Apply for a Germany Work Visa
Get a German residence permit for the purpose of employment
You are a German company who wants to offer an employment to an applicant who needs a visa? Or you are an employee and have signed a work contract with a German company? Great! Now it's time to learn about how this works. Scroll down and you will find an explanation on how to apply for the work visa by yourself, or how to get it with one of our expert's support.
Please note that on this website we exclusively describe the process for international employees who want to work in a company that is based in Germany. For freelancers or students who want to work in Germany the visa application processes may vary. Good news: EU-citizens don’t need a working permit. They can travel to Germany, register and start to work without any restrictions!
Digital solution: Apply for work visa by yourself
Applying for a German work visa is no doubt a complex process. There is a lot of contradictory information circulating online. The first step is obtaining a valid employment contract from the German company. After that is done, more paperwork is waiting. Documents must be gathered and translated into German. An appointment must be made at the German embassy – and, if everything works out fine, another one at the foreigner's office in Germany. An interview must be attended for the electronic residence permit (eAt). Challenges await you at every step of the way.
Here is a step-by-step explanation of what you need to do, if you want to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of employment in Germany! Do it yourself online!
Why should I ask an expert to support me?
We will help you avoid making typical mistakes and guide you through the application process efficiently. There are many aspects to consider and double-check to avoid that your application is denied and you have to start all over again. A new application can take months and the job offer or promising candidate may be gone. Time and cost-intensive mistakes can be avoided with the help of an immigration expert.
How does it work?
- Check if the university degree is accepted in Germany. Visit the federal government’s information portal for the acceptance of job qualifications: http://anabin.kmk.org/anabin.html. Unfortunately this website only exists in German. If you cannot find your degree on there, you can get your degrees checked on here: https://www.kmk.org/zab/central-office-for-foreign-education/statement-of-comparability-for-foreign-higher-education-qualifications.html
General information on the topic can be accessed here (in English): https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/en/ - Do you have a job offer or a contract of employment?
A residence title which enables you to work in Germany usually requires the approval of the German Federal Employment Agency (https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/content/1463061695190). To speed up the process, your employer can request an approval ahead of time from the Federal Employment Agency.
In some cases a working visa can be issued without the pre-approval of the Federal Employment Agency (i.e. Blue Card). - Get information on the websites of the responsible German diplomatic representations about the necessary documents (normally these are, contract of employment, university degree or other qualifications for job, CV, application form, pre-approval letter from the Federal Employment Agency).
- Book an appointment to get a visa. Most embassies use an online system, sometimes you have to book the appointment via phone. All relevant information is on the relative website.
- When applying, you have to pay a fee. Right now it’s 75 € for adults. This fee is usually paid in cash in the local currency. Please follow the advice of the diplomatic residence.
- Please pay attention that all your documents and copies or scans are completed. If some documents are missing, the embassy may not accept the application and you have to book a new appointment. In some countries the waiting time can take a couple of weeks.
- After the application, you/ your employee may keep the passport, and the embassy or consulate will notify you via e-mail as soon as the visa can be picked up.
- After your arrival in Germany, you register at the local registration office and schedule an appointment at your local foreigner’s office to apply for an electronic residence title. The fee for that is approximately 100 € per person (and approximately 60 € per child). Please pay attention that all your documents are complete. Otherwise the issuing of your electronic residence title may take longer.
- Once your card has been made (takes about 3 weeks) you receive an information and you can pick it up.
Can’t I do it myself?
Of course you can. This takes a lot of time and patience. German language skills are of advantage, especially when you don’t only have to deal with a German embassy, but with public authorities in Germany. The devil is in the details and the responsibility often lies with the future employer and not the applicant.
How much does it cost?
You only have to pay a fee about 175€ per person (children pay less); 75€ for the visa application in the German embassy, and about 100 € at the foreigner's office in Germany.
Get an expert: Apply for a German work visa
Are you scared of making expensive mistakes in the visa application? You are doubtful about what paperwork you have to gather, and what boxes to tick? Unfortunately, it is not unusual that new employees make some mistakes in their visa application so that they get rejected. After that they have to repeat the process, fill out all forms again, make new appointments at the embassy and foreigner's office, etc. As such, submitting a new visa application may take several months.
In order to avoid mistakes and increase your chances of success: Get an expert now to help you!
We have a 99.1% success rate.
No matter if you are looking to hire international specialists or you are a new employee. Let us guide you through the process. Step by step.
Submit your details now and we can apply for a work visa together.
How it works (short version)
3 Easy Steps
- Fill out the form below. We will then get in touch within 48 hours with an evaluation of your case. If we accept your visa case, we will send you a binding offer and invoice.
- To accept our offer and get support with the visa application process, pay 50% of the service fee. Our personal expert will assist your with your German visa application, step-by-step.
- Once your visa application is successful, you pay the remaining 50% of our service fee.
Pleas see the long version for more details.
How it works (long version)
Step 1: Apply for a work visa / Let your new employee apply for a work visa
Officially, the work visa is called “residence permit for the purpose of employment” and you apply for it at your local German embassy.
- Fill out the form on this website. Provide personal information and why you want to live in Germany. The more information you provide the better. Based on this information our immigration experts will decide if we can help you with your visa application.
- Our immigration expert receives your information and evaluates it. You get a first reply within 48 hours, It will include our feedback, an assessment of your information as well as an offer or rejection of your request to receive visa support. If your request is approved and we will provide support for your work visa application, you will get a payment link. If you accept to use our visa support service, you will pay 50% of the overall service charge to start the process. You only pay the second rate once your visa application was successful.
- Once you have paid, you will receive an invitation to start the visa application process. We will then help you to request approval of foreign university degree certificates (if necessary), prepare for the appointment at the German embassy/consulate in your country, and make an appointment at the German embassy.
Step 2: Get our support with applying for your eAT (German electronic residence title) once you arrive in Germany with your entry visa:
- Our immigration expert will help you register your residence in Germany after you have arrived. You will need this residential registration for your appointment at the foreigner's office.
- You will get support in obtaining a longterm residence permit from the local foreigner's office in Germany (Ausländerbehörde) by filling out official residence permit application forms.
- We will make the appointment for your interview at the local foreigner's office.
- Your personal expert will personally accompany you to the foreigner's office for your residence permit application.
- Once your application for the German electronic residence title is in progress, you will make the second payment to our immigration experts. Please pay this invoice within 7 days of receiving it.
- We will let you know when you can obtain your German electronic residence title, so that you can pick up your residence title at the foreigner's office. Done!
To sum up – What your personal expert will help you with…
- informs you about the conditions and basic information for obtaining a German visa
- explores with you all possibilities for speeding up the visa application
- helps you gather all necessary papers and forms
- checks your paperwork
- supports you in the process of having your qualification and certifications recognised by German public authorities (for example, foreign university degrees)
- provides you with useful hints for dealing with German embassies, if you apply from abroad
- supports you in the process of making an appointment at the embassy
- organises all necessary appointments up to the hand-over of the eAT at the German authorities
- gets in touch with the authorities, if problems arise
Why get an expert to help you?
1. Get someone to guide you through the process step-by-step
Gathering the right type of paperwork for your visa application is challenging. Attending the personal interview at the foreigner's office can be frightening. What to expect? What if something goes wrong? If you choose to get an expert, there is nothing you have to worry about. We will be guiding you through the process of applying for your German work visa. If you have a question, please just give us a ring. We will make sure to offer you personal advice based on our longstanding experience.
2. Benefit from more than 20 years of experience with German visa applications
Why not ask someone who can give you a reliable answer? There is so much contradictory information on the Internet. Every user and every website says something different. Rest assured that our immigration expert can provide you with the right answers to your questions. Benefit from the detailed know-how and practical everyday experiences that our experts have gathered over the past 20 years.
3. Increase your chances of success
Get your money back, if you do not succeed in obtaining a German work visa with our support.* Why are we so confident that we can help you apply for a visa? The reason is that 99.1% of our previous visa applications were successful. Do not underestimate how important it is to get everything right the first time you apply for a visa. Things do not get easier, if you try again and again. Getting help from our immigration expert will ensure that you have the best chances at getting your visa the first time you apply.
How much does it cost?
Visa application fees
If you want to use our visa application service, you will pay in two instalments. The first instalment is at the start of the application. The second instalment is paid before you collect your visa.
Our service fees: from 820,00 Euros for singles and 940,00 Euros for family (prices include 19% VAT)
When do I have to pay?
If you want to apply as a couple or as a family, there is a discount rate. The service fees are to be paid in two instalments. The first instalment is made after you receive a feedback on the information you submit on our website. The team will not start with the work until you have paid the first instalment. You make the second instalment before your visa assistant gives you the exact date and time for the final appointment at the foreigners department where you get your final residence title. You only pay the 2nd instalment, if the visa application was successful. That being said, it is extremely rare that our applications are not successful.
