Work visa in Germany: who is eligible and how to apply?

With unemployment falling and the German job market becoming increasingly attractive, many people are turning to Germany to look for work. Obtaining employment and residency status in Germany is entirely possible, provided certain initial procedures are followed.

Visa for job seekers in Germany (Opportunity card)

The Jobseeker's Visa or German Opportunity Card is a type of long-term visa that allows individuals to stay in Germany for a specific period of time and seek employment.

New law 2023: Germany opens its doors to immigration with a "points" system 

Germany is one of the most popular destinations for foreign job-seekers, offering numerous opportunities for talented and qualified individuals. Visit research visa Employment in Germany is one of a number of immigration procedures that allow third-country nationals to enter the country and seek employment within a specific timeframe. At the end of this period, if you have succeeded in finding a job, you can simply apply for a work visa and residence permit.

However, not everyone needs this type of visa to seek employment in Germany. Residents of the EU, EEA, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Canada and the USA can enter Germany to seek employment without having to obtain a visa first. Residents of all other countries, on the other hand, must apply for a job-seeker's visa in order to be allowed to enter Germany.

Please note that if you have already found a job and have a valid contract, you do not need to apply for a job search visa; you can apply directly for a work visa.

What are the eligibility criteria for a job search visa in Germany?

To be eligible for a job search visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• You are a third-country national who needs a visa to enter the country.
• You have at least five years' experience in your profession.
• You have sufficient financial resources to support yourself during your stay in Germany.
• You have proof of having completed academic or professional training.
• Your qualifications are recognized in Germany or equivalent to a German diploma.

Documents required to apply for a job search visa in Germany

You need to prepare several documents for your German job search visa, including :

• Jobseeker visa application form. You must submit a completed and signed application form for your job-seeker visa.
• Valid passport + copy. Make sure you provide a valid passport issued within the last ten years with two blank pages and a minimum validity of three months after your departure from Germany (some embassies may require a longer validity period depending on your nationality).
• Passport-size photos. Provide passport-size photos according to the German embassy's or consulate's visa photo guidelines.
• Proof of accommodation. You must include proof of accommodation during your stay in Germany, such as hotel reservations, rental contracts, or a letter of invitation if you are staying with a friend or family member.
• Proof of financial means. You must also include proof that you have sufficient means to support yourself during your stay in Germany, which you can do by submitting one of the following documents:
  • Proof of a blocked account (Sperrkonto) in your name showing a minimum of e'environ €1000 that can cover your expenses per month.
  • A declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) written by your guest, stating that he will cover all your expenses.
• Proof of valid health insurance. You must also submit proof of valid travel health insurance that meets insurance requirements with a minimum of €30,000 for medical coverage.
• Proof of academic qualifications. You must submit proof of academic and professional qualifications, including your university degreetranscripts, vocational training certificates, etc.
• Proof of diploma recognition. Remember that for a job-seeker's visa, your diplomas and other academic qualifications must be fully recognized in Germany. You can check with the Anabin database here whether your diploma is accepted, or submit a declaration of comparability requested from the Central Office for Foreign Education (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen- ZAB). You can find full details about diploma recognition in Germany for a job search visa here.
• Your CV. Submit a copy of your detailed CV with your personal details, including academic and professional qualifications.
• Cover letter. Provide a cover letter stating your reasons for applying for a job search visa in Germany and what you plan to do if your visa is granted.

How do I apply for a job-seeker's visa for Germany?

To apply for a job-seeker's visa in Germany, please follow the steps below:

• Check that you meet the eligibility criteria.
• Locate your application office.
• Make an appointment.
• Prepare your documents.
• Pay the visa fee.
• Submit your request.
• Collect your visa.
• Enter the country.

Check if you meet the eligibility criteria

Before applying for a job-seeker's visa, you need to make sure that you meet the visa's eligibility criteria. For example, if you are university graduate whose diploma is recognized in Germany, if you have taken the necessary steps to have your diploma recognized, or if you have the required professional experience.

Locate your application office

If you meet the eligibility criteria for a job-seeker visa in Germany, you need to determine where in your country you should submit your visa application. Most likely, you will need to submit your application to an embassy or consulate.

Make an appointment

Once you have located the appropriate embassy or consulate for your job-seeker visa application, you need to make an appointment. Please note that you must make the appointment first, as you cannot visit the embassy or consulate without prior approval. Bear in mind that it may take several weeks before you can get an appointment for your visa application, depending on the workload of the embassy or consulate.

Prepare your documents

While you're waiting for the day of your appointment, you'll need to prepare several documents (you can find the full list below). You must ensure that all documents comply with the embassy's requirements, and some may require German translation and legalization to be eligible for submission.

Pay visa fees

You must also pay the visa fee and enclose the payment receipt with the rest of your application. Please note that your application will not be considered if you do not pay the visa fee.

Submit your request

Finally, on the day of your visa appointment, you can submit your application to the embassy or consulate. You may also be invited to an interview regarding your application. Embassy or consulate staff will most likely ask you why you have applied for a job-seeker visa, what you plan to do in Germany, how long you plan to stay, and so on.

Get your visa

If your visa application is successful, you can collect your visa, enter Germany and stay for the duration of your visa. During this period, you must actively seek employment if you wish to extend your stay. If your visa is refused, you will receive a notification from the embassy or consulate with the reason for your refusal and what you can do next.

Enter the country on a job-seeker's visa

Once you've obtained your visa, you can enter the country and start looking for a job, so that you can apply for a German work visa at the end of your visa's validity period. Please bear in mind that as soon as you enter the country, you must register your temporary address in Germany with your local registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt).

Fees and validity period: factors to take into account

The fee for a German jobseeker's visa is €75, as this is a long-term visa. It is important to note that this fee may change at any time and is non-refundable if the visa application is rejected. Furthermore, the German job seeker visa cannot be extended. If you are unable to find work within the period of validity of your visa, you must return to your country of origin.

In practice, the new law will give qualified foreigners the opportunity to opportunity to look for work in Germany provided they score at least six points on a list of eligibility criteria. These criteria include language skills and qualifications. Eligible candidates will be issued with an "opportunity card", enabling them to cooking for a job on German soil for at least 12 months.

Finding a job in Germany: the ultimate goal of the jobseeker visa

However, if you find a job in Germany during the period of your job-seeker visa, you will not be obliged to return home to apply for a work visa or residence permit, as you can do this in Germany. On the other hand, you are not allowed to take up employment on a jobseeker's visa. Once you have found a job in Germany, you must apply for a residence permit for the job.

All in all, although the application process may seem complex and rigorous, the German job seeker visa can open many doors for those looking to work in Germany. Ultimately, the key to success lies in careful preparation and a clear understanding of the requirements.