What is the likelihood of my German work visa application being approved?
Every year, we handle numerous visa applications from skilled migrants seeking to relocate to Germany on a work visa or blue card. We receive inquiries about immigration to Germany from individuals all over the world, with the majority of requests originating from countries such as India, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, Argentina, Chile, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Immigrating to Germany can be an exciting and enjoyable experience, but it can also be quite daunting and even intimidating for many, as they are often deeply concerned about the approval of their visa applications.
While we are confident that immigrating to Germany for work purposes is entirely feasible, with less than 1% of the applications we submitted last year being declined, there are still instances in which German work visa applications are rejected.
We have identified the most significant reasons for rejection:
1. Temporary Work (Zeitarbeit):
It is possible to obtain a German work visa with a limited work contract; however, this is generally not viable for positions classified as "Zeitarbeit" in German. Zeitarbeit typically refers to employment where a company hires you to be subcontracted to another company for a specific duration. An exception to this rule applies to Blue Card applicants, as individuals holding this visa type have successfully been approved even under such circumstances.
2. Low Salary:
Different types of work visas for Germany have varying minimum salary requirements. For instance, if you wish to apply for a Blue Card, you must meet the minimum salary threshold in addition to other conditions. The annual gross salary must be at least €48,300 for regular professions. For university graduates in junior positions or shortage occupations, the minimum salary must be at least €43,759. These Blue Card thresholds are accurate as of January 2025 and change annually.
However, the Blue Card is not the only type of German work visa available. If you don't qualify for the Blue Card, you can still apply for a regular work permit, listed as "visa for qualified or skilled labor." Even if you don't meet the Blue Card salary requirements, the German Employment Agency will assess whether your salary is acceptable. If your salary is not at least the median salary for your position, your German work visa request may be rejected. To determine if your salary falls within the median range, we recommend consulting the Entgeltatlas, which contains the data the employment agency references.
Summary
In summary, the probability of receiving a German work visa is higher when your salary and qualifications are more substantial. If your occupation is classified as a shortage occupation, and your salary exceeds the German median income, your chances of approval are favorable. While there is a slight chance of visa rejection, it is generally worth pursuing, as fewer than 1% of all visa applications we processed were declined.
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.