From Ghana to Berlin: work, train, study or join family
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Guide
🧭Which route fits me?A short decision guide for people in Ghana: skilled work, nursing, training, study, family.
🛂Visa and embassyThe German Embassy in Accra, how appointments work, fee, refusal.
🎓Route: skilled worker and Blue CardBlue Card thresholds 2026, § 18a/18b, IT without a degree, settlement, employer fast-track.
🃏Opportunity Card§ 20a AufenthG: up to one year to look for work; points, money, 20 hours a week.
🎨Freelance and self-employed§ 21 AufenthG: freelancers, artists, founders; what the law requires.
🩺Nursing and health professionsRecognition, WHO safeguards list, § 38 BeschV: Ghana and active recruitment.
🧾Recognition of your qualificationanabin, ZAB, and which body decides, by profession.
📚Route: study in Berlin§ 16b permit, blocked account, WASSCE, Studienkolleg, uni-assist.
🛠️Route: vocational training (Ausbildung)§ 16a AufenthG: training contract, B1, money, training pay.
🗣️Learning GermanWhich level you need for which route, and where to start.
👪Route: familySpouses, children and parents: A1 German, document verification, waiting list.
📄Documents and verificationGhana is not in the Apostille Convention; Accra no longer legalises; verification; translations.
🏥Social security and health insuranceNo known agreement with Ghana; mandatory health insurance.
🏠After arrival in BerlinImmigration office, registration, bank, health insurance, driving licence.
🤝Find your communityWhere Ghanaians in Berlin get free advice in English, meet people, find churches, African community spaces, news, German classes, English-German schools and doctors.
📍Already in Berlin?Changing purpose, settlement permit, naturalisation after five years, benefits.
💱Money and transfersCedi and euro, paying the visa fee, blocked account, sending money.
💶Costs at a glanceVisa and permit fees, money to show by route, appeal deadlines.
⚠️Avoiding scamsTypical patterns in Ghana: fake job and care agencies, visa agents, appointment sellers, blocked-account fraud, romance scams.