany Investor Visa Application Process
The German investor visa is a long-term visa type that allows foreign investors and entrepreneurs to reside in Germany and establish a company or business. The families of German investor visa holders are granted the right to reside in Germany. The German company establishment visa provides foreign investors and their families with the opportunity to benefit from the German education and health system. People who reside in Germany for 8 years with a German investor visa have the right to acquire German citizenship.
What are the Investor Visa Requirements in Germany?
Investor visa requirements in Germany are listed below.
- Foreign investors who will apply for a German investor visa must create a comprehensive business plan that outlines their goals.
- A minimum of 5 new people must be hired for a business or company established in Germany.
- It is expected that the financing required for the business planned to be established in Germany will be provided through equity or loan commitments.
- The business or company intended to be established in Germany must have a positive impact on the German economy and meet economic demand.
- The applicant investor is expected to have sufficient work experience in the relevant field.
- The applicant must not have any criminal history.
What is the Minimum Investment Amount for a Germany Investor Visa?
Although there is no minimum investment amount for the Germany investor visa, it is recommended to invest at least 360,000 Euros in order to meet all the requirements set by the German government.
What are the Required Documents for a Germany Investor Visa?
The documents required for a Germany investor visa are listed below.
- Germany investor visa application form : 2 Germany national visa application forms filled out completely and accurately must be submitted.
- Passport : A valid passport belonging to the applicant and 2 photocopies of the page containing personal information must be submitted.
- Biometric photo : Two biometric photos of the applicant, measuring 35 x 45 millimeters and not older than 6 months, must be submitted.
- CV : A CV of the German investor visa applicant, prepared in German and providing information about the person’s career history, must be added to the visa application file.
- Documents showing professional qualifications and activities : Documents showing the applicant’s professional qualifications and activities, such as school diplomas, work reports, foreign language certificates and copies of trade registry records regarding past professional activities, must be submitted translated into German.
- Germany business plan : A business plan prepared in German must be submitted for the business to be invested in Germany, including information such as its concept, subject, company data, market and competition analysis, marketing strategy, future plans, estimated turnover and income expectations for 3 years, profit and loss account plan and the number of employees or people planned to be employed.
- Company documents : Documents related to the company established in Germany, such as the notarized document showing the establishment of the company, the notarized company agreement, the list of partners and the document showing the amount of the capital invested, must be submitted together with their German translations.
- Financial resources : If the investor visa application is not included in the business plan, the financing plan of the company established in Germany, the capital needs plan, documents such as loan approval or bank statement showing the capital, and documents that prove that at least one year’s living will be covered must be submitted.
- Germany investor visa fee : A receipt showing that the general visa application fee of 75 Euros has been paid must be presented.
How Much Does a Germany Company Establishment Visa Cost?
Germany investor visa fees are given in the table below.
| Services | Fees |
|---|---|
| Germany investor visa fee | 100 EUR |
| Germany investor visa application form and petition filling | 60 EUR, |
| Appointment procedures | Free |
| Biometrics operations | 40 EUR |
| Consulting service | 80 EUR |
| Total | 280 EUR |
How Many Days Does It Take to Get a Germany Visa by Buying a Franchise?
In order to purchase a franchise in Germany, the necessary investment conditions must be met. The Germany investor visa through purchasing a franchise takes an average of 4 to 6 months.
Can I Get a Residence Permit with a Germany Investor Visa?
A residence permit can be obtained with a Germany investor visa. People who invest in Germany and are not citizens of the European Union can obtain a temporary residence permit valid for 3 years if they meet the conditions of being over 18, having valid health insurance, having intermediate knowledge of German and not having a criminal record.
People who have a German residence permit with a German investor visa must visit Germany every 6 months to maintain their permit. A foreign investor with a temporary residence permit in Germany gains the right to apply for a permanent residence permit after 3 years.
Can I Get Citizenship with a Germany Investor Visa?
Citizenship from Germany can be obtained with a German investor visa. German investor visa holders have the right to apply for German citizenship after living in Germany for 8 years without interruption.
In order to obtain German citizenship through investment, investors must meet the following conditions: establish a business that employs at least 5 new people and makes a significant contribution to the German economy, integrate into German society, speak German fluently, and reside in Germany for 8 uninterrupted years.
Can a Germany Investor Visa Holder Bring Their Family With Them?
A German investor visa holder can bring their family to Germany with them. A German investor visa holder can bring their spouse or partner, their dependent children under the age of 18, and their adult children who are financially or health-related to them or their spouse to Germany. Foreign investors and their family members who come to Germany have the right to study or work in Germany and can apply for permanent residence after 5 years.
Can a Student Visa be Converted to an Investor Visa in Germany?
In Germany, a student visa can be converted to an investor visa. If student visa holders meet the German investor visa requirements, such as creating a comprehensive business plan, having sufficient work experience, not having any criminal record, establishing a company that will contribute to the German economy, and having the financial resources to cover the necessary capital, their student visa can be converted to an investor visa.
It is important for students who want to convert their Germany student visa to a Germany investor visa to engage in entrepreneurial activities in Germany during their education, in terms of the experience requirement for the investor visa.