If you have been a German resident for a certain period of time, then you may be eligible to apply for German citizenship. Once a residence permit has been granted, your spouse is immediately entitled to take up any kind of employment in Germany. At first, you’re given a temporary residence permit and after you must have lived with your spouse under the temporary residence permit for 3 years, you can apply for a permanent residence permit in Germany. A permanent residence permit allows individuals to stay in Germany for an unspecified period. During this time, the spouse can apply for permits that are for employment or study purposes. That means your spouse can obtain permanent residence in the U.S. only after a "visa number" (space for another permanent resident) has become available. Residence permit for spouses and children of skilled workers, students, trainees, scientists and teachers. If you’re the spouse or registered partner, unmarried, minor child of a German citizen, or parent/legal guardian of an unmarried, minor German citizen – and not from the EU/EEA/Switzerland – you will be issued with a residence permit as long as the relation you’re joining is living in Germany. When you have a permanent residence permit, your children and spouse are also eligible. Residence permit for spouses, parents and children of German citizens Spouses arriving in Germany must register their new address at the Einwohnermeldeamt (residents' registration office) and then apply in person for a temporary residence permit for spouses joining their partners. The German language proficiency is mandatory and you will need to know more advanced German. Residence permit for spouses and children of holders of an EU Blue Card. Residence card You must apply for a residence document with the authorities in your host EU country (often the town hall or local police station) within 3 months of arriving. You do not have to provide proof of adequate retirement provision (§§ 28, 35 Residence Act). German Residence Permit Requirements. It is not the same as becoming a German citizen and having a German passport, but it offers much more security than having a Temporary Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis). German Visa and Residence Permit Requirements for US Citizens Der Aufenthaltserlaubnis - Residence Permit The United States of America is one of the nations for which the Federal Republic of Germany has special regulations concerning entry visas and residence permits. German visa for family members of foreign students is a residence permit that entitles your non-EU/EEA family members to come and stay in Germany, while you’re completing a study course on the basis of a German Residence Permit “Aufenthaltserlaubnis for study. Valid passport; Passport-styled photograph; Proof of German proficiency ALSO SEE: How to Immigrate to Germany – with residence permit categories and guidelines. The residence permit will be temporary, but after a few years of marriage (usually 2 years) and time spent in Germany (3 years), the spouse becomes eligible to gain permanent residence. If you live together with a German spouse, child or parent for three years and the familial partnership with the German continues in Germany, you can apply for the settlement permit. Requirements for Residence Permit in Germany. If you are a lawful permanent resident, your new German spouse becomes a "preference relative," in category F2A. Residence permit for the purpose of attending the Working-Holiday- and Youth Mobility-Programme. If you are staying for longer than 3 months in your spouse's host country, you have to apply for a residence card and report your presence to the relevant authorities. The residence permit will be temporary, but after a few years of marriage (usually 2 years) and time spent in Germany (3 years), the spouse becomes eligible to gain permanent residence. During this time, the spouse can apply for permits that are for employment or study purposes. If you live with your German spouse in Germany, ... You can apply for a permanent residence permit if you have lived in Germany for five consecutive years, or another similar limited permit.