Germany offers countless opportunities and job prospects not only for the German citizens but also for the nationals for third-world countries. This marvelous land of innovations and great inventions is ranked at the fourth position in the list of world’s largest economies. Moreover, many known companies and reputed corporates are based in Germany. The availability of several big enterprises offers many job prospects for the non-German people, and they can find a suitable job in Germany and settle there.
The Employment Visa to Germany is an excellent chance for the eligible foreigners to find a job relevant to their field and settle there for enjoying an enhanced quality life. The visa allows the holders to enter the country and work there for as long as two years. Besides, there is also a possibility of visa extension. Later, the employment visa holders can also apply for different types of residence permits including the EU Blue Card.
Types of Long-Stay Visa for Employment in Germany
For those who want to work in Germany for a long term, there are some options in Long-Stay work visas. You can choose any of the following options.
Employment– It is for those applicants who already have a job offer from Germany.
Self-Employment– It is for such candidates who want to run their business in Germany. Besides, those who intend to work as freelancers can also apply under this visa category as freelancing comes under self-employment.
Job Seeker– The candidates who don’t have a job offer in Germany but want to find one should apply for the job seeker visa which will allow them to enter the country and find employment.
Working Holiday Visa– It is for the youngsters of several different countries who have duly made agreements of working holiday visas with Germany.
Working as Au Pair– It is for the young adult individuals who wish to explore the German culture and want to learn more about the German language.
Who needs to apply for a German Working Visa?
Those who are the citizens of below-mentioned countries can easily apply for acquiring residence permit for the purpose of employment once they enter the country without their visa.
- EU member states of the USA
- Australia
- Canada
- Israel
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Switzerland
- The Republic of Korea
Besides, the citizens of the remaining third-world nations are needed to acquire a work visa before moving to Germany.
Eligible Categories for German Employment Visa
Every foreign national can apply to acquire a German working visa if he/she meets the Germany work conditions.
As per the Act on Residence which manages the foreigners’ residence issues in Germany, following are the major categories that qualify to apply for acquiring a German Work visa.
Highly-Qualified Foreigners
This category includes skilled researchers having the top-class technical knowledge and qualified teaching personnel and scientific personnel in some prominent fields.
Intra corporate transferees
These include specialists and managers in various different fields.
Along with these, the individuals from the third-world countries having a university degree or (non-academic) vocational qualification which meets the below-mentioned conditions can also apply for the Germany Employment visa.
- You have been offered a job in Germany.
- Your educational qualification is equivalent to a German degree.
- There is a lack of skilled and qualified workers in that particular profession in which you want to work in Germany.
How to apply for Germany Employment Visa?
If you are applying for a visa for the very first time, you must know the whole process in detail. Following is a simple, step-by-step procedure for acquiring a work visa for Germany.
- Get an offer of a job in Germany.
- Find out whether you need a visa or not for long-stays in Germany.
- Check if you are required to submit the visa application.
- Prepare and gather all the documents as per the instructions of authorities.
- Schedule an appointment for the Employment visa interview.
- Pay for the German Employment work visa fee.
- Attend your in-person interview.
- Patiently wait for a response from the authorities on the visa application.
Documents required for a Germany Employment Visa
For proving your eligibility for the Germany work visa, every candidate will have to submit several different documents to the German consulate or Embassy in your country. Remember that your application will remain incomplete without these documents and authorities may reject your application as well. Hence, in addition to the interview, the timely submission of these documents is fundamentally essential.
Make sure to collect all the documents mentioned below, as per the instructions.
- Two dully completed visa application forms. Remember to sign them both at the end.
- Two recent photographs in passport size
- A valid national Passport
- A proof of your residence. It can be your utility bill or a driving license for proving your residence in the consulate territory where you are applying.
- Your Health insurance. It is an obligatory certificate from the German employer, and it is valid from your employment date. If travel insurance is not already a part of your health insurance, you will have to present distinct travel insurance for the frame of time from your arrival in the country until the beginning of your employment.
- A copy of a binding job offer or an employment contract. It must include the details of your annual gross salary and a complete description of your employment in Germany.
- A copy of approval by the agency of Federal Employment only if applicable.
- Your update Curriculum Vitae including your academic qualifications and job experience.
- Any evidence of qualification. It can be certificates, mark sheets, diplomas any degree.
- A personal cover letter. It should include your purpose and the total period of stay.
- Evidence suggesting that you have no criminal record.
- A proof that you paid the visa fee. The total German Long-stay visa fee is 75Euros.
- The accuracy of information declaration.
Where to apply for German Employment Visa?
If you want to obtain a German employment visa, you must apply for it at any representative body of the country in your state of residence which is responsible for the process of visa admission. It can be any of the following places.
- A German Consulate
- A German Embassy
- An application Center for visas
The German Consulate or embassy situated in your neighboring nation, if there is no German representative body in your own residence country
The consulate or embassy of such a country which is situated in your residence country and to which Germany has outsourced services of visa admission
Processing Time for Germany Employment Visa
The total time of application processing for German Employment visa is usually from 1 to 3 months from the day of your application submission. The exact time taken depends on the total number of applications received by the embassy and your individual situation.
Arriving in Germany for Employment Visa
Once you get your employment visa, you can freely go to Germany. Remember that if you want to acquire a German residence permit, you must complete some processes after your arrival in the country.
You are required to visit the nearest Foreigner Office in Germany. Many of these offices accept the walk-in interview. You just go there, and they will further guide you. Besides, there are some foreigner offices with which the applicants first need to book an appointment for the interview.
Attend the interview and be there on time. Please note that you will have to bring the following docs with you at the time of interview.
- National passport (Valid)
- Residence Permit application form
- Report of no criminal activities
- Two photographs
- Proof of proficiency in the German Language
- Evidence of a job offer
- Confirmation of Health Insurance
The total allowed time period for holding the permit is dependent on the applicant’s employment contract. For instance, if your job contract is for a period of 2 years, your license will also remain valid for 2 years. Moreover, you can extend your visa for as long as you need only if you maintain the employment status.
How to find suitable employment in Germany?
For those who aspire to work in Germany but has not found an appropriate one yet, we have come up with some helpful tips.
You will find many vacant job positions in Germany which are often filled by foreigners. If you have taken professional qualifications, it will not be difficult for you to get a job in Germany.
Here is a simple process to get a job in Germany.
Search for a suitable job Online
Public Job Sites
The German Employment Agency’s International Placement Service has precious information about several opportunities all over Germany. You should check their online portals. Besides, you can call them and email them as well for any advice.
Recruitment Websites
Take assistance from the internet. Multiple online sites offer jobs for foreigners along with Germans. You can explore these sites, find different jobs and see their details to check if you find them appropriate or not.
Sign on a Recruitment Agency
Check out the German Yellow pages, and you will find multiple recruitment agencies. Pay them the fee and sign up for getting better employment opportunities.
Contact companies
Here is another effective method. You can write to the potential companies and ask them if they are hiring new employees.
Apply for job
Once you find suitable employment as per your experience and interest, apply for it by sending your job application. Remember that mostly the companies ask the applicants to bring below-mentioned documents.
- Your resume
- Copies of all the academic certificates
- Your employer testimonials
- Some samples of work
Attend your Job interview
Many companies in Germany offer online interviews where you meet the potential employer via Skype. But, some companies have some rigid policies, and they provide only in-person interviews. So, if the company in which you want to apply does not take skype interviews, you will have to apply for a job seeker visa first. Once you get the German job seeker visa, you can come to Germany and attend your interview. If the employer hires you, you will have to go back to your native country and apply for the Germany Employment Visa.