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Regarding Freelance visas, some countries (e.g. Germany [1]) require you to have local clients. So not an option for self-employed/indies. Would be nice to have
by zerr 5y ago
Regarding Freelance visas, some countries (e.g. Germany [1]) require you to have local clients. So not an option for self-employed/indies. Would be nice to have similar info about countries that doesn't require you to work for someone else.
EDIT: 1. https://allaboutberlin.com/guides/how-to-get-a-german-freelance-visa#:~:text=If%20you%20don't%20have,who%20want%20to%20hire%20you https://allaboutberlin.com/guides/how-to-get-a-german-freela....
- bravura 5y agoActually, Germany only requires non-binding letters of intent from potential clients, upon which they extrapolate your income, which they want to be above the poverty line (1500 EUR a month in Germany, IIRC). Sources: Many friends getting freelance visas, a visa lawyer.
- nicbou 5y agoI wrote the guide linked above. You are right, but when it's time to renew your visa, they aren't so lenient. You can also get a shorter visa if your case isn't compelling enough.
- drusepth 5y agoThe Germany Freelance Visa link lists you having an address in Germany as one of the requirements, though. I'm not sure if that's an existing address or just a general "you have to stay somewhere and not be homeless".
- svnsch 5y agoThat's a valid point. I need to adjust that. Thanks!
- bko 5y agoI'm sure a lot of people look up their home countries or countries which they are familiar with. You may want to consider a simple form where people can issue corrections that get emailed to you. Essentially crowdsource data.
- svnsch 5y agoThats a good idea!
- nicbou 5y agoGive that linked guide a good read. You can actually get the visa without local clients, but you can't get it renewed.
- jacquesm 5y agoThis is to the best of my knowledge incorrect. I know more than one person that came to Germany as self employed without having customers prior to immigration.
- jamil7 5y agoI don't know about that exact rule (most of my clients are not German). Honestly in my experience of living here and freelancing on this visa a lot of these requirements seem to be up to the discretion of the person doing the interview / checking your documents. Edit: See here https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_aufenthg/englisch_aufenthg.html#p0624 https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_aufenthg/englisc... (1) A foreigner may be granted a temporary residence permit for the purpose of self-employment if 1. an economic interest or a regional need applies, 2. the activity is expected to have positive effects on the economy and 3. personal capital on the part of the foreigner or a loan undertaking is available to realise the business idea.
- nicbou 5y agoI can confirm. I wrote the guide above and spend a lot of time dealing with the immigration office. They're a real box of chocolates, and some are filled with raisins.