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):

While it is possible to obtain a German work visa with a limited work contract, it is generally not feasible for what is referred to as "Zeitarbeit" in German. This typically occurs when you are employed by a company that subcontracts you to another company for a specific period.

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 €43,800 for regular professions. For university graduates in junior positions or shortage occupations, the minimum salary must be at least €39,682. These Blue Card thresholds are accurate as of October 2023 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.

3. No Shortage Occupation:

If you have a salary below the median salary for your position, and your job is not categorized as a shortage occupation, the employment agency may sometimes reject your application. In such cases, it is not only possible to find a German or EU national for the job, but the salary also falls below the median wage. To prevent unfavorable treatment of foreigners, the German government may reject your application. Shortage occupations include fields such as IT, mathematics, natural sciences, engineering, and human medicine.

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.

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