For most foreign nationals, visas have to be obtained prior to entering Germany in their respective home country. The German emabassies or German consulates are responsible for receiving applications and issuing the visa. They provide visa application forms in various languages free of charge.
It is also possible to download visa application forms in different languages for free from the website of the German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt).
Applications for a Schengen visa may also be...

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic Germany has temporarily introduced travel restrictions and border controls. For latest information please refer to our special website Corona Crisis and Germany.

When applying for a visa, foreign nationals are obligated to prove that they have:
a passport valid for another three months after leaving Germany
documents verifying the intended purpose of the stay in Germany
a health insurance policy valid for all Schengen states providing medical coverage equivalent to the value of at least EUR 30,000 (including return transportation)
sufficient financial means to cover all costs of the trip to and stay in Germany
For detailed information on visa regulations...

A residence permit for the purpose of self-employment is limited to a maximum of three years.
If the investment project is successful (and success and subsistence appear to be secure over the long term), after three years it is possible to apply for a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis).
A settlement permit is unrestricted in time and place and automatically includes the right to take up gainful employment.

Business operators who are from non-EU countries and who manage their company on location in Germany as a self-employed person require a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment (Aufenthaltserlaubnis für selbständige Tätigkeit).
This is generally issued if
an economic interest or a regional need regarding the intended business activity exists,
positive economic consequences are to be expected from the investment project,
the planned investment has secure financing in place.
The local...

For non-EU nationals a Schengen visa is generally sufficient for most steps which are required to establish a business in Germany (usually called a business visa in this context).
A Schengen visa permits a 90-day stay in Germany (in any 180-day period), during which all of the key business formation steps can be carried out. These include:
The conclusion and notarization of the articles of association
Application for entry in the commercial register (Handelsregister) through a German notary
Trade...

Schengen visa applicants (business visa applicants) will usually be asked to present certain documentation such as:
a letter of invitation by the German business partner
documentation of employment and salary certificate
a letter from the applicant’s employer confirming the business purpose of the trip
proof of travel health insurance
Where the entrepreneur personally applies for a Schengen visa (or business visa), documents such as a copy of the foreign company's entry in the foreign commercial...

Citizens of non-EU countries generally require a visa to enter, stay, and work in Germany.
For short-term stays in Germany (stays not exceeding 90 days within any 180-day period) a Schengen visa is needed for entry into Germany. A Schengen visa is generally sufficient for most steps required to establish a business in Germany.
Is the duration of the stay exceeding 90 days (within any 180-day period) or is a (self-employed or gainful) occupation taken up, all non-EU citizens require a residence permit...