The Residence Permit for the Purpose of Self-Employment
Business operators who are from non-EU countries and who manage their company on location in Germany as a self-employed person require a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment (Aufenthaltserlaubnis für selbständige Tätigkeit).
This is generally issued if
an economic interest or a regional need regarding the intended business activity exists,
positive economic consequences are to be expected from the investment project,
the planned investment has secure financing in place.
The local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) individually assesses to what extent these criteria are met. It takes into account the following aspects:
Viability of the underlying business idea
Investor's entrepreneurial experience
Level of capital investment and availability of capital
Effects on the regional employment and (employee) training level
Contribution towards innovation, research and development in Germany
The immigration office consults the local trade office (Gewerbeamt) as well as local trade and business associations, e.g. local Chambers of Industry and Commerce (Industrie- und Handelskammer) or the Chambers of Skilled Crafts (Handwerkskammer).