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Frage

I am a Mechanical Engineer, having twenty years experience in inspecting the mechanical static and rotary equipment in the Middle East. My nationality is Indian. Kindly help me, how to apply for freelancer visa.

Antwort

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 country of residence. 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. If you are going to work as a freelancer (“Freiberufler”) please check among other the requirements wishing to set up a freelance business (http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/setting-up-a-business-in-germany/visa-for-self-employment#requirements-for-citizens-of-other-states-wishing-to-set-up-a-freelance-business). Furthermore, 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/requirements-for-an-own-business) and some additional requirements, which you should ideally cover convincingly in your business plan. A Residence permit will cost you a maximum of 140 Euros, while a settlement permit will cost 260 Euros at most. As a rule, the fee for visas is 75 Euros. 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” under the telephone number +49 30 1815 – 1111: http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/about-the-portal/contact/hotline

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

We wish you all the best for your future plans.

Kind regards
Justina Alichniewicz
Projekt „Make it in Germany“
Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln e.V.
September 2017

Notice of the editor:

• English version of the business start-up portal
  
• Germany Trade & Invest: Investment Guide to Germany
• German Federal Central Tax Office: Foreign Investors Help Desk