Germany EU Blue Card

People with a qualifying job offer in Germany who meet the qualification or IT-experience conditions and the applicable salary threshold.

• Qualification or IT experience

  Have a German academic qualification, a foreign academic qualification comparable to a German one, or a tertiary-level qualification that took at least three years to complete and corresponds to at least ISCED 2011 level 6 or European Qualifications Framework level 6. Alternatively, IT professionals without a formal qualification must have worked in IT for at least three of the past seven years at university level, with that experience required for the job in Germany.

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• Job offer

  Have a specific job offer from a company in Germany for employment lasting at least six months. For the qualification-based route, the job must match the qualification; the route for IT professionals without a formal qualification requires an offer as an IT professional.

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• Gross annual salary

  The job must pay at least €50,700 gross per year in 2026. The threshold is €45,934.20 for an approved shortage-occupation job; for someone whose last degree or equivalent qualification was obtained less than three years ago, with Federal Employment Agency approval; or for an IT professional qualifying without a formal qualification.

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• Employment Agency approval

  Federal Employment Agency approval is required when using the lower salary threshold for a shortage occupation or as a new entrant to the labour market. The official Blue Card visa overview says approval is generally obtained during the visa procedure, except where the gross annual salary is at least €50,700.

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• Licence for regulated work

  If the job requires a licence to practise, the licence must be in place or in prospect when the visa application is made.

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• General visa conditions

  For a visa application, prove sufficient means to cover living expenses, identity and nationality, and hold a valid and recognised passport or passport substitute; there must be no grounds for expulsion.

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• Health insurance

  Have health insurance in Germany from the first day; proof is required at the latest when collecting the visa.

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• National entry visaResearched just now · being double-checkedSource€75 per person
• Initial issue of an EU Blue CardResearched just now · being double-checkedSource€100 per person

1. Get ready

   • Check the Blue Card conditions

     Check your qualification or IT experience, job offer, salary and any licence needed to practise.

   • Prepare your documents

     Prepare your passport, employment contract, proof of your qualification and, if needed, proof of work experience.

     You’ll need: Passport, Employment contract, Proof of qualification, Proof of work experience, if needed

2. Apply

   • Submit your visa application

     Apply through the Consular Services Portal where available, or use the digital Videx application and submit it with the required documents to the responsible German mission.

     You’ll need: Visa application, Documents required by the responsible German mission

3. Visa

   • Attend your visa appointment

     Attend the appointment at the German mission, bringing the required original documents and paying the visa fee.

     You’ll need: Required original documents

   • Show proof of health insurance

     Provide proof of valid health insurance cover at the latest when collecting your visa.

     You’ll need: Proof of health insurance

4. Travel

   • Travel to Germany

     When you arrive

     After your entry visa is issued, plan your journey and enter Germany.

     You’ll need: Entry visa, Passport

5. Settle in

   • Register your address

     When you arrive

     Register your home address at the Residents’ Registration Office in Germany.

   • Apply for your EU Blue Card

     When you arrive

     Contact the competent foreigners authority, ask which documents it requires and apply for the EU Blue Card before your entry visa expires.

     You’ll need: Documents requested by the foreigners authority

It can be extended and can lead to a settlement permit after 27 months with A1 German, or after 21 months with B1 German, if the applicable conditions are met.

• gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__45.htmlOfficial
• Radware Pagemake-it-in-germany.comOfficial
• How do I apply for a visa?make-it-in-germany.comOfficial
• make-it-in-germany.com/fileadmin/1_Rebrush_2022/a_Fachkraefte/PDF-Dat…Official
• Visas for Germany - Federal Foreign Office auswaertiges-amt.deOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.