How to Relocate to Germany for Work as a Non-EU National
Due to a labor shortage in Germany, an increasing number of employers are opening positions for English speakers and welcoming foreign talent, especially in the fields of IT and engineering, where there's a shortage of local talent. Non-EU nationals must obtain a German work visa to legally work in Germany. There are two options for moving to Germany for work:
Option 1: Moving to Germany and Job-Hunting
If you have the resources and qualifications, it may make sense to move to Germany and search for a job. Citizens of all nationalities can apply for a job-seeker visa, which allows you to move to Germany to seek employment. This visa is intended for highly qualified non-EU nationals with a German or equivalent foreign academic degree. It grants a six-month stay to find suitable employment but doesn't include a work permit, allowing only a limited trial period of up to 10 hours per week. Your visa can be converted to a work permit once you secure a job, but waiting for official approval from the local foreigners’ office is crucial.
Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, or Japan can enter Germany as tourists (Schengen visa) for 90 days, extendable for another 90 days. During this period, you can search for a job, and once you find one, you can apply for a work permit at the local foreigners' office. It's important to note that working on a tourist visa is strictly forbidden, and you must wait for final approval from the foreigners’ office.
On average, job hunting takes at least three months, so we recommend preparing before your move. Update your LinkedIn profile, ideally changing your location to Germany, network with recruiters, and start applying for jobs.
How long will it take to receive your work permit when applying in Germany?
On average, we estimate that applications for a German work permit from within Germany take around eight to eleven weeks, starting from the time of submission. However, some foreigners' offices may experience longer processing times.
You can avoid long waiting times by initially moving to a smaller town where there are fewer foreigners, resulting in a quicker work permit application process. After receiving your work permit, you can relocate to the city. Please note that English may not be widely spoken at governmental institutions, so consider bringing a German-speaking person with you.
Option 2: Obtaining a German Work Visa Abroad After Securing a Job
The second option is to apply for jobs from your home country. Once you secure a job offer, you can apply for a German work permit at your nearest embassy. To start the process, you will need a copy of your work contract.
There are various visa categories for obtaining a German work visa, typically falling into the category of "long-term visa" or "D-visa." These visas may include the German Blue Card, IT Skilled Visa, or the regular work permit for qualified workers. When applying for a German work visa, it is crucial to select the correct category when making an appointment.
How long will the work permit process take?
The duration of the visa and work permit process is a crucial consideration for employers, and many prefer not to hire foreigners without a valid visa. There have been reports of lengthy waiting times, even over a year. However, when the process is executed correctly, it is possible to secure your work permit in a timely manner.
If you apply from abroad for your work permit, the first step is to secure an appointment at your nearest German embassy when you find a job. If appointments are not readily available, consider the accelerated procedure. Application times may vary based on your location.
For instance, we have had positive experiences with most German embassies in India, with the total application time from making an appointment to final approval taking around three months. In contrast, other German embassies, such as the ones in Islamabad or Lagos, have longer waiting times for appointments. In such cases, it's advisable to explore the accelerated procedure, which typically takes around 3-4 months in total.
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.