Our Special German Course are Given by Native German Teachers!

Germany offers several visa pathways for skilled professionals, categorized mainly by qualifications, salary, and purpose of stay. Here’s a breakdown of the key options effective under the Skilled Immigration Act (March 2024):

1. EU Blue Card:

   • For: Highly skilled non-EU nationals with a recognized university degree and a specific job offer in Germany matching their qualification.

   • Key Requirement: Minimum gross annual salary threshold (adjusted annually). For 2024:

     • €45,300 for most professions.

     • €41,041.80 for shortage occupations (e.g., STEM fields – Mathematicians, Scientists, Engineers, Doctors, IT Specialists).

   • Benefits: Faster path to permanent residency (33 months with B1 German, 21 months with B2 German), easier family reunification, greater mobility within the EU after 18 months.

2. Skilled Worker Visa:

   • For: Non-EU nationals with either:

     • A recognized German or foreign university degree OR

     • A recognized German vocational qualification OR

     • A comparable foreign vocational qualification (requires recognition).

   • Key Requirement: A concrete job offer in Germany matching the recognized qualification.

   • Salary: No specific minimum salary threshold (unlike the Blue Card), but the salary must be commensurate with German standards for the role/region.

   • Language: Generally requires German language proficiency (usually B1 level), though requirements can vary slightly depending on the specific job and recognition process.

3. Opportunity Card (“Chancenkarte”):

   • For: Skilled workers without a concrete job offer yet, who want to come to Germany to search for employment.

   • Basis: A points-based system evaluating:

     • Qualification (degree or vocational training recognized or likely recognizable).

     • Language skills (German and/or English).

     • Work experience.

     • Age.

     • Connection to Germany (e.g., previous stays, spouse’s qualifications).

     • Potential of a spouse/partner.

   • Requirement: Need at least 6 points to qualify. Requires proof of sufficient funds for the stay and basic German (A1) OR English (B2).

   • Benefit: Allows residence for up to 1 year to search for a qualified job. Permits trial work (up to 20 hours/week) or part-time work during the job search. If a qualified job offer is secured, the holder can switch to a regular Skilled Worker or EU Blue Card residence permit.

4. IT Specialist Visa:

   • For: Experienced IT professionals without a formal university degree.

   • Key Requirements:

     • A concrete job offer in IT in Germany.

     • Proven IT expertise through at least 3 years of relevant professional experience within the last 7 years.

     • Salary meeting the local industry standard for the position.

     • German language skills (usually A1 level) and basic knowledge of the German legal and social order.

   • Note: The employer often needs to demonstrate efforts to hire EU/EEA candidates first, but this requirement is frequently waived for qualified IT specialists.

5. Researcher Visa:

   • For: Scientists and researchers with a hosting agreement or concrete employment contract from a recognized research institution (universities, Max Planck institutes, Fraunhofer, etc.).

   • Key Requirement: Focuses on the research project and the host institution’s recognition.

6. Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Card:

   • For: Managers, specialists, or trainee employees transferred within a multinational company from a branch outside the EU to a branch in Germany.

   • Key Requirements: Employment with the company outside the EU for a specific period before transfer (usually 6-12 months), specific qualifications/role, and the German entity must be part of the same corporate group. Limited duration (max 3 years for managers/specialists, 1 year for trainees).

Important Considerations for All Professional Visas:

• Recognition: Foreign qualifications (degrees, vocational training) usually need formal recognition in Germany. The “Recognition Finder” tool on the official “Make it in Germany” website is essential.

• Language: German proficiency is crucial for most roles and visas (except some highly specialized international roles, often in IT/research where English may suffice initially). Requirement levels vary (A1 to B2+).

• Job Offer: Most visas (except the Opportunity Card) require a concrete job offer matching your qualifications.

• Salary: Meeting salary thresholds (Blue Card) or market standards is mandatory.

• Health Insurance: Mandatory coverage from day one in Germany.

• Application: Apply at the German Embassy/Consulate in your home country before entering Germany.

• Residence Permit: The visa allows entry; you must apply for a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) at the local Foreigners’ Office (Ausländerbehörde) in Germany shortly after arrival.