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🇩🇪How to get a work visa in Germany

Germany is the largest job market in the EU for skilled migrants. Most graduates with a job offer go through the EU Blue Card; others use the skilled worker visa, and the Opportunity Card lets you come first and look for work.

See 785 sponsored jobs in GermanyCheck if an employer sponsors

Visa routes

EU Blue Card

University graduates with a job offer that pays above the threshold

Salary
€48,300 a year, or €43,759.80 in shortage jobs (IT, engineering, health) and for new graduates
Processing
Often 1 to 3 months, faster through the employer's fast-track procedure
Permanent residence
Permanent residence after 27 months, or 21 months with B1 German

Skilled worker visa (§18a / §18b)

People with a recognised degree or vocational qualification

Salary
No fixed minimum in most cases; must match comparable German pay. Over-45s need about €53,130 or a pension
Processing
1 to 3 months after qualification recognition
Permanent residence
Permanent residence after 3 years

Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)

Job seekers who want to come first and find work in Germany

Salary
Proof of about €1,091 a month to support yourself
Processing
Several weeks to a few months
Permanent residence
Switch to a Blue Card or skilled worker permit once hired

Figures as published in 2025. Thresholds change, usually every year: always confirm on the official sources below before you apply.

Step by step

  1. 1Check your degree in the anabin database and get it recognised if needed
  2. 2Find an employer and sign a contract that meets the salary rule
  3. 3Book a visa appointment at the German embassy, or ask your employer to use the fast-track procedure
  4. 4Enter Germany, register your address (Anmeldung) within 14 days
  5. 5Collect your residence permit from the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde)

Documents you usually need

  • Passport
  • Signed employment contract or job offer
  • Degree certificate and anabin or ZAB recognition

Tips

  • Tech roles can qualify without a degree if you have 3 years of IT experience in the last 7 years
  • Ask the employer to start the fast-track procedure (beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren); it shortens embassy waits
  • German is not required for the Blue Card, but B1 cuts the time to permanent residence

Latest sponsored jobs in Germany

See all
Deliveroo logo

Senior Software Engineer, Event Streaming Systems

DeliverooVerified sponsor·🇩🇪 Germany

1d ago
EU Blue Card

Questions

Do I need to speak German to work in Germany?

Not for the EU Blue Card, and many tech and research jobs are in English. German helps for day-to-day life and shortens the route to permanent residence.

Can my family come with me?

Yes. Blue Card holders can bring a spouse and children, and the spouse can work without a separate permit.

Official sources

  • Make it in Germany (federal government)
  • anabin degree database

Other countries

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