To Germany..

Was wondering what my options are for becoming a permanent resident of Germany.

I lived/worked for a bit in 2006 (Off VISA), really enjoyed it there..

Im currently a resident of Canada, but since none of my family is here.. I dont really think of it much as a home. My life mostly consists of working.. nothing else.. so id like to try and make Germany a home for myself as thats where my family originally came from.

Unfortunately I have no documents of their existence.

From what ive read, clearly marriage is the easy road..

Other than that, there is a Visa for "Without Job" and one for "With Job".. both a year long, there is also a "Study Visa" which from what ive read, you can take a year "Work Visa" in the field in which you studied. That totals up to almost 4 years.. however for residency its required to be in the country for about 8 years minimum..

Looking at my options is marriage really the only way? and from what I mentioned above.. is that all correct?

I guess the way im looking at it; 1 year without job, 1 3/4 years study + work in field, 1 year with job.. and hope for a marriage?..

Im a 24/M, Ive work in many fields but nothing that could be considered a "skilled field" which if I did have then there is a offer of permanent residence correct?

For schooling my plan is to follow a career in programming with C++, is this something that would fall under a "skilled field"? If I went to school in Germany for this.. would I then be able to apply for this "Permanent Residence" as I would then have a "skilled field"?

If someone could help me out with these questions that would be great as I would rather not contact the embassy with such questions, dont think they would be so willing to give the answers.

Bump!

Anyone here with any kind of answers or something to add to this?

I like life in Germany too mate - we're off there as soon as we can, freaking rat-race here....

Anyway, as ur not EU I can't really help other than have you any UK ancestry? A grandparent or parent?

Thought about WHM visa (commonwealth citz only) or it's replacement, forget it's name but open to any nation (I think)? Not Germany but nearer and makes popping over securing a job easier, it would be impossible from Canada.

Any French ancestry? Remember any EU nationality means Germany is your oyster.

Couple of things we've learned about Germany and the Germans;

1. The legendary German Efficiency is just that - a legend. Nightmare

2. Germany is like the 1970's - no cashback, no banks open when you need them ie lunchtimes/saturdays, variety shows on TV.

3. Sundays are dead zones apart from a few hapless souls wandering around looking for a shop that's open.

4. You need good German. Whilst most will have a go at English to practice on you to get anything done you need to have a high level of German especially when dealing with the incessant bureaucracy. It's also a requirement for residency and again, the level required is very high.

5. PC-ness not really reached Germany yet from what I've seen, still huge adverts for cigarettes everywhere and I've been shown some chocolates with highly-dearly beloved names!

I love it!

The only data i can retrieve in regards to ancestry is a few generations back from France.. but as far as ive heard, theres no way that it could be used to get a French citizenship..