3-5 months typically; up to 6 months in complex cases. Book embassy appointments early to align with employee relocation timelines.

Must leave after 1 year (or extension); no unemployment benefits. Support job search to convert and retain.

Opportunity Card: No job offer, points-based for search (1 year, part-time). Skilled Worker: Requires offer, recognized quals for immediate full-time work (up to 4 years). Use Card for scouting blue-collar talent, Visa for direct hires.

Part-time/trials only during search; full-time requires conversion to work permit. Job mobility after conversion.

€75 visa fee; €100 residence permit. Recognition €200-600 (employer may cover); no sponsorship fees.

Not directly; time counts toward PR if converted to work permit. After 3-4 years employment/contributions (with A2/B1 German), apply for settlement—faster for blue-collar in shortages.

1 extra point; faster recognition/partnerships for entry. No labor test upon hiring; prioritize for blue-collar talent pipelines.

No formal obligations, but offer part-time contracts (20 hours/week, min. wage) for financial proof. Upon hiring full-time, support conversion to Skilled Worker permit at Foreigners' Office—no BA approval needed for shortages.

Extensions up to 2 more years (total 3) if part-time employed and actively job-seeking, or convert to Skilled Worker/EU Blue Card upon full-time offer matching quals.

No automatic reunification; spouses/children apply separately (spouses need own points). If your employee secures a job and converts to a work permit, family can join then.

Check eligibility via self-tool, then apply online (digital.diplo.de) or in-person at German embassy/consulate: Submit form, docs, biometrics. Visa-free nationals (e.g., US) apply post-entry at Foreigners' Office. No job offer required—focus on points and finances.

While no direct sponsorship needed, assist with: Passport, qualification proofs (translated/recognized via ZAB), language certificates, CV/experience letters, financial proof (blocked account or part-time contract from your firm), health insurance. If sponsoring finances, provide declaration of commitment.

The Germany Opportunity Card is a 1-year residence permit for non-EU skilled workers, including blue-collar professionals with vocational training, to enter without a job offer and search for employment. Benefits include part-time work (20 hours/week), trial jobs (up to 2 weeks), faster conversion to work permits upon hiring, and addressing shortages in trades like nursing—helping your company scout talent proactively.

Minimum 6 points: 4 for partial qualification recognition, 3 for 5+ years experience (2 for 2+ years), up to 3 for German (B2+), 1 for English C1, 2 if under 35 (1 if 35-40), 1 for prior Germany stay (6+ months), 1 for shortage occupation or spouse eligibility. Vocational/blue-collar quals often qualify for partial points.

Your employee needs a recognized vocational qualification (2+ years training) or degree from their home country, basic language skills (A1 German or B2 English), and financial proof (€1,027/month via blocked account). If not fully recognized, score 6+ points on factors like experience, age, and language. Ideal for blue-collar roles in shortages.

Skilled Worker needs job offer + recognized qual for immediate work (up to 4 years); Opportunity is points-based (6+ pts on skills/language) for 1-year job search (20h/week part-time). Use Skilled for sponsored blue-collar; Opportunity for scouting.

6 months to find qual-matched job; notify authorities. With benefits, up to 1 year. Internal transfers help retain talent/avoid revocation.

Visa: €75; residence: €100 (family €100/adult, €50/child). Recognition: €200-600 (employer often covers); no sponsorship fee.

Yes, unrestricted after permit (except regulated professions needing license). Notify Foreigners' Office for first 2 years; new job must meet salary/qual standards.

Perks: Lower salary (€43,759.80), priority recognition/processing, no BA labor test. Expanded list (nursing, trades); check BA for your role to speed hiring.

Apply 8 weeks pre-expiry at Foreigners' Office with updated contract, salary/insurance proof. Up to 4 years or contract length +3 months; no re-qual check if compliant.

Yes, spouses/minors get permits immediately; spouses work with A1 German if needed. No living space/livelihood proof required (post-2024 Act). Submit family docs at Foreigners' Office; parents possible if permit post-Mar 2024.

After 3 years employment/contributions (2 years with domestic training), A2 German (B1 for faster). Clean record; unrestricted settlement permit.

Notify Foreigners' Office of changes (e.g., job end) within 2 years for approval. Ensure qual-job match, address registration (2 weeks), social security, and recognition support. After 2 years, full mobility.

With job offer, apply for D-visa at German embassy (VIDEX online). Visa-free (e.g., US) enter and apply locally. Post-arrival: Convert to residence at Foreigners' Office within 90 days; recognition partnerships allow entry for post-arrival qual check.

Visa: 15-60 days at embassy; residence permit: 4-6 weeks locally. Total 1-3 months; faster for shortage roles. Book via Consular Portal early to align with start dates.

Job contract (6+ months, skill-matched, min salary), company registration, and BA approval if needed. Employee provides: Passport, qualification certificates (translated/recognized), experience proof, health insurance. Support recognition via ZAB for foreign quals.

Yes, €43,470 gross annually for qualified roles (or collective agreement). Shortage occupations (e.g., nursing): €43,759.80. Over 45 without pension: €53,130. Ensures self-support; no Blue Card-level hike needed for vocational.

Vocational qualification (2+ years, recognized via ZAB/IHK or comparable), matching job offer, and 2 years experience for practical knowledge. IT/nursing: Eased rules (no degree if 2-3 years exp). Over 45: €53,130 gross annual or pension proof. No initial language needed beyond A2 for some recognitions.

The Germany Skilled Worker Visa (Residence Permit for qualified vocational professionals) enables non-EU employees with 2+ years training to work in trades/nursing for up to 4 years (extendable). Benefits: Family join without space proof, 3-year PR path, job flexibility post-regulated roles—ideal for shortage hires, easing your talent pipeline.

Blue Collar requires a job offer and recognized qualification; Opportunity Card is points-based for job seekers (no offer needed, valid 1 year). Use Blue Collar for immediate sponsored hires; Opportunity for exploratory blue-collar talent scouting.

They have 6 months (or 1 year with partial unemployment benefits) to find a matching job and notify authorities. Support via internal transfers to prevent revocation and retain skills.

Visa fee: €75; residence permit: €100 (family: €100/adult, €50/child). Employer may cover recognition costs (€200-600 via ZAB); no direct sponsorship fees.

Yes, after 2 years without restrictions. In the first 2 years, notify the Foreigners' Office (approval within 4 weeks). New job must match qualification level to avoid permit issues.

Eased requirements apply: Faster recognition of foreign qualifications and priority processing. Check the Federal Employment Agency's shortage list; no labor market test needed for approval.

After 4 years of employment and social security contributions, with A2 German and no criminal record. Faster track (3 years) possible with B1 German. Leads to an unrestricted settlement permit.

Apply up to 8 weeks before expiry at the Foreigners' Office with updated contract, salary/income proof, and insurance. Extensions align with contract length (up to 4 years); no re-recognition if conditions hold.

Notify the Foreigners' Office of any employment changes in the first 2 years for approval. Ensure qualification-job match, timely address registration (within 2 weeks), and ongoing social security payments. After 2 years, full job mobility applies.

Yes, spouses and minor children get residence permits with work rights for spouses (A1 German may be needed initially). Apply jointly at the Foreigners' Office with marriage/birth certificates, housing proof, and financial stability evidence.

With a job offer, they apply for a national D-visa at the German embassy/consulate (online via VIDEX). Visa-free nationals (e.g., Australia) can enter and apply directly. Upon arrival, convert to residence permit at the local Foreigners' Office within 90 days; job seeker variant allows 6 months to find work.

Embassy visa: 15-60 days; local residence permit: 4-6 weeks. Total: 1-3 months. Book early via the Consular Portal; delays possible in peak seasons for shortage sectors like nursing.

Your employee needs a recognized vocational qualification (at least 2 years' training, verifiable via IHK/HWK or ZAB), a specific job offer matching their skills, and proof of sufficient funds or salary for self-support. No university degree is required, but the job must align with their training; age under 45 preferred, or €53,130 gross annual salary if over 45.

No general threshold like the Blue Card, but the offer must cover living costs (approx. €1,027/month blocked account if no salary proof). For employees over 45, ensure at least €53,130 gross annually to qualify. Focus on pension insurance contributions for long-term security.

The Germany Blue Collar Visa (Skilled Worker Residence Permit for qualified professionals) allows non-EU employees with vocational training to live and work in Germany for up to 4 years (extendable). It supports roles in high-demand sectors like construction, manufacturing, and healthcare, with family reunification and a path to permanent residency after 4 years. As an employer, it streamlines hiring for shortage occupations without degree requirements.

Provide a detailed job contract (min. 6 months, matching qualification), company registration proof, and Declaration of Employment if needed. Your employee submits personal docs: passport, vocational certificates (translated and recognized), health insurance, and biometrics. Start with qualification recognition via ANABIN or ZAB.