From Russia to Berlin: work, train or study

The work, study and family routes, the visa process at the Embassy in Moscow, applying from a third country, money transfers under EU sanctions, documents, recognition, Russian exit and military-service rules, and how to avoid agencies that sell what is free. Every statement is tied to an official source. Free, independent, no agency.

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Guide

🧭Which route fits me?Skilled work, IT, Opportunity Card, Ausbildung, study or family: a short decision guide. 🛂Leaving Russia: exit, military service, second citizenshipWhat the Federal Foreign Office says on exit and dual nationals, and what is not confirmed here. 🏛️Visa application at the Embassy in MoscowCentralised processing, appointments, VisaMetric, fees, processing time, refusal. 🌍Applying from a third country (Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Türkiye)What is confirmed about where Russians living abroad can apply, and what is not. 💶Money and EU sanctionsBlocked account, transfers, the EUR 100,000 deposit cap, cash and cars: what the sources say. 💼Route: skilled worker, IT and EU Blue CardBlue Card, IT specialists without a degree, skilled-worker permits, salary thresholds 2026. 🃏Route: Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)Points, money, work rights and limits of the card (§§ 20a, 20b AufenthG). 🔧Route: vocational training (Ausbildung)Requirements, German level, money, pay – and why this route attracts scams. 📚Route: studying in BerlinStudy visa (§ 16b), money, work while studying, study-applicant visa (§ 17). 🏫Admission with Russian certificatesAttestat, Studienkolleg, Master applications, anabin and uni-assist. 💬Learning GermanWhere to learn, which certificates count, and the level each route needs. 🎓Recognition of your qualificationanabin, the ZAB statement and which body decides, for Russian degrees. 👪Route: joining family in GermanySpouse, child and parent reunification: German A1, exceptions, who sponsors. 🧳Other routes: self-employment and humanitarian admissionA short note on § 21 AufenthG and on § 22 sentence 2 AufenthG, with sources. 📄Documents from RussiaApostille, translations, which papers you usually need. 🏠After arrival in BerlinAddress registration, bank account, health insurance, residence permit – in that order. 🤝Find your community in BerlinFree advice in Russian, associations, children, doctors and job search: checked, independent offers only. 🧭Already in Berlin?Changing status, staying long term, citizenship and free help. 💶Costs at a glanceFees, salary thresholds and money you must show, by route (2026). ⚠️Avoiding scams and fake agentsWhat the Embassy in Moscow says about agencies, fake websites, fake jobs and crypto 'blocked accounts'.