How to obtain a work visa in Germany and what are the required conditions?
A work visa in Germany is a permit granted by the German government to people who wish to work in Germany temporarily or permanently.
By obtaining a work visa in Germany, foreigners are allowed to work and reside in Germany based on a specific job offer, a request to search for a job opportunity, or based on the possibility of self-employment.
The difference between a work visa and a work search visa
In Germany, there is a difference between the German work visa (Arbeitsvisum) and the job search visa (Jobseeker Visa), and this is the difference between them:
Work visa (Arbeitsvisum):
- A work visa is issued to people who have a confirmed job offer from an employer in Germany.
- The employer in Germany must submit an application for a work visa in Germany for the candidate.
- This visa is used to work and live in Germany legally and for a period that depends on the employment contract and residence visa.
- You must have the required documents and certificates that support your professional qualifications and knowledge required for the job.
Jobseeker Visa:
- A job search visa is issued to people who wish to search for job opportunities in Germany without having a confirmed job offer.
- Job seeker visa holders can stay in Germany for a certain period (usually up to 6 months) to search for suitable work.
- Once a job offer is found, your job search visa must be converted to a work visa in Germany by submitting a job application and obtaining a confirmed job offer.
The choice between them depends on your needs and personal and professional situation at the moment.
Read also: Personal sponsorship system for the purpose of working in Germany.
Don't miss out too: New 2024 Work in Germany using the Opportunity Card
1. Work visa in Germany
Nationality: Citizens of European Union member states and certain other countries can work in Germany without needing a special work visa.
Citizens of non-EU countries need to apply for a work contract visa in Germany.
You must have an acceptable job offer from an employer in Germany.
This offer must be binding and appropriate to the type of visa you are seeking.
There are minimum salary requirements that you must have to obtain a work visa in Germany, and this depends on the type of job and the industry.
Your employer must pay you a salary that meets these requirements.
Language requirements also vary depending on the type of job and professional level.
Some jobs may require a good knowledge of German, while English can be sufficient for others.
In some cases, you may need to prove your language level by passing a recognized language test.
In Germany, an employment contract visa allows people to work in a specific job for a specific period. Here is information about the employment contract visa in Germany:
Conditions for obtaining a work contract visa:
- You must have a confirmed job offer from an employer in Germany.
- Your profession and qualifications must be suitable for the position offered.
- The employer in Germany must submit an application for an employment contract for the candidate.
- The candidate can submit a work visa application through the German embassy or consulate in his country.
- Once your work contract visa application is approved, you will be granted a residence permit to work in Germany.
- The duration of the residence permit depends on the type of job and its duration.
- Foreign workers in Germany must join the German health insurance system or obtain private health insurance.
The employment contract visa allows people to work in Germany for a specific period according to the job offer that was submitted.
Submit a work visa application to the German Embassy
Search for job opportunities in Germany and apply for jobs that match your skills and experience.
Once you accept a job offer from an employer in Germany, you will need to obtain a copy of this offer detailing the job, salaries, and work-related conditions.
The steps for submitting a work visa application in Germany are:
- looking for a job.
- Get a job offer.
- Document processing.
- Submission of the application.
- Pay financial fees.
- Interview and identity verification.
- Request processing.
- Receiving the visa.
Read also: Amending a foreign certificate in Germany
Read also: Obtaining permanent residency in Germany
Prepare all the documents required to submit a work visa application. These documents may include a passport, personal photos, job offer, proof of language level if necessary, and any other documents required as the case may be. Submit your work visa application at the local German embassy or consulate in your country. You may also need to appear in person for the interview and identity verification.
Pay the financial fees required to process the visa application. The amount and acceptable payment methods must be verified with the embassy or consulate.
There will be a personal interview with embassy or consulate officials to discuss the details of your application and verify your identity and documents.
The processing time for the visa application will vary depending on the time and current status of the embassy or consulate. The treatment process can take a few weeks to several months.
Once your visa application is accepted, you will receive a work visa in your passport, and you will be able to travel to Germany and work there.
I would like to point out once again the importance of checking the current requirements and procedures for obtaining a work visa in Germany through the local German embassy or consulate, as these procedures may change over time.
Read also
Papers required for an employment contract in Germany
Documents required from the embassy:
It usually includes a set of personal and professional documents, which are:
- Your passport is valid.
- personal photos.
- Biography (CV).
- Cover Letter.
- University degrees.
- Certificate of experience in your field of work.
- Proof of language level
Cost of a Germany work visa:
The cost of a work visa in Germany starts from about 75 euros and increases gradually depending on the type and duration of the visa.
2. Visa for searching for work in Germany
Job opportunities in Germany are one of the most prominent attractions for many job seekers around the world, and a job search visa in Germany represents an important gateway to achieving this goal.
This visa allows individuals the opportunity to search for job opportunities for a period of up to 6 months within German territory, according to a set of conditions and steps that they must follow.
First, those wishing to obtain a job search visa must provide some basic conditions, including obtaining a university degree recognized in Germany, and providing professional experience relevant to the job they are seeking.
In addition to proving their proficiency in the German language at a B2 level at least, providing health insurance to cover their period of stay, as well as providing sufficient funding to support them financially during their stay in Germany.
After providing these conditions, applicants must collect the required documents and fill out the visa application form, then book an appointment at the German embassy or consulate in their country to attend the personal interview.
After paying the visa fees and completing the procedures, if the visa application is accepted, they will be granted an entry visa that allows them to search for work in Germany for a period of 6 months.
During this period, applicants can be active in the German labor market, where they can attend job interviews, network with local companies, and participate in recruitment events, which enhances their chances of obtaining suitable employment and future development opportunities.
In short, a job search visa in Germany is a valuable opportunity for individuals seeking to explore job opportunities and professional development in this country that is witnessing broad economic growth, and represents a new beginning towards a bright professional future.
In short: Conditions for obtaining a job search visa in Germany:
- You must have a university degree recognized in Germany.
- You must have professional experience relevant to the position you are seeking.
- You must prove that you have sufficient knowledge of the German language (at least B2 level).
- You must prove that you have health insurance that covers your stay in Germany.
- You must prove that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Germany (about 10,236 euros per year).
Read also: Book an appointment at the German Embassy
Price of a job search visa in Germany
The price of a job search visa in Germany is an essential element that must be taken into consideration for everyone who intends to travel to this country for the purpose of searching for job opportunities.
The price of a job search visa in Germany is 75 euros, and this includes the basic costs of obtaining the visa.
There will be some additional fees that applicants should consider carefully.
For example, some documents may require translation into German, which may entail paying an additional translation fee.
You must also prove that you have health insurance that covers your stay in Germany, and this may involve paying additional fees to the insurance company.
It is worth noting that additional fees may vary from country to country, so applicants should check updated information from reliable sources such as the website of the German embassy or consulate in their country.
You can also save money by comparing offers from different health insurance companies to determine the best offer for you. It is also advisable to avoid unnecessary additional fees, such as postage or service fees, which can increase the costs of the procedure.
How to find work in Germany?
Searching for job opportunities in Germany requires effort and focus, and it is important to use the right methods to increase the chances of success in finding a suitable job. Here are some steps you can take to achieve this goal:
Searching online is one of the quickest ways to discover career opportunities. You can visit well-known sites such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor, and search using keywords related to your field or skills to browse available jobs.
You can also search for forums and websites specialized in the field of work to increase the chances of finding customized and suitable opportunities.
You can contact local or international recruitment agencies that specialize in employing foreigners in Germany. These agencies may be helpful in directing you towards suitable job opportunities and arranging interviews with potential employers.
Using social media like LinkedIn can also help you build a professional network and search for job opportunities. You should optimize your LinkedIn profile to make it attractive to potential employers.
When you find a suitable job, you must submit your application and follow the instructions mentioned in the job advertisement. Next steps could include preparing a resume and cover letter that highlight your experience and skills well. These steps may be followed by a phone, video, or in-person interview, so you should be prepared for these different types of interviews.
Ultimately, you must be prepared to invest the time and effort necessary to effectively search and apply for suitable jobs.
You may also need to improve your German language skills if this is required for the job you are targeting. By using these strategies, you can increase your chances of success in finding work in Germany.
3. Self-employment visa to Germany
The self-employment visa in Germany is a visa that allows you to live and work in Germany as freelancers.
A self-employment visa in Germany is also known as a self-employed residence visa (Selbständigkeit).
A self-employment visa in Germany provides you with the opportunity to start your own business in one of the strongest economies in the world. It also allows you to live and work in Germany with your family.
Conditions for a self-employment visa in Germany
In order to be able to obtain a self-employment visa in Germany, you must meet the following conditions:
- Be a citizen of a non-EU member state.
- You must have a professional or educational qualification that allows you to work in your field in Germany.
- To have a realistic and reliable business plan that explains how to finance your freelance business and make it successful in the German market.
- Prove that you have sufficient financial resources for yourself and your dependents for at least three months in Germany.
Documents required from the embassy for a self-employment visa:
When applying for a self-employment visa in Germany, you must provide the following documents:
- A valid passport.
- Completely filled out National Visa Application Form.
- Two recent personal photos.
- Proof of payment of visa fees.
- Proof of professional or educational qualification.
- Business plan written in German.
- Proof of financial resources.
You can apply for a self-employment visa in Germany at the German embassy or consulate in the country where you live.
After submitting your application, it will be examined by the German authorities. If your application is approved, you will receive an acceptance letter from the embassy or consulate.
You can then travel to Germany using this letter.
The self-employment visa in Germany is initially issued for one year. It can be extended for one more year, then for another one year, and so on.
After five years of residence in Germany under a self-employment visa, you can apply for a permanent residence permit in Germany.
It may be difficult to obtain a self-employment visa in Germany, especially if you do not have self-employment experience or if your business plan is not realistic and reliable. You may also have difficulty proving that you have sufficient financial resources to live in Germany.
A self-employment visa in Germany is an excellent option if you want to start your own business in Germany.
Renewing a visa in Germany
If you want to stay and work in Germany after your current work visa expires, you must submit an application to renew the visa before it expires. Make sure to follow the required procedures and necessary documents to renew the visa and adhere to the specified deadlines.
- If you decide to change your workplace in Germany, you must update your work and residence visa to reflect your new workplace.
- You need to coordinate with your new employer and local authorities to implement this change.
- You must comply with all conditions and regulations relating to your visa and your situation in Germany.
- Avoid potential violations of immigration and labor laws and providing false information.
To maintain your visa status and residence in Germany, it is always preferable to speak with the local authorities or the relevant immigration office and comply with specific legal procedures and requirements. There may be useful legal advice to help you understand your rights and duties as a work visa holder in Germany.
New work visa in Germany
A new law has been passed in Germany that makes it easier for skilled workers from outside the European Union to obtain work visas in Germany.
This law is known as the Immigration, Employment and Integration Act (Zuwanderungs- und Arbeitsmarkintegrationsgesetz).
To apply for a new work visa in Germany, skilled workers must meet the following conditions:
- They must have a job offer from a German employer.
- They must have a professional or educational qualification that allows them to work in the field specified in the job offer.
- They must have proficiency in the German language at B1 level.
If skilled workers meet these conditions, they can apply for a fast-track visa at the German embassy or consulate in their country of origin. They will need to submit the following documents:
- A valid passport.
- Completely filled out National Visa Application Form.
- Two recent personal photos.
- Proof of payment of visa fees.
- A job offer from a German employer.
- Proof of professional or educational qualification.
- Proof of German language proficiency.
How to book a work visa appointment at the German Embassy
- Go to The official website of the embassy.
- Click on Work Visa
- Fill in the data
- Put in the travel purpose box (job search)
Reasons for refusing a work visa in Germany
Procedures for obtaining a work visa in Germany vary depending on cases and circumstances, but the reasons for refusal of this visa can be divided into several main categories.
First, it relates to the visa requirements themselves, where the applicant must meet all the required criteria.
Second, they include security concerns, such as having a criminal record or suspicion of terrorist activities.
Third, it may relate to immigration concerns, such as having no plan to return to the country of origin after the visa expires, or suspicion of illegal immigration.
Finally, there may be other reasons such as not having a compelling reason to travel to Germany, not being able to communicate in German, or not having health insurance.
To avoid being refused a work visa in Germany, applicants should pay attention to several important points.
You must ensure that all visa requirements are met and that the data provided is correct. Secondly, you should prepare all the required documents carefully and ensure that there is a valid employment contract with a company registered in Germany.
It is also necessary to ensure that there are sufficient financial means to support residence in Germany and to obtain health insurance that covers the planned period of stay.
It is necessary for the visa applicant to be conversant with the German language sufficiently for daily communication and to work in the German work environment.
Conclusion
Here are some important tips to make the most of job opportunities in Germany and achieve your professional and personal goals:
You must always comply with the laws and regulations in Germany. Respect local laws, labor rules, tax and immigration regulations. You need to consult regularly with immigration offices and competent lawyers to ensure compliance with the laws.
Learning German well is an important investment in enhancing job opportunities and interacting effectively with the local community. Make sure to enroll in language learning courses and practice them regularly. Invest in building a strong professional network in Germany. Participate in professional events and industry meetings to meet influential people in your field.
Continuously develop your professional skills. Look for opportunities for training and ongoing learning to improve your employability and increase your productivity.
By adhering to the laws, investing in your own development, and building strong social and professional relationships, you can achieve professional and personal success in Germany and enjoy a unique experience in this country.
