Hello! I’d first like to mention that I’ve searched for various resources regarding this issue and I am aware that it clearly states that South Korean citizens are allowed to apply for a long-term stay permit after their visa-free arrival in Germany:

https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/-/231148

I’m still waiting for confirmation from the embassy where I live and the Bundespolizei in Stuttgart (where I’ll be landing). Yet I’m very anxious as it is my first time traveling alone and I want to make sure I’m not missing any information before I depart. Maybe any of you with the same entry requirements as South Korea can share your experience as well!

So I’ve been invited to a few interviews for an Ausbildung als ZFA. One of the clinics have even accepted me already, albeit without a contract yet, since I still have to go through trial days and they could only start processing the contract after that. So I only have their e-mails and text messages as proof of my purpose of stay.

So here are my questions:

1. With the current regulations, is it true that my Korean passport would be the only “permit” that I need to show?
2. Are printed screenshots of contacting the companies (e-mails and Whatapp messages) sufficient proof for purpose of stay?
3. [This website](https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/etias/) claims that ETIAS would be in effect starting from this year, though other sources say 2023. Have any of you had to apply for this?
4. Since I don’t have a contract yet, should I apply for Ausbildungssuche or wait until after I get the contract to apply for the Ausbildung permit? South Koreans are apparently allowed to apply for the former (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__17.html)

Thank you in advance and do apologize if the questions are repetitive! I just want my travel to Germany to run seamlessly…

3 comments

  1. * Yes citizens of the republic of korea can enter Germany with their passport only, you have to comply with covid regulations though. After you successfully completed your interview, you can go to the Ausländerbehörde and apply for a resident title.
    * You don’t need that, your legally entitled to enter Germany and look for a job/go on a job interview, immigration can’t stop you
    * ETIAS will be in introduced late 2022, no worries

  2. I am concerned about those “trial days” – normally that means you work for a few days. Unfortunately you are not allowed to work without a work permit. You thus cannot do the trial days during your visa-free 90 days.

    I would seek confirmation from the clinic what those “trial days” involve.

  3. So you already found the information that you can enter Germany without a visa on the official website of the German government but now you ask anonymous people on Reddit if that is really accurate? You should trust the official website over us

    Since you are free to enter Germany for 90 days due to your citizenship which you can prove with your passport you do not need any additional “sufficient proof for purpose of stay”. That being said, you can say that you were invited for a job interview.

    Saying that you come to Germany for “work” or “trial work” is not advised since working is not allowed without a work visa.

    3) That website is not an official government website and is full of incorrect information

    3.1) You can apply for a visa for Ausbildungssuche either in South Korea at the German embassy or you can enter Germany and apply for it during the first 90 days at the local town hall. You can also enter Germany first, wait until you have a contract for the Ausbildung, and apply for an Ausbildung visa at your local town hall as long as you apply within the 90 days.

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