Germany Expat Forum

kwaaikat
Joined 2017
Posts: 2

7 years ago

Freelance Visa

7 years ago

I am an IT (BI) consultant, running a one man business (essentially freelancing) in South Africa, with some international clients who I visit from time to time.

I am looking at transferring the business to Germany, as I would be able to keep some clients, serve others (like the one in Austria) better, and run up new ones in Germany. Reason I mention that, is that I think I would be able to write a believable business plan. My Austrian client orders and invoice would also give proof of the rates I could demand in Germany.

I speak and write German reasonably well (and improving).

I am interested in the freelance visa.

I have read about the requirements. I can arrange a lease through a friend who would let me bypass the catch 22's (such as German credit record).

My main question. Is registering as a resident still a requirement if I apply outside Germany?

Else would it be worth it to visit Germany on a long term tourist visa (which I have) to sort it all out? Or is it better to apply outside of Germany. How do I then handle the residence requirement of the checklist?

I am in no particular hurry. I would not wait out approval in Germany, I'd rather stay in South Africa during that time to attend to current business, but I do not mind flying back and forth.

I can work either freelance or as a one man company. Obviously I'll go with what works in Germany for my situation when I have the visa.

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