Permanent residence in Germany can be obtained on one of the following grounds: Jewish or German origin, as well as long-term residence in the country on a national visa. In order to apply for permanent residence, you will need some documents.
Emigration based on ethnicity
You will need a foreign passport with a German visa. An exception is made only for those who have German or Jewish roots: these people do not have to come to Germany, the process of repatriation or obtaining a residence permit can be started in Russia. A passport is still needed, but a German visa is optional.
If you have German roots or relatives in Germany, then you need to prove this with documents. Provide birth certificates and German ties from all German relatives. The easiest way to get a residence permit is for those who have at least one of the parents who are ethnic Germans.
Another type of moving on a national basis is the presence of Jewish relatives. You will need birth certificates, birth certificates, passports indicating nationality and other documents proving your Jewish origin. It is also easiest to move here if you are first-generation relatives. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren have much less chance of obtaining a residence permit based on ethnicity.
Other types of emigration
All other types of emigration assume that you have already lived in the country for some time on a national visa. You must provide documents confirming the legality of your previous stay, as well as the purpose. For students, these can be documents from a German university or college. If you are just getting a national visa for study, you will need an invitation from an educational institution.
You almost always need to provide an account statement confirming that you have sufficient funds to live in Germany. This is relevant both for students and for those who move to the country for work: some funds are needed for the first time. Students are first issued a study visa, after which they can apply for a residence permit or work visa.
If you marry a German citizen, then for the first few years you can get a residence permit on this basis. For this method, you will need all documents confirming the fact of marriage. A residence permit is issued for up to three years, during which additional checks are possible. After three years, if the marriage has not broken up, you can apply for citizenship.
For those who make a residence permit on a business visa, you will need a business plan of the company in German, an agreement on creating a business, as well as all kinds of documents confirming the fact that you are competent in this matter. You also need to confirm that you have enough funds to start a business: you will need an account statement.
Those who work in Germany, for a residence permit, must demonstrate a work contract, prepare a work visa, show recommendations from the employer and other documents confirming the fact of employment in Germany.
There is also a refugee program. To obtain a residence permit for it, you need to document the fact of oppression on a national, political, gender, sexual or religious basis.
