Immigration consultants for Germany: who can advise you

If you are planning to move to Germany for work, study, family reunion or asylum, you do not have to use an immigration consultant. The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) publishes the official requirements for every residence route, and you can apply directly. If you do choose an adviser, the safest starting point is to check whether they are a regulated legal professional or a recognised adviser, and to verify every claim they make against the official BAMF pages before you pay.

What the official source actually covers

The BAMF page on migration and residence is an overview, not a list of approved consultants. It sets out the categories of people who may come to Germany — immigrants from the European Union, immigrants from third countries, Jewish immigrants and ethnic German resettlers — and it links to the detailed rules for each group. It also links to the Skilled Immigration Act for qualified professionals and to FAQs on the ICT Directive, the REST Directive and the recognition of foreign professional qualifications.

What the page does not do is name, rank or endorse any private adviser. There is no official register of immigration consultants on that page. That means you cannot look up a consultant there, and you should be cautious of anyone who implies that BAMF has approved them.

Who is legally allowed to advise on German immigration

The official guidance does not list the professions that may give immigration advice in Germany. It does, however, make clear that the BAMF is the authority responsible for migration and residence, and that the requirements for living in Germany are set out in law and in official guidance. In practice, immigration advice in Germany is generally given by lawyers (Rechtsanwälte) who specialise in foreign nationals law, and by recognised advisory bodies that are funded by the state. The BAMF page does not name these bodies, so you should confirm the adviser’s legal status directly with them and, where relevant, with the relevant German bar association or funding body.

What to check before you pay any adviser

Because the BAMF page does not certify consultants, you should treat any adviser as unverified until you have checked them yourself. Ask for the following, in writing:

• Their full legal name and the name of the firm or organisation.
• Their professional qualification and, if they are a lawyer, their bar registration number.
• A written quote that states the exact services and the total fee.
• A written statement of which residence route they are advising on.

Then compare their advice directly against the official BAMF pages for that route. The BAMF page on migration and residence is the entry point; from there you can reach the specific rules for EU citizens, third-country nationals, Jewish immigrants and ethnic German resettlers, as well as the Skilled Immigration Act pages.

What the official pages can tell you

The BAMF overview links to several specific resources that are useful whether or not you use an adviser:

Resource	What it covers
Immigrants from the European Union	Rules for EU citizens moving to Germany
Immigrants from third countries	Rules for non-EU nationals
Jewish immigrants	Requirements for Jewish immigration
Ethnic German resettlers	Rules for resettlers and their families
Skilled Immigration Act for qualified professionals	Work routes for skilled workers
FAQs on the ICT Directive	Intra-corporate transfer rules
FAQs on the REST Directive	Rules for researchers, students and trainees
FAQs on recognition of foreign professional qualifications	How to get your qualifications recognised

These pages are the factual basis for any advice you receive. If an adviser tells you something that contradicts the official page, the official page is the one to trust.

Red flags in immigration advice

The official guidance does not describe specific scams, but it does establish a clear principle: the official requirements are published and free. That gives you a simple test. Be wary of any adviser who:

• Claims to have a special relationship with BAMF or with German embassies.
• Guarantees a visa or residence permit outcome.
• Asks for payment before providing a written service description.
• Refuses to let you verify their claims against the official pages.
• Advises you to omit information from your application.

None of these behaviours are described in the official guidance, but none of them are consistent with the transparency of the official process either.

How to use the official pages yourself

You do not need an adviser to find out the basic requirements. Start at the BAMF migration and residence page and select the category that applies to you. If you are a third-country national, read the rules for third-country immigrants. If you are coming for work, read the Skilled Immigration Act pages. If you are joining family, read the family reunion rules under the relevant category.

If your qualifications are from outside Germany, read the FAQ on recognition of foreign professional qualifications. That page will tell you whether your qualification needs to be recognised and how to start that process.

The official pages will tell you what documents you need, what conditions you must meet and how to apply. They will not tell you which consultant to use, because there is no official list.

What to do next

1. Read the BAMF migration and residence page and identify your category.
2. Read the specific rules for that category, including the Skilled Immigration Act pages if you are coming for work.
3. If you decide to use an adviser, ask for their professional details and a written quote.
4. Check their advice against the official pages before you sign anything.
5. If you are unsure whether an adviser is legally qualified, ask them directly and verify with the relevant German professional body.

The official BAMF page is the only source you need to confirm the requirements. It is not a list of approved advisers, and no adviser is endorsed there.