What types of residence permits are there in Germany?

Foreigners must have some type of residence permit in order to enter and stay in Germany. The Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz, AufenthG) provides for seven different types of residence permits: temporary residence permits, EU Blue Cards, ICT Cards, Mobile ICT Cards, permanent settlement permits, EU long-term residence permits, and visas. 

Temporary residence permits, EU Blue Cards, ICT Cards, Mobile ICT Cards and visas are issued for a limited period of time. Permanent settlement permits and EU long-term residence permits do not have a date of expiry. The main difference between a permanent settlement permit and an EU long-term residence permit is that the latter includes the right to live in an EU member state other than Germany. Third-country nationals who have one of these types of residence permits are entitled to pursue employment or self-employment if the Residence Act or the residence permit specifically allows it.