Germany
Germany is the EU's largest economy, offering an excellent infrastructure, a clear path to permanent residency for skilled professionals, and strong worker protections.
For information only. Visa rules, processing times, and eligibility criteria change frequently. All information on this page is sourced from official government websites and verified as of the date shown. Always confirm your specific situation with the relevant embassy or a licensed immigration lawyer before applying. Full disclaimer ↗
Visa & Immigration Guide for Germany
This guide covers all main visa routes for non-EU professionals moving to Germany, including eligibility requirements, processing times, fees, and step-by-step application instructions.
Applying from your home country:
Not a degree holder? You're still welcome.
Germany has dedicated visa routes for trade workers, care workers, seasonal workers, and apprentices — no university degree required. The visa types table below includes EU Blue Card, Skilled Worker Visa (§18a/§18b), Opportunity Card, Experienced Worker (§19c(2) + §6 BeschV), Vocational Training (§16a), and Family Reunification — expand each row for steps and official links.
Visa Types at a Glance
| Visa type | Who it's for | Typical processing | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU Blue Card | If you earn a certain minimum salary, you are legally entitled to be issued an EU Blue Card. | ~2–4 weeks | €75 |
| Skilled Worker Visa (§18a/§18b) | As a University graduate, you can in principle work in any qualified employment. | ~4–6 weeks | €75 |
| Opportunity Card | Candidates from non-EU countries can enter Germany to look for a suitable job. | ~4–8 weeks | €75 |
| Experienced Worker (§19c(2) + §6 BeschV) | Even if you do not have a professional qualification that is formally recognised in Germany, it is possible to immigrate to Germany to work on the basis of professional experience. | ~4–6 weeks | €75 |
| Vocational Training (§16a) | It is possible for you to come to Germany and learn an occupation here. | ~1–2 months | €75 |
| Family Reunification | Spouses, registered partners and minor children have as a matter of principle the possibility to accompany third-country nationals to Germany, or to join them there. | ~3–16 months | €75 |
Typical processing is the time from a complete application to a decision, as published by several German embassies and consulates (for example London, Singapore, Dhaka, Canada, Hong Kong and Nairobi). It does not include the wait for an appointment, which varies a lot by country. With the accelerated skilled-worker procedure (fee €411), the appointment is within 3 weeks and the decision within 3 weeks, as a rule.
Detailed visa guides
Min. salary
€50,700
Typical processing
~2–4 weeks
Typical fee
€75
Step-by-step process
- 1 Register securely on the portal by creating a user account
- 2 Simply enter your details and upload your documents
- 3 use the Consular Services Portal to schedule an appointment at your mission or with the relevant external service provider
- 4 present the original documents specified in the system, provide your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) and pay the application fee
- 5 apply for a residence permit from the relevant immigration authority within the validity period of the visa
Min. salary
€55,770
Typical processing
~4–6 weeks
Typical fee
€75
Step-by-step process
- 1 Register securely on the portal by creating a user account
- 2 Simply enter your details and upload your documents
- 3 use the Consular Services Portal to schedule an appointment at your mission or with the relevant external service provider
- 4 present the original documents specified in the system, provide your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) and pay the application fee
- 5 apply for a residence permit from the relevant immigration authority within the validity period of the visa
Min. salary
€1,091
Typical processing
~4–8 weeks
Typical fee
€75
Step-by-step process
- 1 Register securely on the portal by creating a user account
- 2 Simply enter your details and upload your documents
- 3 use the Consular Services Portal to schedule an appointment at your mission or with the relevant external service provider
- 4 present the original documents specified in the system, provide your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) and pay the application fee
- 5 apply for a residence permit from the relevant immigration authority within the validity period of the visa
Min. salary
€45,630
Typical processing
~4–6 weeks
Typical fee
€75
Step-by-step process
- 1 Register securely on the portal by creating a user account
- 2 Simply enter your details and upload your documents
- 3 use the Consular Services Portal to schedule an appointment at your mission or with the relevant external service provider
- 4 present the original documents specified in the system, provide your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) and pay the application fee
- 5 apply for a residence permit from the relevant immigration authority within the validity period of the visa
Min. salary
€959
Typical processing
~1–2 months
Typical fee
€75
Step-by-step process
- 1 Register securely on the portal by creating a user account
- 2 Simply enter your details and upload your documents
- 3 use the Consular Services Portal to schedule an appointment at your mission or with the relevant external service provider
- 4 present the original documents specified in the system, provide your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) and pay the application fee
- 5 apply for a residence permit from the relevant immigration authority within the validity period of the visa
Typical processing
~3–16 months
Typical fee
€75
Step-by-step process
- 1 Register securely on the portal by creating a user account
- 2 Simply enter your details and upload your documents
- 3 use the Consular Services Portal to schedule an appointment at your mission or with the relevant external service provider
- 4 present the original documents specified in the system, provide your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) and pay the application fee
- 5 apply for a residence permit from the relevant immigration authority within the validity period of the visa
General document requirements
- ✓ Register securely on the portal by creating a user account
- ✓ Simply enter your details and upload your documents
- ✓ use the Consular Services Portal to schedule an appointment at your mission or with the relevant external service provider
- ✓ present the original documents specified in the system, provide your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) and pay the application fee
- ✓ apply for a residence permit from the relevant immigration authority within the validity period of the visa
- ✓ Register securely on the portal by creating a user account
- ✓ Simply enter your details and upload your documents
- ✓ use the Consular Services Portal to schedule an appointment at your mission or with the relevant external service provider
- ✓ present the original documents specified in the system, provide your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) and pay the application fee
- ✓ apply for a residence permit from the relevant immigration authority within the validity period of the visa
- ✓ Register securely on the portal by creating a user account
- ✓ Simply enter your details and upload your documents
- ✓ use the Consular Services Portal to schedule an appointment at your mission or with the relevant external service provider
- ✓ present the original documents specified in the system, provide your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) and pay the application fee
- ✓ apply for a residence permit from the relevant immigration authority within the validity period of the visa
- ✓ Register securely on the portal by creating a user account
- ✓ Simply enter your details and upload your documents
- ✓ use the Consular Services Portal to schedule an appointment at your mission or with the relevant external service provider
- ✓ present the original documents specified in the system, provide your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) and pay the application fee
- ✓ apply for a residence permit from the relevant immigration authority within the validity period of the visa
- ✓ Register securely on the portal by creating a user account
- ✓ Simply enter your details and upload your documents
- ✓ use the Consular Services Portal to schedule an appointment at your mission or with the relevant external service provider
- ✓ present the original documents specified in the system, provide your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) and pay the application fee
- ✓ apply for a residence permit from the relevant immigration authority within the validity period of the visa
- ✓ Register securely on the portal by creating a user account
- ✓ Simply enter your details and upload your documents
- ✓ use the Consular Services Portal to schedule an appointment at your mission or with the relevant external service provider
- ✓ present the original documents specified in the system, provide your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) and pay the application fee
- ✓ apply for a residence permit from the relevant immigration authority within the validity period of the visa
Experienced Worker (§19c(2) + §6 BeschV)
Even if you do not have a professional qualification that is formally recognised in Germany, it is possible to immigrate to Germany to work on the basis of professional experience.
- At least two years of professional experience gained in the last five years that qualifies you for the job
- A foreign professional qualification that is state-recognised where it was obtained and required at least two years of training (or a recognised foreign university degree, or a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad qualification; not required for IT occupations)
- Gross salary of at least €45,630 per year, unless the employer is bound by a collective agreement and pays those terms
📊 Real Migration Numbers
Visa processing time
Based on 6 submissions to Germany
would make the same move again
Based on 6 submissions to Germany
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