Permission to enter Germany and start to work depends on your citizenship, how soon you plan to begin work after arrival, and how your qualifications are recognized. It is important that you consider all three elements together.
Applying for a German visa is a complex process. You have to figure out, which type of residence permit you need. Then you must get all the necessary papers and forms. You have to make an appointment at the German embassy and the foreigners office in Germany, depending on whether you apply from Germany or from abroad.
There are many types of German visa, or “resident permits” to use the official language.
VISA ONLINE GUIDE
Check whether your degree is recognised in Germany. You possess a foreign school leaving certificate or university degree? You have learnt a profession in your native country? In such cases you may apply to have your qualifications recognised in Germany.
Visit the German government’s information portal on the recognition of professional qualifications:
https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/en/recognition-of-qualifications
If you cannot find your degree there, you can have it checked here
A residence permit that allows you to work in Germany usually requires the approval of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit
https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/en/german-labour-market).
In some cases, a work visa can be issued without the prior approval of the Federal Employment Agency (i.e. Blue Card).
Check the websites of the relevant German diplomatic missions for information on the documents required
https://visa.diplo.de/en/index.html#/vib/kurzinfo
Book an appointment to obtain a visa. Most embassies use an online system, sometimes you have to book the appointment by phone. All relevant information can be found on the embassy’s website.
You will have to pay a fee when you apply. At the moment it’s €75 for adults. This fee is usually paid in cash in the local currency. Please follow the advice of the diplomatic mission.
Please make sure that all your documents and copies or scans are complete. If some documents are missing, the embassy may not accept the application and you will have to make a new appointment. In some countries the waiting time can be several weeks.
After the application, you/your employee can keep the passport and the embassy or consulate will notify you by email when the visa can be collected.
On arrival in Germany, you register at the local registration office and make an appointment at the local foreigners’ registration office to apply for an electronic residence permit. The fee for this is around €100 per person (and around €60 per child). Please make sure that all your documents are complete. Otherwise it may take longer to issue your electronic residence permit.
Once your card has been produced (takes about 3 weeks), you will be informed and you can collect it.
FAQ’s
To check if your qualifications are recognized in Germany, you can visit the German government’s information portal on the recognition of professional qualifications at https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/en/recognition-of-qualifications.
The German government’s information portal on the recognition of professional qualifications at https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/en/recognition-of-qualifications is a useful resource to find information on the recognition of professional qualifications in Germany.
Yes, a residence permit that allows you to work in Germany usually requires the approval of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit. More information can be found at https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/en/german-labour-market.
In some cases, a work visa can be issued without the prior approval of the Federal Employment Agency (i.e., Blue Card).
To book an appointment to obtain a visa, you can visit the embassy’s website. Most embassies use an online system, but sometimes you have to book the appointment by phone.
To ensure that all your documents are complete before applying for a visa, please make sure to check the requirements and have all necessary documents and copies or scans ready. Missing documents can lead to a rejection of the application, and you may need to make a new appointment.
You can submit your visa application to your local German Embassy in your country of residence. Make sure that you are applying for a visa that corresponds to the purpose of your stay in Germany.
The fee for a visa application is currently €75 for adults, which is usually paid in cash in the local currency. Please follow the advice of the diplomatic mission.
When planning a long-term stay in Germany, you are advised to bring all your personal documents with you, such as your birth certificate, documents regarding your post-secondary school or vocational qualifications, your driver’s license, or your marriage certificate. You will also need to be within a health insurance scheme that is valid from your first day in Germany. Proof of insurance will be requested when picking up your visa from the German embassy at the latest.
To obtain a residence permit in Germany, you need to register at the local registration office and make an appointment at the local foreigners’ registration office to apply for an electronic residence permit. The fee for this is around €100 per person (and around €60 per child). Please make sure that all your documents are complete. Otherwise, it may take longer to issue your electronic residence permit. Once your card has been produced (takes about 3 weeks), you will be informed, and you can collect it. More detailed information can be found at Step 7 – Residence registration.
