This guide shows you how to apply for a German work visa or EU Blue Card.

Who needs a work visa or Blue Card?

You need a residence permit if:

  • You want to live and work in Germany
  • and you are not a citizen or permanent resident of Germany, the European Union, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
  • and your current residence permit does not let you work in Germany. For example, the German freelance visa lets you work as a freelancer, but not as an employee.

You do not need a residence permit if:

  • You are a permanent resident of Germany, or a citizen of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland1
  • or your current residence permit lets you work in Germany. For example, the German student visa lets you work up to 120 days or 240 half days per year.2
  • or you want to be self-employed. You need a freelance visa for this.

Use this tool to know if you need a residence permit to work in Germany.

Types of German work visas

There are many types of residence permit that let you to work in Germany. The work visa and the Blue Card are not your only options.

Blue Card

University graduates can apply for an EU Blue Card instead of a work visa. The Blue Card is better than a work visa:

  • You can get it faster
    You don’t need permission from the ZAV if your salary is over 58,400€. This makes the application process shorter.3
  • It’s easier to change jobs
    After 2 years with a Blue Card, you can change jobs without applying for a new Blue Card.4 This saves a lot of time. With the work visa, you must apply for a new visa every time you change jobs.35
  • You can get your permanent residence faster
    With a Blue Card, you can get your permanent residence in 33 months5 instead of 60 months.6 If you get a B1 language certificate, you can get your permanent residence in 21 months.5
  • It’s easier to move to other EU countries
    You can move to other EU countries (except Denmark and Ireland38)) more easily. If you had a Blue Card for over 18 months, you can move to another EU country, and apply for the Blue Card there.7
  • You can travel longer outside Germany
    With a Blue Card, you can leave Germany for 12 months before your residence permit becomes invalid.8 With a work visa, you can only leave for 6 months. If you want to leave longer, you can get special permission from the Ausländerbehörde.

The Blue Card has more requirements:

  • You need a high income
    You must make at least 58,400€ per year (before taxes).9 If there is a shortage of skilled workers in your field, you must make at least 45,552€ per year.10 This list shows which fields have a shortage of skilled workers.
  • You need a university degree
    Your degree must be recognised in Germany. It must be listed as equivalent (entspricht or äquivalent) in the Anabin database.11 In other EU countries, you can get a Blue Card with no degree and 5 years of experience. This does not work in Germany, so you must have a university degree.12

In this guide, I show you how to get a Blue Card.

Working Holiday Visa

Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Israel and Japan between 18 and 30 years old can apply for a Working Holiday Visa.3 The Working Holiday Visa lets you work in Germany for up to 1 year. Working Holiday Visas are easier to get than work visas and Blue Cards. You can apply for the Youth Mobility Visa in Germany, or from your home country.39

Youth Mobility Visa

Canadian citizens between 18 and 35 years old can apply for the Youth Mobility Visa. The Youth Mobility Visa is similar to the Working Holiday Visa. It lets you work in Germany for up to a year. You can apply in Canada or in Germany.39 Youth Mobility Visas are easier to get than work visas and Blue Cards.

More information about the Youth Mobility Visa – German Missions in Canada

Freelance visa

Business owners, freelancers and self-employed people must apply for the German freelance visa. This is a completely different process.

Work Visa

Everyone else must apply for the work visa. It lets you work as an employee in Germany. In this guide, I show you how to get a work visa.

German work visa requirements

  • You have a job offer in Germany. It must be a concrete job offer, not just a job listing.57
  • You have a university degree or a vocational qualification59
    Your job must be related to your education. You do not need a university degree to get a German work visa.13 Vocational training is enough. Your school does not need to be recognised in Anabin.
  • Your employer is in Germany
    For example, you can’t work for an American company, unless they have an office in Germany.13
  • You are qualified for the job14
  • You are allowed to do this job in Germany
    If you need specific qualifications to do your job in Germany, you must prove that you have them.60 For example, doctors, engineers and tax advisors need specific qualifications. Use the recognition finder to know if your profession requires specific qualifications.
  • You have approval from the ZAV
    The ZAV verifies that the position can’t be filled by a EU citizen. See below for details. If you apply for a Blue Card, and you make over 58,400€ per year, you don’t need this.
  • You have German health insurance and a place to stay
    You must find a place to live and get German health insurance before you apply for the work visa.40

You do not need to speak German to get a work visa.

EU Blue Card requirements

The Blue Card has the same requirements as the work visa. It also has these two requirements:

  • You have a high income
    You must make at least 58,400€ per year (before taxes).61 If there is a shortage of skilled workers in your field, you must make at least 45,552€ per year.62 This list shows which fields have a shortage of skilled workers.
  • You have a university degree
    Your degree must be recognised in Germany. It must be listed as equivalent (entspricht or äquivalent) in the Anabin database.15 In other EU countries, you can get a Blue Card with no degree and 5 years of experience. This does not work in Germany, so you must have a university degree.12

You do not need to speak German to get a Blue Card.

Two ways to apply

There are two ways to apply for the work visa and the Blue Card:

  1. Apply in Germany
    Come to Germany, find a job, then apply for a work visa or Blue Card in Germany. You can’t work until you have a work visa or Blue Card, but you can look for a job and prepare for your residence permit interview.41 It’s easier to find a job, find an apartment and get health insurance if you are already in Germany. You might have to wait a few months without any income. This is riskier and more expensive.
  2. Apply in your country
    Apply for a temporary visa at the German embassy in your country, come to Germany, then convert your temporary visa to a work visa or Blue Card. You can start working as soon as you arrive in Germany. This is safer and cheaper. It takes around 4 months.16

The best option depends on your citizenship:

  • If you are a citizen of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom or the United States, you can stay in Germany for up to 90 days without a visa.17 You can come to Germany, find a job, then apply for a work visa or Blue Card in Germany.18 You can also apply in your home country.
  • If you are a citizen of any other country, there are two ways to get a work visa or Blue Card:
    1. Apply for a work visa or Blue Card at the German embassy in your country.
    2. or apply for a Job Seeker Visa at the German embassy in your country,19 come to Germany, find a job, then apply for a work visa or Blue Card in Germany.

How to apply in Germany

Step 1: Come to Germany

  • You need: a job seeker visa (except for citizens of certain countries17)
  • You get: the right to come to Germany and look for work

If you are a citizen of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom or the United States, you can come to Germany without a visa, and apply for a residence permit in Germany.20 You can stay for 90 days before you need a residence permit.

If you are a citizen of any other country, you might need a Job Seeker Visa to enter Germany. The Job Seeker Visa lets you to come to Germany and look for a job.17 It’s valid for up to 6 months. It does not allow you to work in Germany. After you find a job, you can apply for a residence permit in Germany. The job. You can’t do this with a tourist visa. If you enter Germany with a tourist visa, your work visa or Blue Card application will be rejected.21

If you can, find an apartment before you come to Germany. It’s really hard to find an apartment in some cities. It’s easier to find an apartment if you already have a job offer. You can also stay in a temporary place: a friend’s house, a hotel or a furnished apartment.

Step 2: Find a job in Germany

  • You need: useful skills
  • You get: a job offer

You need a job offer to apply for a work visa and a Blue Card.22 It must be a skilled job. You can’t get a work visa or Blue Card for unskilled work.23 For example, you can’t get a work visa to be a cashier or a call centre employee.

If you apply for a Blue Card, your salary must be at least 58,400€ per year (before taxes). If there is a shortage of skilled workers in your field, your salary must be at least 45,552€ per year. This list shows which fields have a shortage of skilled workers.

If you can, find a job before you come to Germany. When you arrive in Germany, you can focus on other problems.

How to find a job in Berlin ➞

Step 3: Get pre-approval from the ZAV (optional)

  • You need: a job offer, the pre-approval application form
  • You get: a letter from the ZAV that makes your visa application go faster
  • How long it takes: up to 6 weeks

You might need approval from the ZAV to get a work visa. There are two ways to get the ZAV approval:

  1. Before you apply for your residence permit
    You can get pre-approval from the ZAV before you apply for the work visa. Usually, your employer applies for you.26 When you have pre-approval from the ZAV, your visa is approved faster.27 It takes around 6 weeks to get the ZAV approval,44 and it costs your employer around 400€.28 It’s not a lot of work for your employer.63
  2. While you apply for your residence permit
    If you don’t get pre-approval from the ZAV, it will be done when you apply for the work visa.45 This is the easiest way, because you don’t need to do anything. It takes a little longer to get your work visa this way.

Getting the approval in advance has advantages:

  • You can get it while you wait for your work visa appointment.
  • It makes the work visa application process smoother. You can find problems with your application before your visa appointment. If you have the ZAV approval, you are almost guaranteed to get the work visa.63

You do not need approval from the ZAV if:

  • You have a degree from a German university, and that degree is related to your job42
  • or you are applying for the Blue Card25 and your salary is over 58,400€ per year.43
  • or you are a teacher, scientific assistant, guest scientist, engineer or technician in the research team of a guest scientist42
  • or you are a teacher at a state school, state-approved private substitute school or a recognised private complementary school42
  • or you are applying for the Bundesfreiwilligendienst24

Step 4: Open a bank account (optional)

  • You need: your passport, a registration certificate (if possible)
  • You get: a bank account
  • How long it takes: 1 or 2 days

You don’t need a bank account to get a residence permit, but you need it for other things:

  • To get paid by your employer
  • To pay your rent
  • To buy food and other things you need

You don’t need to choose a German bank; any bank that supports SEPA transfers is okay. N26 is a good option, because they speak English and don’t ask for a registration certificate. I use N26 since 2016.

German banks for expats ➞

You need money in your bank account to pay your apartment deposit (Kaution), and to survive until you get paid. I used Wise to transfer money from another country to my German bank account.

Step 5: Find a place to live

You must find a place to live before your residence permit interview. Start looking for an apartment as soon as possible. Finding an apartment in Berlin is really hard. If you don’t speak German, it’s even harder.

How to find an apartment in Berlin ➞

When you sign a lease, your landlord must give you a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. This document confirms that you are allowed to live there. You can’t get a residence permit without this document.29

During your residence permit interview, you must prove that you live in Germany. There are two ways to do this:13

Step 6: Register your address

After you find an apartment, sign a lease and get your Wohnungsgeberbestätigung, you must register your address. This is called the Anmeldung.

When you register your address, you get a registration certificate (Anmeldebestätigung). It proves that you officially live at this address. You don’t need this for your visa interview, but you might need it to open a bank account, get health insurance, get a SIM card etc.

How to register your address in Berlin ➞

2 to 4 weeks after you register your address, you get a tax ID in the mail. Your employer needs it to calculate your salary tax. If you don’t have a tax ID, they might take more income tax from your salary.46

If you can’t register your address, there are other ways to get a tax ID.

Step 7: Get health insurance

  • You need: a German bank account, an Anmeldebestätigung (if possible)
  • You get: health insurance, a proof of health insurance coverage
  • How long it takes: 2 to 14 days

You need German health insurance to get a residence permit.40

Which health insurance do you need for your German visa? ➞

How to choose German health insurance ➞

Health insurance brokers help you choose the best health insurance for your needs. Their help is free.

I recommend Feather Insurance because I work with them since 2018. I know the founder and the team personally. They helped me switch to private health insurance in 2021. They helped thousands of my readers over the years.

Step 8: Make your residence permit appointment

  • You need: nothing
  • You get: an appointment at the Ausländerbehörde or German consulate
  • How long it takes: 15 minutes to a few weeks, depending on your luck

You must get an appointment at the Ausländerbehörde. Do this as soon as you can, because it’s really hard to find an appointment.47 In Berlin, your appointment can be weeks or months in the future. The appointment is free. You only pay if you get the residence permit.

In Berlin, you must go to the Friedrich-Krause-Ufer Ausländerbehörde.29 You can book your appointment here. If you are applying for the Blue Card, you must go to the Keplerstraße Ausländerbehörde.48

If you can’t find an Ausländerbehörde appointment online, you can apply by email.

How to get an Ausländerbehörde appointment in Berlin ➞

If your current visa expires soon, there are ways to stay in Germany until you get your work visa.

How to get an Ausländerbehörde appointment ➞ If your visa expires soon

Step 9: Gather the required documents

You need a few days to prepare the documents for your application. The required documents are listed below.

List of required documents ↓

Step 10: Go to your Ausländerbehörde appointment

You go to the Ausländerbehörde to give your documents. You will not get your residence permit, just a confirmation letter.

At the Ausländerbehörde ➞ What happens during the appointment

Step 11: Receive your work visa

  • You need: your passport
  • You get: a work visa
  • How long it takes: 8 to 12 weeks30

At the Ausländerbehörde ➞ If your visa application is approved

At the Ausländerbehörde ➞ If your visa application is rejected

If you apply for a work visa, it’s valid for up to 3 years.15 If you apply for a Blue Card, it’s valid for up to 4 years.

Step 12: Start working in Germany

Starting a new job in Germany ➞

How to apply in your country

Step 1: Get your appointment at the German embassy or consulate

Get an appointment at your local German embassy or consulate. It can be hard to find an appointment. You might only get an appointment 2-3 months later.31 Start looking as soon as possible.

Step 2: Prepare for your visa interview

Before you go to your visa interview, prepare the required documents. You also need health insurance and a place to live in Germany.

You need a job offer before you go to your visa interview. If you apply for a Blue Card, your salary must be at least 58,400€ per year (before taxes). If there is a shortage of skilled workers in your field, your salary must be at least 45,552€ per year. This list shows which fields have a shortage of skilled workers.

How to find a job in Berlin ➞

How to find an apartment in Berlin ➞

Health insurance for your German visa ➞

Step 3: Go to your visa interview

You must go to your interview and give your documents. If you have all the required documents, the interview only takes a few minutes.49

Step 4: Receive your temporary visa

You must go to the embassy or consulate again. They will give you a temporary visa that lets you enter Germany and start working. The temporary visa is a sticker in your passport.

Step 5: Come to Germany

After you get your temporary visa, you can travel to Germany.

You can start working as soon as you arrive in Germany. You will need to find an apartment, register your address, get a tax ID, open a bank account, get health insurance and a few other things. You can find an apartment, open a bank account and get health insurance before you arrive in Germany. It will save you some time.

How to move to Berlin ➞

Step 5: Start working in Germany

Starting a new job in Germany ➞

Step 6: Convert your temporary visa to a residence permit

Your temporary visa is usually valid for 6 months. You must go to the Ausländerbehörde and convert your temporary visa to a work visa or Blue Card.

Required documents

These are the required documents in Berlin. If you apply elsewhere, the required documents can be different. Check the website of the Ausländerbehörde, embassy or consulate where you apply.

The interviewer will scan your documents page by page. Do not staple the pages together. If possible, print everything on A4 paper.

  • A valid passport
    Your passport must…50
    • …be valid for another 6 months
    • …be issued in the last 10 years
    • …show your signature
  • 1 biometric photo
    You need a 35 × 45 mm biometric picture.51 You do not need to cut the passport photos yourself; they have a tool for this.32
  • Your job contract (Arbeitsvertrag)
    Bring the original, not a copy.13
  • Proof of health insurance coverage in Germany
    • Mitgliedsbescheinigung You can get this document from your health insurance company.52 If you have public health insurance, look for a Mitgliedsbescheinigung nach 175 SGB V. You can get a similar document for private health insurance.
    • Health insurance card, if you have one.
    • Proof of health insurance payments
      If you have private health insurance, bring bank account statements that show health insurance payments.
  • Proof of residence in Germany
  • Proof of education (Ausbildungsnachweis)
    If you have a degree or any relevant training, bring a proof of education. If it’s not in English or German, you might need a certified translation. A proof of education can be…29
    • A degree from a German Hochschule or a comparable qualification
    • or a degree from a recognised university
    • or a completed vocational training
  • Occupation practice permit (if applicable)
    If you need specific qualifications to do your job in Germany, you must prove that you have them.33 For example, doctors, engineers and tax advisors need specific qualifications. Use the recognition finder to know if your profession requires specific qualifications.
  • All the required forms

Questions and answers

Can I bring my family to Germany?

Yes. With a work visa and the Blue Card, you can bring your family to Germany. They must apply for the family reunion visa. Your family members will be allowed to work or study in Germany.14

How much does the German work visa cost?

It costs 100€.53 It’s cheaper for some nationalities. See the list of visa fees.

How much does the German Blue Card cost?

It costs 100€.53 It’s cheaper for some nationalities. See the list of visa fees.

How long does it take to get a work visa?

It takes 8 to 12 weeks to get a work visa when you apply in Germany,34 but it can take up to 16 weeks.54 Different departments process applications from different nationalities. Some departments are slower.64

You can get the Blue Card faster if your salary is over 58,400€, because you don’t need approval from the ZAV.

How long is the work visa valid for?

Up to 4 years, but it can be shorter if you have a temporary work contract.58 You can extend your work visa before it expires. After a few years, you can apply for permanent residence.

How long is the Blue Card valid for?

Up to 4 years, but it can be shorter if you have a temporary work contract.58 You can extend your Blue Card before it expires, or apply for permanent residence.

Do I need to speak German?

No. You don’t need to speak German to get a work visa or Blue Card. It’s harder to find a job if you don’t speak German. You might need to bring a translator to your Ausländerbehörde appointment. In Berlin, you can hire Red Tape Translation or Booka Local.

Do I need to speak German to live in Berlin? ➞

Can I change jobs?

Yes. Your work visa or Blue Card is for one employer only. If you want to get another job, you can apply for a new work visa or Blue Card.35 There are two exceptions:

  • If you had a Blue Card for at least 2 years, and you have an unlimited work contract, you can change jobs without changing your visa.36
  • If you had a residence permit for at least 3 years (excluding your time as a student), and you have an unlimited work contract, you can change jobs without changing your visa.35

What happens if I lose my job?

You must tell the Ausländerbehörde as soon as you lose your job. Your visa is still valid, but the Ausländerbehörde can shorten your visa.55 The Ausländerbehörde will give you 3 to 6 months to find another job or leave Germany.

If you don’t tell the Ausländerbehörde that you lost your job, you and your employer can be fined.65

Can I travel outside of Germany?

Yes. With a work visa, you can leave Germany for up to 6 months.37 With a Blue Card, you can leave Germany for up to 12 months. If you leave for a longer period without a special permission, your residence permit become invalid.8 You can ask the Ausländerbehörde for permission to leave longer without losing your residence permit.

Can I start my own business?

Sometimes. If you have this line on your work visa, you are allowed to freelance. You must keep your job. Freelancing can’t be your main occupation.56 If you want to freelance as your main occupation, you must apply for a freelance visa. You must still register your business. You might need permission from your employer.

Need help?

Where to find help ➞ Immigration questions

Sources and footnotes

  1. Make it in Germany ⤴

  2. topuniversities.com, germany-visa.org ⤴

  3. Screenshot ⤴

  4. §18b AufenthG ⤴

  5. eu-bluecard.com ⤴

  6. berlin.de ⤴

  7. hamburg.com, reddit.com/r/germany ⤴

  8. §42 Abs. 2 AufenthG ⤴

  9. web.archive.org, Make it in Germany, hamburg.com ⤴

  10. fragomen.com, web.archive.org, Make it in Germany, hamburg.com ⤴

  11. medium.com, Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge ⤴

  12. web.archive.org, reddit.com/r/germany ⤴

  13. berlin.de ⤴

  14. Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge ⤴

  15. medium.com ⤴

  16. facebook.com ⤴

  17. web.archive.org ⤴

  18. Auswärtiges Amt, web.archive.org ⤴

  19. gtai.de, reddit.com/r/germany, Auswärtiges Amt ⤴

  20. §41 AufenthV ⤴

  21. Auswärtiges Amt, §3 AufenthG, reddit.com/r/germany, facebook.com ⤴

  22. §18 AufenthG ⤴

  23. Auswärtiges Amt ⤴

  24. berlin.de, gesetze-im-internet.de ⤴

  25. gesetze-im-internet.de ⤴

  26. immigrate-to-germany.blogspot.com (archived), expatriates.stackexchange.com, Make it in Germany ⤴

  27. immigrate-to-germany.blogspot.com (archived), Make it in Germany ⤴

  28. Make it in Germany ⤴

  29. berlin.de ⤴

  30. Quora, Quora, Quora ⤴

  31. web.archive.org, facebook.com, immigrate-to-germany.blogspot.com (archived) ⤴

  32. reddit.com/r/berlin ⤴

  33. berlin.de, gesetze-im-internet.de ⤴

  34. Quora, Quora, Quora, Quora, Quora, medium.com ⤴

  35. berlin.de ⤴

  36. berlin.de, expatriates.stackexchange.com ⤴

  37. berlin.de, gesetze-im-internet.de ⤴

  38. Wikipedia ⤴

  39. berlin.de ⤴

  40. expatriates.stackexchange.com ⤴

  41. gtai.de ⤴

  42. con.arbeitsagentur.de ⤴

  43. BAMF (archived) ⤴

  44. reddit.com/r/germany ⤴

  45. arbeitsagentur.de ⤴

  46. finanzfrage.net ⤴

  47. reddit.com/r/germany ⤴

  48. berlin.de ⤴

  49. immigrate-to-germany.blogspot.com ⤴

  50. afghanistan.diplo.de ⤴

  51. berlin.de ⤴

  52. Screenshot ⤴

  53. Quora ⤴

  54. Quora ⤴

  55. Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge ⤴

  56. allaboutberlin.com ⤴

  57. §18 AufenthG, berlin.de ⤴

  58. §18 AufenthG, Make it in Germany ⤴

  59. §18a, §18b AufenthG, Make it in Germany ⤴

  60. berlin.de, §18 AufenthG ⤴

  61. §18b AufenthG, BAMF (archived), Make it in Germany, hamburg.com ⤴

  62. §18b AufenthG ⤴

  63. Jana Köhler from HalloGermany (July 2022) ⤴

  64. Fiona Macdonald, immigration lawyer (February 2023) ⤴

  65. Alexander von Engelhardt, immigration lawyer (January 2023) ⤴