Federal Republic of Germany
BMI — Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (Germany)
The Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat (BMI) is the German federal ministry that oversees migration, citizenship, and internal security. Operational residence-permit issuance happens at the Länder level through local Ausländerbehörden (Foreigners' Offices), but BMI sets the federal legal framework.
Parent ministry
Federal Government of Germany
Established
1949
Last reviewed
20 April 2026
Scope
- Leads federal policy on migration, integration, and citizenship through the Aufenthaltsgesetz (Residence Act) and its 2023–2024 reforms under the Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz (Skilled Immigration Act).
- Oversees the BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees) on asylum, integration courses, and family reunification matters.
- Coordinates with the Federal Foreign Office on consular D-visa issuance through German missions abroad.
- Publishes the "Make it in Germany" national skills-recruitment portal.
Procedural quirks
- The residence-permit decision is taken locally — different Ausländerbehörden can interpret the same federal rule differently. Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg have the highest volumes; smaller Länder often have faster local turnaround.
- The Blue Card salary thresholds are set annually by BMAS (Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs) based on the federal average salary.
- Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) applicants need a points score of 6 but the card by itself is a job-search residence permit — it only converts to a work residence title once a qualifying offer is signed.
Primary service channels
Routes administered
BMI decides the following Germany visa routes covered on Visa Atlas:
EU Blue Card (Germany)
Work and residence permit for highly qualified non-EU professionals with a qualifying German job offer.
Chancenkarte (Germany Opportunity Card)
Points-based 1-year residence permit that lets non-EU skilled workers from any country move to Germany without a job offer to search for qualifying work. Six points or full qualification recognition required.
Skilled Worker residence permit (§18a/§18b AufenthG)
Sponsored work and residence permit for qualified non-EU workers from any country worldwide who have a German job offer and a recognised qualification.
Recognition Partnership (Anerkennungspartnerschaft)
Residence permit allowing skilled workers to complete their qualification recognition while living and working in Germany.
Freelance / Self-employment residence permit (§21 AufenthG)
Residence permit for self-employed workers and liberal professionals establishing a business in Germany.
Job Seeker visa (§20 AufenthG)
Up to 6-month residence permit for qualified workers to seek employment in Germany (largely superseded by Chancenkarte).
German Student residence permit
Residence permit for international students enrolled at recognised German higher education institutions.
Family reunion residence permit
Residence permit for spouses and children of German residents or citizens.