Germany has many different visa types available, which can make it tough to choose which is best for your team members. If you’re already in the midst of global growth, it can prove difficult to focus on obtaining work visas in Germany when you’re also dealing with hiring, payroll, compensation, benefits, and more.
Types of work visas in Germany
If yourteam members are not European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) nationals, and they want to stay in Germany for more than 90 days to take up employment, they must acquire a visa and a work and residence permit. They must acquire this permit in addition to a visa and work permit. The most common Residence Permit types include:
- Temporary Residence
- Blue Card
- EU Long-Term Residence
- Permanent Settlement
If a professional has secured a job in Germany, they can be issued with a residence permit with validity corresponding to the planned duration of the employment plus 3 months. Once the temporary residence permit has been granted, it can be regularly renewed for up to the 4-year maximum. Employees should contact the local Foreigner’s Registration Office and consult with an immigration lawyer if they switch employers, stop working, or go through a marriage shift, as these situations can impact their residency status.
Requirements to obtain work visas in Germany
After individuals get a Residence Permit in the form of a national D-visa, they can travel to Germany and apply for a work permit, which will be mentioned in this visa issued for this purpose. They’ll need a confirmed job offer and proof that the vacancy cannot be filled by an EU national or another international worker who applied first. Work permits are typically granted for a year, but renewal is possible. Highly skilled employees may get a different kind of permit that’s valid for several years.
One of the most common residence and work permits in Germany is the EU Blue Card. This is typically issued to highly skilled non-EU nationals who have a university degree recognized locally. As of November 2023, the applicable minimum gross annual salary has been lowered to EUR 43,800 from the previous EUR 58,400. Whereas, for STEM occupations – including scientists, mathematicians, engineers, doctors and IT specialists – the minimum gross annual salary has been lowered to EUR 39,682 from the previous EUR 45,552. The German authorities have also announced that IT specialists who do not have a university degree may be eligible for an EU Blue Card as long as they can prove that they have at least 3 years of comparable professional experience.
Future changes will be implemented in 2024.
Application process
Obtaining a working visa in Germany typically requires the following steps:
- Getting a job offer
- Checking for visa requirements for long stays
- Submitting a visa application
- Collecting all the required documents
- Making an appointment for a visa interview
- Paying the German Employment Work Visa fee
- Attending the interview
- Waiting for a response on the application
An employee has to submit several documents to the German embassy or consulate in their country of residence to show that they fulfill all the right conditions for an employment visa, including proof of residency, proof of qualification, a personal cover letter, and a binding job offer. Keep in mind that the typical fee for a long-stay visa in Germany is EUR 75.
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For this particular location, G-P may offer support processing certain work visas and permits. Contact us today to assess your specific needs.