I'm a recent CS grad from a non-EU country. I just started a remote contract for a Berlin based software firm. They cannot help me re-locate as they are very new and have not raised funds yet. I'm supposed to work from my home country. It's been 2 months at this job. I also got admission at 3 universities in Germany (starting winter 2020 semester).

The company is ready to turn this into a part-time job if I come study in Germany. However, they cannot hire me full-time and pay me enough for a EU blue card.

My goal is to work in Berlin as a software developer and earn atleast 45K EUR / yr.

There are two options:

1. Continue working at the current company for a few years, build experience. On the side, keep applying to Berlin jobs online (while sitting in my home country).

2. Study masters at a German university for 2 years (starting Oct 2020). After graduating, look for jobs in Berlin. While studying masters, continue working at the current company as a part-time employee.

What would be a better route?

Does being physically present in Berlin increase the chances of getting a job compared to applying from abroad? Are the increased chances from physical presence worth spending 2 years at a university?