Foreign nationals interested in working in Germany must obtain a work residence permit. Unlike some countries, you don’t need a visa sponsorship for work in Germany. The German gainful employment visa is the preferred option for individuals with university degrees or vocational qualifications. In this guide, I will provide a comprehensive overview of the Germany employment visa process for 2023.
For those seeking job opportunities in Germany, it’s worth noting that in 2021, the German Federal Office issued a total of 304,736 national work visas leading to employment. The country currently offers numerous job openings due to a shortage of skilled workers. Foreign applicants have multiple options in Germany, such as the German Job Seeker Visa and the Germany Opportunity Card. Below, you’ll find the application process details for the Germany Employment Visa in 2023.
Details About Germany Employment Visa Process 2023
- Job Country: Germany
- Residence Type: Germany Gainful Employment Visa
- Visa Type: National Visa (Long Stay)
What is a German Gainful Employment Visa?
The Germany Gainful Employment Visa is designed for individuals who have received a valid job offer from a German employer. If you already have a job offer in hand, you can proceed to apply for the Employment Visa.
What is a German Long Stay Visa?
If you plan to stay in Germany for longer than 90 days, especially for work purposes, you must apply for a Germany Long Stay Visa.
Who does not Need a Visa for Germany?
Citizens from the following countries do not require a Germany Long Stay Work Visa:
1. Nationals of European Union member states, the European Economic Area, and the European Free Trade Association do not need a German visa to work in Germany.
2. Applicants who are citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America do not require a visa to enter Germany. They can apply for a residence permit upon their arrival in Germany.
3. Citizens of all other countries planning an extended stay in Germany must apply for visas at the German consulate or competent authority before arriving in the country.
Occupations that can Apply for a German Employment Visa?
In general, most occupations are eligible for the Germany employment visa, except for nursing, which has a separate visa category.
The most popular fields for employment in Germany include:
- Engineers
- IT
- Scientists
- Lawyers
- Teachers
- Doctors
- Accountants
Germany Work Visa Cost
The Application Fee for the German Long Stay Visa is EUR 75
Processing Time
Visa applications that allow longer stays or gainful employment may require several months for processing.
Visa Duration
The Germany Long-Term Visa is initially issued for one year and can be renewed. The validity of the residence permit depends on the job contract. After 4 years, you can apply for settlement in Germany.
Germany Work Visa Requirements
To apply for the German Long Stay Visa:
- You should have a job offer from a German employer.
- You must possess a vocational qualification or a university degree.
- Your degrees need to be recognized, which involves an “equivalence assessment.”
If you already have a recognized qualification, such as a university degree or vocational qualification, and you have a contract, you can proceed with your work visa application.
Germany Employment Visa Process 2023 (Step by Step)
1. Secure a job offer or find a job in Germany.
2. Ensure that your salary meets the requirements for an Employment Visa.
3. Verify the equivalency of your foreign degree or vocational qualification.
4. Request an appointment at the German embassy and gather all necessary documents, including a valid job contract, passport, and academic degrees.
5. Apply for a visa and pay the visa application fee.
6. Travel to Germany.
7. Apply for a residence permit in Germany.
Application Forms for German Long Stay Visa
You can obtain the application forms for German Long Stay Visas as follows:
1. You can download the application forms for Long Stay work visas for free from the German Federal Office website.
OR
2. It’s advisable to visit the German Embassy website for “Your Country” and download the forms from there.
Useful Websites for Germany
For Visa Information: Visit Here
Job Websites for Germany
- Work in Germany
- Job Listings
- Looking for a Job in Germany
- You can also look for Jobs on German company’s websites.