Visas for taking up employment
Opportunity Card
The Opportunity Card enables workers from third countries with a vocational qualification to enter Germany in order to seek employment. If there is no qualification as a skilled worker, a points system is used to determine whether the minimum requirements for obtaining the Opportunity Card are fulfilled.
Find out moreBlue Card (EU)
The Blue Card (EU) visa enables skilled workers from abroad with a university or tertiary education or IT professional experience to take up gainful employment. For this, an employment relationship corresponding to the qualification with a certain minimum gross salary is required.
Find out moreTaking up employment as a highly skilled worker with university degree
Qualified professionals from abroad who hold an academic degree that is recognized in Germany or comparable with a German academic degree can take up gainful employment with this visa. An employment relationship is required for this.
Find out moreTaking up employment as a skilled worker with professional training
Skilled workers with professional training from abroad with a qualification comparable to vocational training in Germany can take up gainful employment with this visa. An employment relationship is required for this.
Find out moreTaking up employment with work experience
The visa for taking up employment with work experience enables workers from abroad with a recognised professional qualification to take up gainful employment, provided they can prove that they were employed in their professional field for at least two years within the last five years.
Find out moreTaking up employment as part of a placement agreement
The visa to take up employment as part of a placement agreement enables prospective skilled workers from abroad to enter Germany by special agreement for the purpose of gainful employment and recognition of their professional qualifications, provided that the Federal Employment Agency has issued its approval.
Find out moreConducting a qualification analysis
The visa for conducting a qualification analysis enables prospective skilled workers from abroad to have their professional knowledge and skills checked in order to obtain recognition of the qualifications they require to take up gainful employment.
Find out moreNot sure which visa is right for you?
The Visa Navigator helps you to quickly and easily find the visa you need to enter and stay in Germany. Answer a few questions about the purpose of your entry and get sound information on how and where to apply for the relevant visa.
Not sure if you need a visa?
You generally need a visa to enter and stay in Germany. The type of visa depends on the duration and purpose of your stay.
For short stays of up to 90 days, you will need a Schengen visa – unless you are a national of an EU state or another state with which there is a visa waiver agreement.
For longer stays and for stays for the purpose of gainful employment, study or training, as well as for family reunification, you will need to apply for a national visa.
You can apply for a visa at the German mission responsible for you, which depends on the administrative district where you live. The Consulate Finder is the quick and easy way to find the German mission responsible for you.
Just a few steps to a visa
1. Complete the application online
Go to the Consular Services Portal and complete the application form online, upload all the required supporting documents and submit these documents for preliminary review.
2. Wait for the preliminary review
During the preliminary review, your information and documents will be checked to ensure that everything is complete. If any information or documents are missing, this will be clarified with you directly via the Consular Services Portal. In this way, everything will be perfectly prepared for your in-person appointment at your German mission.
3. In-person appointment
The purpose of the in-person appointment is to establish your identity and to submit your biometric data (fingerprints and photo). You also pay the fee on site.
The online application is currently only possible for one person. Family members can apply for their visa as usual locally at their German mission.
The many advantages of applying online
Submit a paperless application
Complete the application form directly in the Consular Services Portal and submit it online together with your uploaded supporting documents.
Direct contact with your German mission
Your German mission will clarify any queries or uncertainties with you directly via the Consular Services Portal prior to your in-person appointment.
All set for the in-person appointment
During the preliminary review, the documents you submitted will already be checked to ensure that everything is complete. You will also receive a checklist of all the original documents you need to present at your in-person appointment.
Status of processing always clear
You can always track the status of your application via the Consular Services Portal and view it at any time.
Highest security standards for your data
Your user account and the processing of your data are subject to the strictest security requirements in the Consular Services Portal. This ensures that you can communicate securely with your German mission – unlike, for instance, with unencrypted e-mail.
Still have questions?
Frequently asked questions and answers with more information on how to use the Consular Services Portal and the online application process can be found in our FAQ section. Take a look and see if you can find the answer to your question.
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Make it in Germany
As the Federal Government's portal for skilled workers from abroad, Make it in Germany provides extensive information about working and living in Germany.
Find out moreStudy in Germany
The Study in Germany portal provides prospective students from abroad with reliable information on studying and living in Germany.
Find out moreFederal Foreign Office
The website of the Federal Foreign Office provides information on all consular services as well as on German foreign policy.
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