Registration and Work in Germany Part 1

Its Tuesday. Oli and I went to the registration office today. Online you can read about the process for Americans trying to get visa's, residence permits etc. The first stop they recommend is to go to the registration office and register your address in the town you'll live in. (This process requires you have a friend to host you.) Or at least a place to land, so to speak. After three months I get a letter stating that I can come back to the office and apply for another type of visa that allows me to stay and work/find work. Unless I find a job before that. ( I thought I was applying for a residence permit but I guess this is just the first step in the process.

She seemed pretty interested in the fact that I was a tour guide. She said that less hoops are required to jump through for that reason. I guess communities are trying to increase visitation from outsiders. The lady at the registration office said she'd be my first tour guest for a local walking/wine/food etc tour of Esslingen. She also seemed pretty confident that I'd be filling a niche they had here. That is encouraging! Next stop Tourist Information Office to talk to them about my ideas. Well...really, first step is come up with the ideas. Haha, minor details.
Now to get out and walk walk walk and figure out some ideas. I wonder if that is the case in many places? It seems promising! And they'd be my own too!
I'm including the info I cut and paste from the websites etc.

How to Obtain a German Residence and Work Permit

U.S. Citizen Services in Germany

US citizens in possession of a valid US passport do not need a visa for airport transit, tourist or business trips for stays up to 90 days.

This does not necessarily apply to US residents who hold an Alien Registration Card (green card). They need to check the relevant visa requirements with the authorities of the country of their nationality.

All persons who wish to stay in Germany for more than 90 days are required to obtain a residence permit.

If you intend to stay longer than 90 days, you are required to register at the local Standesamt – Einwohnermeldeamt (Registration Office) within one week of arrival.

Citizens of the United States of America may apply for their residence permit after entering Germany without a visa. Alternatively they can apply for a residence permit prior to entry at the German Embassy in Washington or at a German Consulate (currently located in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York or San Francisco). Inquiries may be made at the German Embassy athttp://www.germany.info

Studying in Germany

All persons who wish to study at a high school, college or university in Germany are required to obtain a residence permit. Citizens of the United States of America may apply for their residence permit after entering Germany without a visa. Alternatively they can apply for a residence permit prior to entry at the German Embassy in Washington or at a German Consulate (currently located in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York or San Francisco). Inquiries may be made at the German Embassy at http://www.germany.info

Employment in Germany

All persons who wish to seek gainful employment in Germany are required to obtain a residence permit in the form of a visa. The residence permit ("Aufenthaltserlaubnis") only allows you to take up gainful employment (employee or self-employment) if the residence permitexpressly entitles you to do this. Alternatively they can apply for a residence permit prior to entry at the German Embassy in Washington or at a German Consulate (currently located in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York or San Francisco). Inquiries may be made at the German Embassy at http://www.germany.info

Once in Germany, the following procedure generally applies for job seekers:

Once you have an offer of employment and have registered your residence,

1.          go to the Ausländerbehörde (Immigration Office).

·                 Check with your local Einwohnermeldeamt or Rathaus for the exact address and office hours of the Ausländerbehörde in your city.

2.          They will check whether the general legal prerequisites are fulfilled for issuing an "Aufenthaltserlaubnis". If these are fulfilled,

·                 the immigration authorities request approval from the "Bundesagentur für Arbeit" (Federal Employment Agency) for taking up employment in a particular job for which you are applying.

·                 Approval is only given if the job cannot be filled by a German, EU citizen or other applicants given preferential treatment (e.g. third-country nationals who have been living in Germany for a longer period of time). This is known as the Priority Principle ("Vorrangprinzip"). After a specific period of time has lapsed, it is possible for the U.S. citizen applicant to have the same access to the labor market as German and EU citizens.

Detailed information on the various residence categories is available at Bundesministerium des Innern under: Residence Permits