Work Permit in Germany: Blue Card and Job Seeker Visa
Complete guide to working in Germany as a non-EU citizen. Covers the EU Blue Card, job seeker visa, recognition of foreign qualifications, residence permit application, and registration in Germany.
Identify which work visa category fits your situation
Germany has 3 main work visa paths for non-EU nationals: EU Blue Card (for university graduates with a qualifying job offer), Job Seeker Visa (6-month visa to find a job in Germany), and general skilled worker visa (for recognized qualifications with a job offer). EU Blue Card is the fastest path to permanent residency — 21 months with B1 German or 33 months without.
EU Blue Card: university degree + job offer with salary above the threshold
Job Seeker Visa: university degree but no job offer yet
Skilled Worker Visa: recognized vocational or professional qualification
Check if you need a visa before entering Germany
Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, UK, Japan, South Korea, and a few other countries can enter Germany visa-free and apply for their residence permit from within Germany. All other non-EU nationals must apply for a national visa (Type D) at the German embassy in their home country before entry.
Check visa-free entry eligibility at auswaertiges-amt.de
If visa required, apply at the German embassy before traveling
EU Blue Card Requirements and Application
Verify your degree is recognized in Germany
Your university degree must be recognized as equivalent to a German degree. Check the Anabin database (anabin.kmk.org) maintained by the German government. If your degree shows 'H+' (comparable), you are eligible. If rated 'H+/-' or not listed, apply for a formal credential evaluation through the Zentralstelle fur auslandisches Bildungswesen (ZAB).
Search your university and degree on anabin.kmk.org
If not recognized, apply for ZAB evaluation (200 EUR, takes 2-3 months)
Secure a qualifying job offer
The EU Blue Card requires a concrete job offer or employment contract. The gross annual salary must meet the threshold: 45,300 EUR for shortage occupations (IT, engineering, medicine, natural sciences, mathematics) or 50,800 EUR for all other occupations (2024 figures, adjusted annually). The position must correspond to your degree field.
Confirm the offered salary meets the Blue Card threshold for your occupation
Obtain a signed employment contract or binding job offer
Apply for the EU Blue Card visa at the German embassy
Book an appointment at the German embassy or consulate in your country. Appointment wait times range from 1 week to 3 months depending on location. Apply as early as possible — the visa is valid for 6 months, during which you must enter Germany and apply for the Blue Card residence permit.
Book an appointment at the German embassy
Complete the national visa application form (available at the embassy website)
Prepare documents for the Blue Card visa application
Valid passport (12+ months validity recommended)
2 biometric passport photos (35x45mm)
University degree certificate with apostille or legalization
Credential recognition (Anabin printout or ZAB evaluation)
Signed employment contract or binding job offer
CV/resume
Health insurance proof (travel insurance for initial entry is acceptable)
Proof of accommodation in Germany (rental contract, hotel booking, or employer letter)
Pay the visa fee
The national visa (Type D) fee is 75 EUR. Pay at the embassy during your appointment. Some embassies accept only cash in local currency. Processing takes 2-6 weeks after submission.
Job Seeker Visa (If No Job Offer Yet)
Check eligibility for the Job Seeker Visa
You need a recognized university degree (checked via Anabin) and proof of financial means to support yourself for 6 months in Germany (approximately 11,208 EUR in a blocked bank account or similar guarantee). The Job Seeker Visa is valid for 6 months and does not allow working — only job searching.
Verify degree recognition on anabin.kmk.org
Prove financial means (11,208 EUR for 6 months)
Apply at the German embassy
Completed national visa application form
Valid passport with 12+ months remaining
University degree with recognition documentation
CV and motivation letter
Proof of financial means (blocked account statement or sponsor declaration)
Health insurance for the 6-month period
Once in Germany, convert to a work visa after finding a job
After securing employment in Germany, apply at the local Auslanderbehorde (foreigners' registration office) to convert your Job Seeker Visa to a Blue Card or skilled worker residence permit. Do this before the 6-month visa expires. If you cannot find a job within 6 months, you must leave Germany.
Obtain an employment contract from your new employer
Book an appointment at the Auslanderbehorde before your visa expires
Arrival and Registration in Germany
Register your address (Anmeldung) within 14 days of moving in
German law requires all residents to register their address at the local Burgeramt (citizens' office) within 14 days of moving into an apartment. You need your passport, the rental contract, and a Wohnungsgeberbestatigung (landlord confirmation form). This registration is required for everything: bank account, residence permit, tax ID, and health insurance.
Book an appointment at the Burgeramt (often fully booked — book immediately)
Obtain the Wohnungsgeberbestatigung from your landlord
Receive your Anmeldebestatigung (registration certificate)
Open a German bank account
You need the Anmeldebestatigung to open a standard bank account. Online banks (N26, Comdirect) accept applications without Anmeldung but with limitations. Traditional banks (Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank) require in-person visits with your Anmeldung, passport, and visa. Open an account as soon as possible — your employer needs it for salary payments.
Choose a bank and book an appointment
Bring passport, Anmeldebestatigung, and employment contract
Enroll in German health insurance
Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. If your gross salary is below 69,300 EUR (2024), you must join a public insurer (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) — TK, AOK, Barmer, or DAK are the largest. Above this threshold, you can opt for private insurance. Your employer handles enrollment for public insurance — provide them your chosen insurer within 14 days of starting work.
Choose a public health insurer (Krankenkasse)
Inform your employer of your chosen insurer
Receive your tax ID (Steueridentifikationsnummer)
The tax office (Finanzamt) automatically mails your 11-digit tax ID to your registered address within 2-4 weeks of Anmeldung. Your employer needs this number for payroll. If it does not arrive within 4 weeks, contact the Bundeszentralamt fur Steuern at bzst.de.
Residence Permit Application at the Auslanderbehorde
Book an appointment at the Auslanderbehorde
Appointments at the foreigners' office (Auslanderbehorde) are notoriously hard to get in large cities — Berlin wait times can exceed 3 months. Book online the moment you arrive. Some cities allow booking before arrival. Bring all documents to the appointment; incomplete applications mean rebooking and further delays.
Book an appointment online (check your city's Auslanderbehorde website)
If no appointments available, visit in person for an emergency slot (Notfall-Termin)
Prepare documents for the residence permit appointment
Valid passport with entry visa
Biometric passport photo
Anmeldebestatigung (address registration)
Employment contract
University degree with recognition documentation
Health insurance confirmation
Rental contract
Completed residence permit application form
Pay the residence permit fee
EU Blue Card residence permit fee: 100 EUR for initial issuance. Standard skilled worker residence permit: 100 EUR. Extensions cost 93 EUR. The Auslanderbehorde typically accepts only EC/debit cards or bank transfers — not credit cards or cash.
Receive your electronic residence permit (eAT card)
After approval, the electronic residence title (Aufenthaltstitel) is produced as a card with your photo and biometric data. Production takes 4-6 weeks. You receive a Fiktionsbescheinigung (temporary permit) at your appointment that allows you to work legally while the card is being produced. Pick up the eAT card at the Auslanderbehorde when notified.
Collect the Fiktionsbescheinigung at your appointment
Pick up the eAT card when notified (4-6 weeks)
Path to Permanent Residency and Key Rules
Understand Blue Card permanent residency timeline
EU Blue Card holders can apply for a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) after 33 months of Blue Card employment and basic German skills (A1). With B1 German proficiency, the timeline shortens to 21 months. No other work visa in Germany offers such a fast path to permanent residency.
Start German language classes early (Goethe-Institut, VHS, or online)
Obtain a B1 German certificate for the 21-month fast track
Know the rules about changing employers
During the first 12 months on a Blue Card, you need Auslanderbehorde approval to change employers. After 12 months, you can change employers freely as long as the new position still meets Blue Card requirements (salary threshold and degree match). Notify the Auslanderbehorde of any employer change.
Understand family reunification rights
Blue Card holders can bring their spouse and minor children to Germany. The spouse receives a residence permit with full work authorization — no German language requirement for Blue Card family reunification (unlike other visa categories). Apply for family reunification at the German embassy in the family's country of residence.
Spouse applies for family reunification visa at the German embassy
Provide marriage certificate, Blue Card copy, proof of income, and housing
Frequently Asked Questions
What salary is required for a German EU Blue Card?
The EU Blue Card requires a minimum annual gross salary of EUR 45,300 for shortage occupations (IT, engineering, medicine) and EUR 58,400 for all other occupations as of 2026. These thresholds are adjusted annually based on German pension insurance data. The salary must be stated in a concrete, binding job offer or employment contract before you apply. Consult an immigration lawyer if your offer is near the threshold.
Can I move to Germany to look for a job without a job offer?
Yes, Germany offers a Job Seeker Visa (section 20 Residence Act) that allows qualified professionals to enter Germany for up to 6 months to search for employment. You need a recognized university degree, proof of funds (approximately EUR 1,027/month), and health insurance. You cannot work during the job-seeking period except for a 10-hour/week trial employment. Once you find a qualifying job, you can convert to a work permit without leaving the country.
How long does the German work permit process take?
Processing times vary by embassy, typically 4-12 weeks after submitting a complete application. German embassies in India and China often have longer wait times (8-16 weeks) due to high application volumes. The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur fur Arbeit) must also approve most work permits, adding 2-4 weeks to the timeline. EU Blue Card applications are often prioritized and processed faster.
Do I need to speak German to get a work permit?
Language requirements depend on the visa type and profession. The EU Blue Card has no formal German language requirement, though most employers expect at least basic German (A2-B1). The Job Seeker Visa does not require German proficiency either. However, regulated professions (medicine, law, teaching) require B2-C1 German for license recognition. Learning German significantly improves your career prospects and integration; many employers offer language courses as part of onboarding.
Can I bring my family to Germany on a work permit?
Yes, work permit and EU Blue Card holders can apply for family reunification for their spouse and minor children. EU Blue Card holders enjoy simplified rules: spouses do not need to prove German language skills before arrival. For regular work permit holders, the spouse must demonstrate basic German skills (A1 level) before the visa interview. Family members receive a residence permit that includes work authorization, allowing them to take any job without restrictions.