Germany Work Visas

There are four types of work visas in Germany. Each type has its own requirements, costs, and steps to approval.
It can be tricky to determine which work visa best suits your situation and needs.

An IBN immigration Solutions consultant will assess your case to determine if you qualify for any of the German work visas and then help you complete the application process. Simplifying each step as much as possible so that you always understand the requirements and how to meet them.

EU Blue Card

EU Blue Card visas apply to European Union (EU) residents. They are the most straightforward of Germany’s work visas and are preferred over other, more complex types. Two benefits stand out above the others; exemption from the German language requirement for your spouse or partner and a fast track to permanent residence.

Three of the qualifying criteria are as follows:

1. You need a job offer with a minimum gross annual salary of €56,400 (as of 2022). In some instances, a lower salary may be acceptable. One of our immigration specialists will help you determine if the lower salary applies to you.
2. You must have a university degree that is equivalent to a German bachelor’s degree. The position must be appropriate to your qualification and skills level.
3. You must stay with the same employer for at least two years. You must have approval from the foreigner’s authority if you want to change your employer sooner than that. The change must still be within the blue card’s requirements and conditions.

Qualifying Professionals

In Germany, a qualifying professional’s work visa is an alternative to an EU Blue Card. You must have a recognised university degree or recognised vocational training. The introduction of this category is a result of the new immigration law from March 2022 designed to increase opportunities for skilled workers to immigrate to Germany.

One of the benefits of this German work visa is that it helps South Africans with a National Diploma or whose salaries don’t meet the minimum required by the EU Blue Card.

Three of the qualifying criteria are as follows:

1. You must have a job offer in a field relevant to your qualifications.
2. You must have a recognised university degree or qualifications comparable to qualified vocational training in Germany.
3. The minimum salary requirements usually fall away.

Intra Company Transfer

Intra Company Transfers are available to those who work for an international company or group of companies. You can be transferred from your home country or country of residence to Germany for a limited time. 

Four of the qualifying criteria are as follows:

1. Both companies must belong to the same group and be financially linked by holding shares or through a joint holding.
2. You must have worked for your home company for at least six months before you apply for an intra-company transfer visa.
3. Your salary must be comparable to a similar position in Germany.
4. You must be a specialist, senior manager, or trainee with a university degree equivalent to a similar degree in Germany.

IT Professionals, Specialists, and Others

If you are an IT professional or a specialist in a particular field, you may be eligible for a work permit in Germany. Your employment category must be pre-approved by the German Federal Employment Agency. Types considered include IT professionals and other specialists who don’t require recognised or formal qualifications.

The following three requirements apply to IT professionals:

1. A job offer with a minimum gross annual salary of N$50,760 (as of 2022).
2. At least three years of professional IT experience within the past seven years.
3. Shown proof of German language skills at level B1, unless the language at work is not German.

Qualification requirements for specialists:

Recognition as a specialist depends on job level, practical and professional experience, background, and salary.

The costs for the types of German work visas vary. Your immigration consultant can give you details about the fees that accompany your permit.

Our IBN immigration specialists aim to give you the most accurate cost estimate possible. They thoroughly calculate fees and sundry costs, for example, obtaining a new passport, so you know exactly what to expect and can budget accordingly.

EU Blue Card

Contact IBN Immigration Solutions, and we’ll assign an immigration consultant to go through the German work visa application process with you step-by-step.

1. Confirm that your degree and the tertiary education institution are recognised on the Anabin database. The website is in German, but your consultant will help you get the information you need.
2. Pre-approval from the German Federal Employment Agency is unnecessary. Still, we recommend it because it can improve your chances of a successful application.
3. Your IBN consultant will help you prepare all of the documents and forms necessary to compile a visa application pack.
4. You must submit your work visa application through the German embassy or consulate general in your home country or country of residence. Family members can apply to immigrate to Germany at the same time.
5. You’ll receive a three-month visa when you must move to Germany.
6. Once in Germany, you must register at your local town hall. One of our partners in Germany will go with you to ensure you understand the process.
7. We will then arrange an appointment for you to apply for your final resident and work permit at the local foreigner’s authority. Once again, one of our German partners will accompany you.
8. Typically, your application is approved at the appointment. You’ll receive your electronic residence card within four weeks.

Qualified Professionals

Contact us, and we will assign you an immigration consultant specialising in German applications.

1. Ensure German authorities recognise your qualification. Your consultant will help you with this.
2. Your employer must get pre-approval from the German Federal Employment Agency. Your consultant, together with our partners in Germany, will help you and your employer with this.
3. Your consultant will help you prepare all the forms and documents that must be included in your application pack.
4. Applications are submitted through the German embassy or consulate general in your home country or country of residence. Family members can submit their applications at the same time.

Note: Your spouse may need proof of German language skills at level A1.

5. You’ll receive a three-month visa, during which you must move to Germany.
6. Once in Germany, you must register at your local town hall. One of our partners will go with you.
7. We will then arrange an appointment to apply for your final residence and work permit at the local foreigner’s authority. One of our partners will go with you.
8. You’ll likely get approval at the appointment, and after four weeks, you’ll get your electronic residence card.

Intra Company Transfer

1. IBN will help your employer get pre-approval from the German Federal Employment Agency. We submit the application to the Agency on your employer’s behalf.
2. Your immigration consultant will help you acquire and complete all the forms and documents you need to submit your application for a German work visa.
3. Submit your application pack through the German embassy or consulate general in your home country or country of residence. Your family can submit their applications at the same time.

Note: Your spouse may need to demonstrate German language proficiency at level A1.

4. You’ll get a three-month visa when you must move to Germany.
5. Once your move is complete, you must register at your local town hall. One of our partners in Germany will go with you.
6. Following this, we’ll arrange an appointment for you to apply for your final residence and work permit at the local foreigner’s authority.
7. Your permit is usually approved at the appointment, and you’ll receive your electronic residence card within four weeks.

IT Professionals, Specialists, and Others

1. IBN will help your employer get pre-approval from the German Federal Employment Agency. One of our partners in Germany can help your employer apply directly to the Agency.
2. Your immigration consultant will help you get and complete all of the forms and documents you need to submit your application.
3. You must submit your application through the German embassy or consulate general in your home country or country of residence. Your spouse and dependents can submit their applications at the same time.

Note: Your spouse may need to prove proficiency in German to skills level A1.

4. You’ll get a three-month visa when you must move to Germany.
5. Once in the country, you must register your residence at your local town hall. One of our German partners will go with you.
6. Following this, we will arrange an appointment to apply for your final residence and work permit at the local foreigner’s authority. One of our German partners will go with you.
7. Residence permits are usually approved at the appointment. You must wait approximately four weeks to receive your electronic residence card.