Why We Chose Germany for Immigration Over Other Countries

Many people have asked me privately, “If finding an IT job is challenging in the USA, why didn’t you all just tough it out and move to Germany?” Before making a decision to immigrate, like most families, we compared various options: Canada, the USA, Ireland, and the comfortable familiarity of Japan.

Why Not Canada?

Initially, Canada was our top choice. A significant reason was my sister residing there with a spacious house that was always open to us. The situation took a dramatic turn when I attempted to apply for a tourist visa to visit her. The agency refunded my fees, advising me against the trip due to our complicated background. The answer was simple: lacking a clean record.

To elaborate, due to my status and not having a U.S. visa, it became nearly impossible to obtain a Canadian tourist visa, leading to exhaustive waiting times. If a tourist visa is this tricky, who knows how long Permanent Residency (PR) would take, accompanied by endless background checks? The world often feels like a hectic circus.

Why Not the USA?

For us, the American Dream wasn’t quite a fit. The long wait for employment-based immigration felt uncertain, and we did not want our children to grow up with a “temporary status.” My daughter is already 16, and time isn’t on our side. Then there was the harsh reality of educational costs: elite private high schools in the U.S. charge between $50,000 to $80,000 yearly, with Ivy League universities exceeding $80,000 annually. This is a significant burden that many ordinary families cannot manage.

In contrast, Germany offers free tuition for public university students, and if my daughter dreams of studying design in France, she can enroll as an EU student for little to no cost. The options for her future are abundant.

Why Not Japan?

Japan could have been an easy choice for our family due to its low-risk environment. My daughter is fluent in Japanese from her childhood, making it easier for her to pick the language back up than learning German. However, my feelings towards Japan are complicated—a mix of love and frustration—that I will elaborate on in a future post.

Ultimately Choosing Germany

Germany may not be “perfect,” but it’s the best fit for us, aligning perfectly with our core needs:

• Free Education: Our children can receive rigorous academic training with diverse career pathways.
• Clear Immigration Policies: The EU Blue Card and permanent residency paths are straightforward, allowing application for permanent residency after completing Level B1 in German within 21 months.
• Living Costs: Housing prices and general expenses are relatively reasonable, akin to shopping costs back home.
• Social Safety: Though safety levels in our home country exceed German standards, we chose a relatively peaceful city with a large international student presence, a welcoming environment for families.
• Geographic Location: Situated in Europe, Germany boasts a rich cultural landscape and affordable travel options across the continent.

The downsides of Germany are clear—German is a challenging language to learn, and bureaucratic processes can be slow. But immigrating isn’t about “escaping”; it’s about “choosing.” It’s not that Germany is “better” than China, but it aligns more closely with our current expectations regarding education, lifestyle, and future aspirations.

Reflecting on Immigration Choices

If you, too, grapple with the question of which country to immigrate to, consider asking yourself, “What do I want my family’s life to look like in ten years?” The answer may bring clarity to your decision.

#GermanyBlueCard #BraveNewGermany #NewImmigrants #ExperiencedProgrammers #CareerDevelopment #ChooseADifferentLife #WomenEmpowerment #YouthEducation