Visas for U.S. citizens relocating to Germany

I will be moving to Munich from the USA next year in June or Sept. 2008. This won't be a temporary move, but hopefully a permanent one. My life is a little complicated, mostly because I used to live in Germany 10 years ago as a Fluechtling from war-torn Bosnia. My family and I had the Aufenthaltsgenaehmigung, but after the war ended, Germany sent us home, so we decided to go to the US as our third country. I still have a Bosnian passport (need only to renew it) and when Croatia enters the EU in 2010 (hopefully), I can become a Croatian citizen, and thus work freely throughout the EU. Maybe it's a little more difficult than what I make it sound like, but in the meantime I intend to work in Germany (maybe even study), and was wondering how hard it is to get the Arbeitserlaubnis and Aufenthaltsgenaehmigung as a non-EU citizen? Would it be wise for me to apply for the work/residence permits while I'm still in the US, as opposed to when I enter the country? How about the fact that Germany rejected us as potential citizens in 1997 and that I would like to return there 10 years later?

Maybe I'm just being way too paranoid, but I'm giving myself 1 year to organize this life-changing trip, and I don't want to make any mistakes. Can someone please tell me which documents I need and in what order? Is it a good idea to go to the German consulate in Boston, and already begin the paperwork process?

Thank you so much in advance!!!

If you have any questions about the USA, please let me know and I'll be more than happy to help out!

I don't see a problem with the fact that you once lived in Germany under refugee status unless you lived or worked here illegally, which from your post doesn't seem to be the case. You would be entering as a US citizen, which is a different matter. That said, you already know that it won't be easy to find good employment, maybe your chances are better if you're in IT or engineering. Unfortunately, non-EU citizens cannot do temporary work, which makes it harder. Maybe you could come as a student, I would recommend that over teaching English. From what I have heard and experienced, US qualifications aren't regarded as the equal of German ones, and personnel people are often not yet used to bachelor's degrees. It would help to have a German Masters degree.

Thanks for your input! Coming to Munich as a student is a great option, but I definitely can't afford to study there without having some type of employment. What about the fact that I'm a US citizen wishing to relocate to Munich permanently on the basis that I have family there? Can family members (my aunt and cousins) submit some paperwork to speed up the process? And what would that be called in German? Oh, I just wish things weren't so difficult! I love the German culture and speak the language fluently, surely that is reason enough to let me stay!

Can't they look into it?

I am not sure of all the ins and outs of family reunification here, so I have no idea if those particular relatives can petition for you. What I did to inform myself last year was to read the Aufenthaltsgesetz itself and then interpretations of it. It's a good idea to have your family members check into it for you with the proper Behörde, but since you speak German also go ahead and read the actual text of the law.

Thanks Conquistador - but where can I find the Aufenthaltsgesetz? Any particular website?

Try this, it looks pretty thorough:

http://sadaba.de/GSBT_AufenthG_001_042.html

Searcg Google for "Text Aufenthaltsgesetz"

You may not find a direct answer there, but it is godd to know what it says.

Good luck...

Thank you!! I appreciate your help! If you need any advice from me, please text me. Also, do you mind if I keep you posted on my progress, and ask any other questions?

http://sadaba.de/GSBT_AufenthG_001_042.html

Yeah, sure. I don#t mind helping others out where I can. Send me a PM anytime. By the way, I have been to Bosnia and Croatia couple of times...

Depending on your work experience and background, also put your energy into looking for a job. If successful, the larger companies will take care of your visa application and maybe even contribute towards your relocation costs. That would make the entire move much easier, as you know you will be ok financially.