A shortcut to Germany: apply for your work visa/blue card through the fast-track procedure (Beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren)
Everyday we receive many questions regarding how to expedite the visa application process to receive a German work visa as quickly as possible.
One solution is to apply through the so-called fast-track procedure (in German: beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren). However while for some cases the fast-track procedure might be beneficial, in many cases we actually recommend applying the regular way.
This article applies to D-Visa (blue card, IT skilled visa, ICT card, regular work permit).
Wondering if the fast-track procedure is for you? Here’s everything you’ll need to know…
The regular procedure
The first option to obtain your German work visa (blue card, regular work permit, IT skilled visa) is to simply book an appointment at your nearest German embassy or consulate. Make sure you book the correct category for your visa type.
Some embassies release appointments regularly and have an automated booking system. If you have difficulties finding an appointment, try looking for open spots during midnight.
Other embassies will contact you via EMail as soon as an open spot is available. Unfortunately it is very difficult knowing how long it will take until you receive an appointment. You can only figure this out by speaking to someone who has experience or went through the process themselves.
For visas for work purposes we have experienced longer waiting times with German embassies in many African countries and in the middle east. Also German embassies in Italy and Spain have been quite slow with releasing new appointments. But keep in mind, the situation can change quickly as it is often based on staff allocation in German embassies.
On the day of the appointment bring all necessary documents with you. An officer will review them. After your appointment, there will be a waiting time of around one month until your visa is issued. This is of course an estimation based on all visa cases we processed and it can vary based on individual circumstances.
In total, the regular procedures take 2-3 months, considering time is not wasted.
The fast-track procedure
The second option is to obtain your German work visa (blue card, regular work permit, IT skilled visa) is by submitting your application at the German foreigners’ hall through the fast-track procedure while still being abroad.
We know that there is a lot of positive news about the famous fast-track procedure online. Many articles claim that the fast-track procedure takes a maximum amount of 6 weeks.
Unfortunately, the promised 6 weeks start after the local foreigners’ hall has seen and decided your case. Most foreigner halls’ are very crowded and it can easily take up to 2 months until they can even start reviewing your application.
In addition, the workload to submit your documents’ through the fast-track procedure is usually a lot higher than applying through the regular procedure. That leads to an additional time of 2-4 weeks until your documents are ready to go. After the foreigner hall has decided your case, you may schedule an appointment at the German embassy and this is the time when the famous 6 weeks start in which they have to issue your visa.
In total, on average the fast-track procedures takes 3-4 months, considering time is not wasted.
How to decide which option is right for me
We find that in many cases the fast-track procedure is actually slower than the regular procedure. This is because the regular procedure will be done through the German embassies, which are less crowded than the German foreigner halls. However, depending on your country of residence or family situation, considering the fast-track procedure might make sense.
Questions to evaluate before applying through the fast-track procedure:
How long is the waiting time for an appointment at the German embassy?
To avoid unnecessary waiting times, it is important to decide upfront which procedure will be quicker in your case. In general we recommend checking the website of the German embassy and making an appointment. If you can find an appointment within one to one and a half months, we would recommend taking the appointment rather than applying through the fast-track procedure. If you cannot find one, consider the fast-track procedure.
2. Where is your employer located?
When doing the fast-track procedure you submit your application in Germany at the foreigners hall via EMail or through a portal. You need to submit it at the place where your employer is located. For example, if your future employer is located in Berlin, you need to submit your documents to the foreigners' hall in Berlin as this will be the responsible governmental entity to process your application.
If your employer is located in a smaller town, chances are high that the people at the foreigners’ hall are not too busy and therefore can process your application quickly. At bigger cities, like Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfort or Stuttgart we recommend applying through the German embassy if possible.
3. Does your employer or a relocation company support you?
Doing the fast-track procedure on your own can be quite challenging. Most instructions and the complete communication is going to be most likely in bureaucratic German. Also, you need to make sure that you submit your documents at the correct EMail address or Portal. If you make a mistake, they simply won’t ever get back to you.
4. Do you want to come together with a spouse?
In some countries it can be very challenging getting a visa for a spouse or a kid. This is for example the case in Pakistan or Nigeria. Waiting times can be around 3 years. To avoid this long waiting time, we highly recommend doing the fast-track procedure.
Please note that we can only do the fast-track procedure in case you apply together with your spouse at the same time. If the working partner is already in Germany and your spouse is still in their home country there is unfortunately not much we can do. This is why it is so important to look at someones individual situation and decide upfront the best way to come to Germany.
Christine is a co-founder of Jetztpat. She was raised in the so-called Schwabenländle but fell in love with travelling to random places very early in life. After living in Japan and Taiwan for several years, she finally went back home to stay in the German beer capital (where she survives by drinking wine). If she is not watching her favorite Japanese Netflix show aggretsuko, you can find her Googling answers to the real questions in life.