Understanding the ICT Card Germany: A Guide for HR Professionals (2026)

What is the ICT Card Germany?

• The ICT Card is a temporary residence permit for non-EU employees transferred within the same company or corporate group to a German branch. It applies to three roles: Manager (managers), Spezialisten (specialists), and Auszubildende (trainees). Per BAMF, managers direct operations or departments, specialists possess rare expert knowledge, and trainees are graduates in supervised training programs. The permit is valid for up to three years for managers and specialists, and one year for trainees, ensuring compliance with German labor standards while supporting intra-company mobility. For HR, mastering this permit is essential for legal compliance and efficient relocation.

Eligibility Criteria for the ICT Card Germany

To qualify for the ICT Card, employees must meet these criteria:

• Employment Duration: Employed by the company (outside the EU) for at least six months prior to transfer, as confirmed by BAMF FAQs.
• Role: Assigned as a manager, specialist, or trainee in the German branch, with roles clearly defined (e.g., specialists need expertise critical to the company).
• Company Affiliation: Transfer must be within the same company or group of undertakings (Unternehmensgruppe).
• Duration: Assignment must exceed 90 days and not surpass three years (or one year for trainees).
• Salary Standards: Compensation and conditions must match those of comparable German employees (vergleichbare deutsche Arbeitnehmer), per German labor law. While the ICT Card has no fixed minimum salary threshold, parity must account for 2026 adjustments to social security contribution ceilings, which indirectly influence benchmark calculations for residence permits.

Citizens of countries like the UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, and the US may enter Germany visa-free for 90 days and apply for other residence permits post-arrival. However, for intra-corporate transfers exceeding 90 days, the ICT Card is typically required unless a different permit (e.g., EU Blue Card, with its updated 2026 salary thresholds of €50,700 general and €45,934 for shortage occupations) applies. Verify country-specific rules on the Federal Foreign Office website.

Application Process for the ICT Card

Guide your employee through these steps:

1. Pre-Approval (Optional): Coordinate with the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) for pre-approval (Vorabzustimmung). Though optional, it can expedite processing.
2. Visa Application: The employee applies for a national D visa at the German embassy or consulate in their home country, booking via the Federal Foreign Office visa portal.
3. Arrival in Germany: Within two weeks of arrival, they must register their residence (Anmeldung) at the local Meldebehörde (details vary by municipality; check Germany’s official portal).
4. Residence Permit: Apply for the ICT Card at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) within three months of arrival. Schedule early via the BAMF office locator.

For a detailed breakdown, visit Make it in Germany.

Requirements and Documents Needed

Prepare these documents for a successful application, aligned with BAMF guidance:

• Valid Passport: Issued within the last 10 years, with at least two blank pages.
• Application Form: Completed VIDEX form, signed twice (available at VIDEX).
• Passport Photos: Two biometric photos, taken within the last six months.
• Employment Contract: Valid for at least six months prior to transfer, detailing role, duration, and salary.
• Assignment Letter: Specifies job description, workplace, hours, and salary in Germany (BAMF notes this must reflect the intra-corporate transfer purpose).
• Health Insurance: Proof of coverage equivalent to German public health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung), with reasonable deductibles and no age-based termination.
• Qualifications: Copies of relevant academic or vocational credentials (e.g., degree for trainees, proof of expertise for specialists).
• Pre-Approval (if applicable): From the Federal Employment Agency.

The Ausländerbehörde may request additional documents, so keep originals handy. See BAMF’s residence permit guide for more.

Where to Apply and Appointment Details

• Outside Germany: Start at the German embassy or consulate in the employee’s home country. Find and book appointments via the Federal Foreign Office locator.
• In Germany: Apply at the local Ausländerbehörde post-arrival. Contact them immediately via the BAMF office locator, as wait times differ by city (e.g., Berlin vs. Munich).

HR Tip: Equip employees with a checklist and embassy contacts from the Federal Foreign Office to simplify the process.

Salary Levels for ICT Card Holders

There’s no fixed minimum salary, but compensation must align with German standards for similar roles to comply with labor laws and avoid undercutting local workers, as per BAMF FAQs. Note that while ICT remains exempt from absolute thresholds, 2026 increases in social security caps (e.g., for pension insurance) may elevate effective parity benchmarks—check industry data on Make it in Germany.

Processing Time and Fees

• Processing Time: The visa and ICT Card process typically takes 4-10 weeks from submission. Pre-approval can shorten this to as little as 10 days, though delays may occur if documents are incomplete.
• Fees: The visa fee remains €75 (payable in local currency, plus possible service fees), and the ICT Card permit fee is €100. No adjustments were made in 2026; confirm current rates with the Federal Foreign Office or BAMF.

Additional Important Information

• Mobility: The ICT Card permits short-term work (up to 90 days in 180 days) in other EU countries without a separate permit. Longer stays require a Mobile ICT Card, per BAMF FAQs (see BAMF’s mobility rules).
• Cooling-Off Period: After expiration (three years for managers/specialists, one year for trainees), a six-month gap is required before reapplying, as mandated by the EU Directive.
• Family Reunification: Dependents (spouse, minor children) can join if they meet conditions like sufficient living space and income; include their documents in the initial visa application per Federal Foreign Office guidelines. BAMF confirms dependents get equivalent permits for the same duration.
• Post-Arrival Compliance: Employees must register with the Meldebehörde within two weeks (check Germany’s official portal) and secure health insurance (Krankenversicherung) upon arrival.

Why HR Should Care About the ICT Card

The ICT Card streamlines global talent mobility, ensuring compliance with German immigration laws (Aufenthaltsrecht). It’s a strategic asset for deploying key personnel without permanent relocation or local contracts, especially amid 2026's tightened rules for other skilled worker visas like the EU Blue Card. Collaborate with your legal or relocation team to manage this process effectively. For more support, explore BAMF.

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