German Work Visa

Germany is one of the best European countries that offer tremendous job opportunities to the ambitious crowd because of a significant shortage of skilled labor among its citizens. Approximately 60,000 persons received work permits in 2021. Among all of the European countries, Germany has the most to offer as far as work in the fields of Science, Engineering, and Technology are concerned. Additionally, most German companies pay generously, and the work-life balance is given a lot of importance. By working in the country, workers can be assured a high-quality living, safety, and a no-stress visa process.

Types of Work Visas and Permits and Their Validity

General Work Permit

If a non-EU citizen finds a job position in Germany that cannot be filled by an EU person, they are eligible to apply for this visa.

Highly Skilled Worker Permit

This visa is intended for highly trained professionals who have a set salary and a lot of expertise in their fields, such as teachers, doctors, and other professionals.

EU Blue Card for Germany

This permit is intended for highly qualified individuals making €56,400 annually. However, if they are employed in a German occupation where there is a shortage, their pay may be € 43,992.

Work Permit for Freelancers

This permit is intended for self-employed individuals or freelancers who wish to create their own businesses in Germany.

Jobseekers

This visa is intended for people who wish to travel to Germany in search of employment.

Au Pair

The permit can be applied for by young people who want to visit the nation to learn about the German language, culture, and society, among other things.

Working Holiday Visa

This visa allows citizens of Argentina, Australia, Chile, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Uruguay to travel to and work in Germany for a set amount of time.

Who Needs to Apply for the Work Permit?

Candidates from all countries must have a permit and/or visa to work in Germany. There are a few exceptions to this rule, though. After arriving in Germany without a visa, citizens of the following nations may apply for a residence permit to allow them to work there. However, for these nationals to begin working as soon as they arrive in Germany, they must also obtain a work permit first. These countries are:

• EEA/EU member states
• The United States of America
• Australia
• Canada
• Israel
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Switzerland
• The Republic of Korea

Cost of Germany Work Permit

The fees related to work permits in Germany are displayed in the table below:

Service	Fees
Short-stay visa (adults)	€80
Short-stay visa for children (6-12 years age)	€40
Citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia	€35
Long-stay visa (adults)	€75
Long-stay visa for children (under 18 years)	€37.5

Steps to Applying for a German Work (Employment) Visa

Getting a Job Offer

When traveling to Germany for three months or less for work, the candidate must first ascertain whether they require a visa to enter the country. However, if citizens of the exempted nations intend to work in Germany for longer than three months, they must register. All other nationals of non-exempted countries are required to apply for a visa.

The candidates need to apply for jobs with German-based employers to be granted a visa. The employer will extend a job offer to the employee if it is accepted.

Gathering the Required Documents and Beginning the Application Process

The individual can begin the work visa application procedure as soon as they receive an offer of employment. First and foremost, they need to collect the necessary documents.
Documents Required While Applying for German Work Visa:

• Signed and Completed Application form.
• Passport (with a validity of minimum 6 months).
• 2 recent photographs with a light background.
• Demand Draft for the visa application fees addressed to "Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, ( the City of Consulate, example: NY)."
• Employment offer letter.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Mark sheets, certificates, and other relevant supplementary documents.
• Travel and Health Insurance.
• Document which asserts a clean criminal record.
• Minimum of 2 photocopies of the above-mentioned documents.
• Declaration of credibility of the submitted documents.

The next step for the candidates is to locate the closest German Embassy or Consulate and make an appointment for the visa interview. The visa application form needs to be completed as well.

Attending the Interview

Candidates need to provide the necessary documentation and appear on time for their appointments. After interviewing the applicant, the consular official will decide whether to approve or reject their application. Candidates must pay the application fee on the same day.

Waiting for the Decision

It could take one to three months to process the application after the interview. The consulate will let the candidate know via their preferred method of contact if any more documents are needed. After their application is accepted, candidates can plan their trip to Germany and pick up their passports from the embassy.

Upon Arrival in Germany

The candidate will need to arrange for housing upon arrival, register their residence with the local office of resident registration, and obtain health insurance. After that, they must make an appointment with Ausländerbehörde, gather the necessary paperwork, finish the application for a work permit and residency, and show up for the interview on the scheduled day. It will take a few days after that to receive the decision. Once the candidate has the permit, they can only begin working once. The duration of the permit is typically equal to the duration of the employment contract.

Renewing the Work Permit

If they have both a valid work permit and a valid employment contract, foreign nationals with work permits in Germany may apply for renewal. The candidates must schedule an appointment with the Ausländerbehörde before submitting an application for renewal. The candidates must bring the necessary paperwork to the interview on the day of the appointment and pay the necessary fee. They will then have to wait to hear back on their application. If their application gets approved, they can continue working in Germany.
Documents Required While Applying for Work Permit Renewal

• A valid passport
• A valid employment contract
• Biometric photograph
• Proof of qualification
• Fee receipt
• Proof of residence
• Curriculum Vitae

Entry of Dependents

Germany offers a Family Reunion Visa for holders of foreign work permits who wish to bring family members into the nation. Spouses or registered partners, children, and parents may join a family member living in Germany. In certain circumstances, other relatives may also be able to attend, however obtaining a visa may prove to be difficult.

Applying for this visa is comparable to applying for any other type of visa. The family members must first get a list of required documents from the German embassy or consulate that is closest to them. Once they have assembled all the documentation listed on the checklist, they need to make an appointment with the German consulate or embassy. The candidate needs to bring the required paperwork and pay the required amount on the day of the appointment. The candidate will have to wait a few weeks or months for the consulate officer to decide on their application after the interview.

Some Things to Remember

In certain cases, even citizens of the aforementioned exempted nations may need to apply for a visa if they have a high volume of applications for residency permits.

Make sure the copies that have been translated into German are attached when submitting the original documents.

To appear for the interview, candidates must adhere to the formal dress code.

Applicant permission from ZAV is required to guarantee that EU nationals are not eligible to fill the position.

For candidates to work in the nation, they must also obtain health insurance.