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There is also the blue card (http://www.bluecard-eu.de/) which is pretty easy and quick to get if you have a university degree and a job-offer.

Bit of a bummer if you are self taught and don't have a degree.

I see the rigid stratification of German education is still in force.

If you don't have a degree you can still get in (not on blue card) but the salary barrier is higher.