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Last Updated: February 11, 2024

Luxembourg Work Visa

Luxembourg is a country in Europe where individuals can work and live safely. The minimum wage offered in this country is one of the highest in the world, and it attracts foreign individuals to visit the country and stay as long as possible. Around 3,250 individuals traveled to Luxembourg in 2023 to work. Individuals who are EU citizens will not be required to have work visas to live or work in the country. This is the same for Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland residents. People coming from third-world countries outside of the European Union will require a work visa or a residence permit to live and work in the country.

Types of Work Visas and Their Validity

Third-country nationals who wish to apply for a Luxembourg work visa can do so under two programs/regimes depending on their qualification. The two programs are the Blue Card Regime and the Salaried Worker Regime. The Blue Card Regime is for highly qualified workers who wish to migrate to Europe. In contrast, the Salaried Worker Regime applies to workers of all qualifications that fall outside the Blue Card Regime. The latter is entirely dependent on the employer hiring the candidate. The procedures for applying for both regimes are essentially different.

Candidates can take three kinds of work visas while moving to Luxembourg. The types are based on the duration of stay and nature of visit, and the candidate's nationality determines whether or not they need the visa. The different types of work visas provided in Luxembourg are-

Short Stay (Visa C)

This visa allows individuals to stay in the Schengen area for 3 months/90 days if it is an uninterrupted stay or 90-180 days if they stay in stages. It is used by people coming in for business trips, conferences, meetings, and even family visits. Individuals with this visa will not be able to do paid work in the country but can attend business meetings and conferences. The following individuals can visit the nation on a short-stay visa:

Long Stay Visa (Visa D)

This visa allows people to come in from other countries for work or education or to settle permanently. The validity of the visa is for more than three months and is for candidates who will be salaried or self-employed workers, highly qualified workers, and students. The visa application procedure will vary according to the planned activity the candidate wishes to do in the country. The procedure is different for

EU Blue Card

This visa allows third-country nationals who are highly skilled laborers to stay and work for over three months in the country. Though it is similar to a Temporary Residence Permit, the EU Blue card has a longer validity for up to 4 years. Candidates with the EU Blue card can get permanent residence if they maintain their jobs. Not all those who apply can get an EU Blue Card. Due to labor shortages within Europe, the focus is now on people with professions in Mathematics, Informatics, Natural Sciences, Technology, and Medical Sciences.

Who Needs to Apply for the Work Visa?

Non-EU/EEA citizens who wish to work in Luxembourg will require a work visa to live and work in the country. This implies that members of the EU state and countries like Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland do not require authorization to stay and work in the country.

Cost of a Luxembourg Work Visa

The cost of the work visa varies from visa to visa. Candidates between the ages of 6 and 12 will only have to pay a fee of EUR 40. The nationals of the following countries will have to pay a reduced fee (EUR 35) for their work visa- The fee for the different kinds of visas has been mentioned in the table below.
Visa TypeFee
Airport Transit VisaEUR 80
Short Stay VisaEUR 80
Long Stay VisaEUR 50
The candidates who will not have a visa fee if they apply are-

Steps to Apply for a Short Stay Work Visa (C)

Candidates who wish to live and work in Luxembourg will have to apply for the visa themselves with the help of their employer. They must apply to the Immigration Directorate before they leave their country. The application must be sent 15 calendar days before the visit date and should not be sent earlier than six months before the visit.

Gathering the Required Documents

Since the application for the visa has to be personally done by the candidate, candidates need to collect the documents stated on the official website before they start applying.
Documents Required While Applying for Work Visa

Procure Schengen Visa Application and Attach Documents

The documents that had been previously collected must be attached with the Schengen visa application along with two recent and identical identity photos of the candidate.

Complete and Sign the Schengen Visa Application

The offline application for the Schengen visa has to be completed with the necessary details and submitted to the Luxembourg diplomatic mission or consulate in the candidate’s country. If this is not possible, candidates can submit it at the embassy or consulate of the country in the Schengen area, representing Luxembourg, regarding visas.

Steps to Apply for a Long Stay Work Visa (D)

Apply for Temporary Authorization to Stay

Since people who wish to stay and work in the country for over three months apply for a Long Stay Work visa, the first step of the procedure is to apply for temporary authorization to stay there. Once completed, this application must be submitted to the Immigration Directorate of the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

Collect Required Documents

Once candidates have received their temporary stay authorization, they must collect and keep all necessary documents handy. These documents will include a valid passport, temporary authorization, and 2 identity photos of the candidate.

Submit a Long Stay Visa Application (D)

Now, the candidate will be able to submit two copies of the long-stay visa application to the Luxembourg diplomatic or consular mission in their country of residence. They will also be able to submit it to the embassy or consulate of the country in the Schengen area that represents Luxembourg for visa-related matters. This application has to be submitted in person within 90 days of receiving the temporary authorization.

Declare Arrival

Once the candidate has arrived in the country with the necessary documents, they must declare their arrival at the administration of the commune where they plan to stay. This should be done within 3 days of arriving in the country. They will be able to receive a copy of the declaration they made as a receipt for the same, which will act as the work visa and authorization to stay until they receive their residence permit.

Get Medical Check-up

All non-EU salaried workers in the country must have a medical check-up as soon as possible. They will have to take a medical examination and a TB screening, after which they will get a medical certificate. This step is crucial for the residence permit.

Apply for Residence Permit

Candidates will now be able to apply for a residence permit at the Immigration Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. This has to be done within 3 months of arrival in the country. If their application is approved, they will have their biometric test, which will be part of the residence permit.

Visa Processing Time

Candidates should apply for their work visa as soon as they receive their employment contract. The processing time for the visa after the application has been submitted can range anywhere between 4 to 12 weeks. They will not be able to apply for the visa earlier than 3 months before the date of their intended visit but the application must be submitted before 15 working days of the same date.

Renewing Work Visa

A work visa issued to a third-country national will be valid for a maximum of one year. During this duration, candidates can only work for one profession under one employer in a particular sector. The first time a work visa is renewed, candidates will be able to receive a maximum of 3 years, during which they will be able to work in any sector and profession.

Individuals wishing to renew their work visas must apply for the same at the Immigration Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. They will have to apply 2 months before the expiry date of the work visa that they currently hold. The documents that have to be submitted along with the renewal application include-

Entry of Dependents

Dependents of EU nationals with valid work permits are admitted into the nation with their employed family members without needing an application. They must, however, register and declare their arrival in the commune if they plan to stay longer than three months. The worker's spouse may require an entry visa if they are not citizens of the EU.

The dependents must apply for a short-term visa to accompany the worker for no more than three months if both the work visa holder and the dependent are citizens of a non-EU country. However, they must request a temporary authorization or long-term visa (if needed) from the nation's Immigration Directorate if they intend to stay in Luxembourg for longer than three months. As soon as they arrive, they must register with the commune of residence, submit to a medical examination, and apply for a residency visa.

Some Things to Remember



Work Visa

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