Types of Work Visa
You have found a job in Germany and need a visa? These are the requirements you have to meet.
Blue Card
If you are a foreign academic and meet the following requirements, you qualify to receive a Blue Card (as of January 2024):
German degree or a foreign degree that is equal to a German university diploma. (find more here)
A job offer from a company in Germany
A suitable position that matches with your qualifications (higher education degree)
The annual gross salary must be at least 45,300 € for regular professions. For recent University graduates or shortage occupations the minimum salary must be at least 41,042 €
Shortage occupations are for example mathematics, natural sciences, engineering, and human medicine. You can find a complete list here.
For regulated professions (e.g., health professions, practicing teachers, lawyers), a professional practice permit may be required
Work visa for qualified professionals
If you meet the following requirements, you are eligible to receive a work permit (as of July 2023):
Qualifications must be recognized in Germany or comparable to those from a German higher education institution (find more here)
For regulated professions (e.g., health professions, practicing teachers, lawyers), a professional practice permit may be required
A job offer from an employer in Germany, and the recognized qualifications that enable you to perform the job
If you are over 45 years old and coming to Germany for employment, your gross annual salary must be at least 48.180 €, or you must provide proof of adequate old age pension provisions.
Blue Card for IT specialist
If the following conditions apply to you, you might qualify for a blue card for IT skilled people (as of October 2023) :
Job offer in the IT sector in Germany
At least three years of IT experience within the last seven years, qualifying you for the job
Proof of relevant practical knowledge through reference letters from your former employers
Gross annual salary of at least 41,042€
Minimum German language skills at level B1 from Goethe Institute or another recognized institution, unless the language spoken at work is not German (exceptions may apply). You can proof this by requesting a letter from your employer.
ICT-Card
If you're employed as a manager, specialist, or trainee in a non-EU company and have plans to work at a German location, an Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) can facilitate this.
With an ICT Card, you can also work temporarily at other company locations within the EU for a limited duration.
Conditions to meet:
You should be employed by a non-EU company or a group of companies, temporarily stationed at your employer's branch in Germany, with your current employment contract still valid.
Your role at the German branch should fall under the categories of manager, specialist, or trainee, and you must have the qualifications required for the position.
You must have been part of the company or group for a minimum of six months.
An intra-corporate transfer is typically for a duration exceeding 90 days.
You need a valid employment contract that covers the entire transfer period, and possibly a letter of secondment.
The employment contract or secondment letter should indicate your intent to continue working for your current employer beyond the transfer period.
A gap of at least six months should exist between your previous intra-corporate transfer and the upcoming one under consideration.
Once these criteria are met, you will be eligible for an ICT Card, which is valid for the transfer period, up to a maximum of three years (or one year for trainees).
Family reunion / spouse visa
In case you are a non-EU citizen and would like to work in Germany it is possible bringing your wife/husband and children as well. However you need to fulfill the following requirements (as of July 2023):
Requirements from working partner:
The working partner is eligible for a work visa and will apply for it from abroad.
OR is already in Germany and holds a work permit such as e.g. residence permit, settlement permit, or EU Blue Card.
The working partner can provide adequate accommodation, meaning an apartment with a size of at least around 12 square-meter per grown-up (please note that differences per city occur). If you do not have a flat yet because you are still abroad, you’ll need to proof it after relocating to Germany.
The working partners’ income is high enough to support the family or spouse. This can be shown by providing the work contract.
The working partner is able to provide German health insurance for the spouse as well. Typically when you’ll apply for German statutory health insurance your spouse and kids will be covered as well - so please mention them when you apply for it.
Requirements from spouse:
Minimum age of at least 18 years old
Knowledge of the German language is recommended for your family's integration. A German A1-language certificate from your spouse can be requested. The certificate needs to be from a recognized institution, such as the Goethe institute. In case the working partner is eligible for a blue card and the spouse has a University degree which is equal to a German one, a language certificate won’t be requested. The same applies for holders of the ICT card.
Passport, marriage certificate and birth certificate needs to be presented. In some countries an Apostille or legalization is required - proofing that the documents is real (additional documents may be required depending on the local German Embassy)
Application for spouse visa “VIDEX”
Please note: Depending on the German embassy, spouse visas may take some time as the processing of work visas is always prioritized. In case you are applying through an embassy that has a reputation of taking very long for issuing spouse visas, we highly recommend initiating both visa processes together through the accelerated procedure at the same time, as this might accelerate your spouse’s visa process. It will not slow down the working partners’ visa application.
Academic qualification
If you want the EU Blue Card, you must prove the equivalence of your foreign academic qualification to a German university degree. In case you cannot prove equivalency to a German University degree you might need to apply for a different type of visa, like e.g. residence permit for work purposes or IT skilled visa.
To check equivalency do the following:
Check the anabin database
The Anabin Database is a website that checks if foreign degrees have a German equivalent. The Anabin Database is available for public use. Unfortunately, the database is currently only available in German. So to make your day a bit easier, check our tutorial here.
In case you cannot find your University/degree in the Anabin database you need to apply for a “statement of comparability”.
Statement of Comparability
The Statement of Comparability is an official document that evaluates the equivalence of your foreign academic qualifications to a German degree on an individual level. This statement is valuable for job applications, salary negotiations, and visa applications.
Education systems in different countries vary significantly, leading to differences in the required application documents. Before applying, please download the checklist specific to your country here. Once you have gathered all the necessary documents, you can apply for the Statement of Comparability here.
In case you have a valid work contract your application will be handled with priority. Potential blue card applicants are also served quicker and the equivalency institution is trying to process it within 2 weeks. In case you do not have a valid work contract application times can be quite lengthy.
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