Germany Work VISA

A Work permit is mandatory for foreigners who want to work and live in Germany and do not belong to the EU/EEA or Switzerland zone. Depending on your nationality, duration of planned stay in Germany, and the purpose of stay, you will be required to apply for a visa and residence permit for taking up a job. It is vital that you apply for the appropriate visa. In this article, we have discussed the various options available for expatriates to work and live in Germany.

Let us first understand the difference between the work visa and work permit:

Work visas and work permits both are documents giving permission to the holder to work and stay in Germany. EU/EEA nationals /citizens of Australia/Israel/Japan/Republic of South Korea/New Zealand, Switzerland, Canada, and the USA require a residence permit to work in Germany. They can apply for it after arriving in Germany without having an official job offer.

Other nationals shall be issued a work visa before coming to Germany. To get a work visa before traveling to Germany you need an offer for a job in Germany. After traveling to Germany on this kind of work visa, you must immediately apply for a residence permit.

Various work permits available in Germany

1. General employment permit

These permits are issued to individuals who work in occupations that do not require them to possess professional qualifications or skills. You become eligible if the employer is unable to find any other EU/EEA or Switzerland national who can fill in the position. It is issued usually for a year and maybe extended as long as your situation remains unchanged.

2. Spouse/partner/relative with a German work visa

If you plan to join a relative or partner who is legally working in Germany on a work permit, you too are allowed to work in Germany on proving your genuine relationship with the visa holder.

3. EU Blue Cards

 

If you have a university degree and a full-time confirmed job that pays you at least €50,800 – or €39,630 per year then you can apply for a Blue card. The job should specifically be related to a field that has a limited number of employees. This residence permit is issued for 4 years. The family members of EU Blue card holders can live and work in Germany as long as the EU Blue card remains valid.

4. Highly skilled worker permit

 

Highly skilled workers who earn more than €84,600 per year can apply for a settlement permit. Your family members can also work and live in Germany under this permit.

5. Student permit

 

Students who wish to join a professional/ industrial or technical training can apply for a student permit which is a residence permit that will allow the students to work for 10 hours a week. This permit is issued for 2 years or a lesser time period depending on the duration of the course. It is extendable for a year while you search for a job.

6. Self-employed residence permits

 

Individuals who want to set up a business in Germany, they can apply for this permit. It is valid for 3 years and is good for self-employed business purposes. It is extendable provided the business proves to be a lucrative one.

Before you apply for this permit it is recommended that you undertake thorough research. Applicants will have to prove that there is a demand and need for such a business in Germany and it is going to benefit the economy of the country. A viable business plan, financial plan, and relevant experience is a must for this permit.

Freelancers are also covered under this permit. Freelancers are known as ‘catalogue professions’ that include work in the field of engineering, writing, medicine, dentistry, law practice, arts, and teaching. Freelancers need to prove that their skills are required in Germany, they can finance their livelihood by means other than the freelance income, and they are qualified and experienced for freelance work.

7. Scientific researcher permits

If you want to engage in research, you will first need a ‘host contract’ from a recognized research institution. You need to prove your financial security and qualifications through proper documentation. It is issued for a period of one year and it allows you to deliver lectures at your research institution.

Regulations for working on a study visa in Germany:

EU/ EEA/ Switzerland nationals have the freedom to work in Germany while studying. It is limited to 20 hours per week when the semester is on. They can work for 120 full or 240 half days in a year (which includes voluntary work that required

no permits). Students can work more if they have been hired by their university or colleges in the role of assistants, interns, etc. For any other job, students are asked to take permission from the Federal Employment Agency and Alien’s Authority.

Post-Graduate residence permit for non-EU/EEA/Switzerland citizens:

 

This permit offers 18 months to stay back after completion of graduation to students who want to work in Germany and also, it allows them to start searching for a full-time job during this period. You can work in any role and take up any work while you are on this permit before you find a job in the field of your qualification. You need not take permission from the Federal Employment Agency before accepting a job while you stay back for an additional 18 months. The local Alien’s Authority is the right place to apply immediately after you complete graduation from a German university. It is highly advisable that you apply for this Post-graduate residence permit as soon as possible after passing your final exam. In case, students return to their home country after finishing their education, they can apply for a 6 months visa to a German embassy in their country. The conditions for qualifying the visa are:

 

· You should have been awarded a degree

· You should be able to support yourself financially while staying in Germany for the purpose of finding employment

· As soon as you are offered a job you should apply for a residence permit or an EU Blue card