I am from Bangladesh. I just finished my studies. I want to do online-business with Amazon and also want to work as an agent seller for a Bangladeshi company. Which kind of visa do I need to start the business? Or is my job searching visa allowed me to do that?
Thank you for your inquiry and your interest in setting up a business in Germany. Make it in Germany provides international professionals with information on working and living in Germany.
As a citizen of Bangladesh, 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”). If you are not yet living in Germany, you need to apply for a visa for the purpose of self-employed occupation at the German mission in your home country. You can find the corresponding local contact on our “world map”. General information on visa processes are available on “Make it in Germany”.
Generally, there are several criteria which need to be fulfilled. This depends on whether you work as
Being self-employed or a freelancer makes a difference with regard to certain formalities and has an impact on your company’s legal structure. Find out more about the two different ways of setting up a business.
To obtain a residence permit, you will need to fulfill a number of general criteria and the following additional requirements, which you should ideally cover convincingly in your business plan.
Moreover, to work as a self-employed professional the same conditions apply as for Germans. Please find out about these regulations.
For personal advice regarding visa issues, you can also contact the Hotline “Working and Living in Germany” under the telephone number +49 30 1815 – 1111.
Keep in mind, as you are operating in Germany, a good command of the German language is important. When preparing to set up your business, you will learn that many official documents are available in German only. If your German is not good enough yet, you should take a language course before you set up your business. Some advanced courses have a focus on business German.
For further Information regarding setting up a business in Germany, please visit the Website "Make it in Germany".
* Please note that “Make it in Germany” do not issue or support any visa application even if you may be qualified for that. The information presented on “Make it in Germany” is a general service offering. Only the German missions and the foreigners’ authorities are responsible for the issuance of visa resp. residence permits. For further questions, please contact directly the respective authority.
Reference: Justina Godesberg
Projekt „Make it in Germany“
Internet: www.make-it-in-germany.com
Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln e.V.
Februar 2020
