For anyone looking to move abroad for work, a Germany work visa will open many doors to Europe.
Maybe you have already been to Germany on vacation before, and liked it so much, you have decided to pursue a professional career there. Or maybe you have family there, or even met someone from there and you would like to start a life together.
Whatever your reason for wanting to apply for a Germany work visa, it’s important that you get well acquainted with all the requirements. This make takes a few days of reading and calling, but it is well worth the effort in the end. The Germans like their paper work to be in order, so the more prepared you are, the bigger chance that your application for a Germany work visa will be accepted.
Who Can Apply For a Germany Work Visa?
Germany ranks number 7 on the list of hardest working Europeans, and are renowned for their ability to focus and work hard during office hours, and unwind after hours. When it comes to taking up employment in Germany, the rules actually vary quite a bit depending on what country you are from. If you are a citizen of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand or the USA, you are actually allowed to enter Germany without a visa, and you can freely apply for a residence permit that automatically gives the right to work (aka a Germany work visa). If you are a citizen of Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Switzerland or any EU country, you have full access to the German labor market, and you don’t need any visa.
If you are a citizen of another country, on the other hand, you will need to apply for a Germany work visa in advance and probably from your own country. Since 2005,the temporary residence visa also gives the right to work in Germany, which means applicants get more rights in one single visa. The work visas depend on what type of residency permit you get in Germany, and there are three different employment type visas to choose from:
- General employment
- Specialized employment
- Self-employment
It ‘s in general not possible for someone to get a Germany work visa for any type of employment that does not require professional qualifications. The permits are given to professionally qualified people with a special appropriateness for the job in question.
In addition there is a special permit for people who are self-employed or seeking to start a business in Germany. This visa is valid for 3 years, and can be further extended if the business is a success. To apply for this type of Germany work visa, there are certain aspects you need to prove;
- that the business will fulfill a need in Germany
- that it will benefit Germany financially
- that it is fully financed by a bank loan or your own funds
In addition you will need to present a feasible business plan and prove applicable experience. The usual minimum is an investment of 1 million Euros and the prospect of creating 10 jobs.
Freelancers have to show that there is a need in Germany for the services they offer, that they hold the necessary qualifications, and that they can finance themselves.
Germany Work Visa Requirements:
The requirements naturally differ according to your nationality and what type of visa/permit you are applying for. The details may vary greatly, and because of it, we unfortunately can’t give a list of requirements like we usually do. The general requirements for any visa is as follows:
- Passport and passport copy
- Passport photos (bring 2 or more)
- Proof of paid visa fee
- Any additional documents (these can be job contracts, university degrees, diplomas, etc. all depending on where you are from and the type of Germany Work Visa you are applying for)
- Apply at the embassy in person
Germany Work Visa – How to Apply For a Job in Germany:
Germany is a different country in many ways. It’s known for being organized and bureaucratic, which means you will have to step up your game when applying for work. Usually you will need to submit the following for your job application:
- CV
- Cover letter
- Copies of diplomas, certificates and leaving certificates from schools and universities (these need to be translated by an authorized translator)
- proof of relevant professional training or courses
- references
- sometimes a passport photo is also required with your CV
Make sure your cover letter really stands out, and unless the job you are applying for does not require you to speak German, cover letter and CVs should be submitted in German. When you have your Germany work visa, it’s important that you make use of it!
If you are lucky and get called in for an interview, there are a few things you must remember:
- don’t be late
- dress formally
- read up on the company before hand
- Be polite, but honest and to the point
And you will do fine!
Getting a Germany work visa has many benefits you can’t find elsewhere. You have equal rights in terms of working conditions, social security, wages, trade union memberships and more. Once you hold a residency permit, your family and immediate dependents have the right to come with you, and will benefit from the same rights, even without speaking German.
We hope you found this article helpful in your pursuit for your Germany work visa! We do our best to keep all of our visa articles up to date, but we can’t guarantee that the information is 100 % applicable at all times. Make sure you always check the requirements for your situation and in your country specifically before you launch your application for German Work Visa!
Let us know how your experience applying for a Germany work visa was in the comments below! Good luck!
