Specific rules: In Germany, the EU Blue Card is issued for a maximum period of four years. Learning German with Apps: Is LingoDeer Any Good? When it comes to the positions in areas with work shortages the salary requirements are also rising. If your degree/s is from a foreign university then you need an equivalency certificate. Let’s say you’re a software developer, that means you filter for “natural science, geography, computer science” and “computer science and other ICT occupations”. Blue Card EU for Germany The EU Blue Card is a new residence title for specific purposes, used in Germany since 2012. Countries requiring no EU blue card and VISA upon entering Germany are: Citizens of the below countries are required to apply for a VISA at the nearest Embassy in your home country prior to arrival. What is SCHUFA: all about the German credit rating. As mentioned by the German residence act, this is how it can happen: The most common reason that any application process in Germany gets delayed or results in a rejection is missing or faulty documents. For example, it enables you to obtain the right of permanent residence more quickly. Thresholds (minimum salary) for the EU Blue Card are redefined every year. With the EU Blue Card Germany provides an easier path to the long-term residence permit for in-demand specialists. The application process is dependant on which country you are from and if you are already living in Germany. If it’s only a case of missing documents, ask if you can submit those later. So the blue card is a card for citizens from non-EU-states. But know that a rejection letter isn’t the end of the road. If you are from one of the below countries, you can enter Germany without a VISA and stay for up to 3 months. Solution: Make sure all your documents check out. However, an EU Blue Card issued by German authorities can be valid for a maximum of 4 years. Take a deep breath, write down the deadline, and talk to an immigration lawyer. Do you know what alternatives do I have to apply extension of my residence permit? You qualify if you have a German higher education qualification or a higher education degree that is recognized in Germany or comparable to local degrees. If your job contract is valid for more than only four years, you can apply for the renewal of … What is the Blue Card Germany application process? Some salient features of the card are: It ensures equal salary and working conditions for cardholders January 10, 2020. After you have been holding an EU Blue Card for 18 months minimum, you can move to another European Union Member State (except Great Britain, Ireland and Denmark) and apply for the EU Blue Card within a month. Everyone who is resident in Germany is legally required to have sufficient health... Moving to Berlin, Germany is a very exciting, yet challenging experience. It’s a fast process to book and a guaranteed Anmeldung too. The German EU Blue Card allows qualified third-country nationals to move to Germany on a contract basis. The EU Blue Card is similar to the Temporary Residence Permit, but it targets a specific group of people and has longer validity. The EU Blue Card Germany enables university graduates (or comparable qualification) from non-EU countries to receive a residence title for the purpose of employment. The Requirements for an EU Blue card are significant and it’s certainly not a quick or easy solution to residency. Those do not need a Blue Card to live and work in Germany. Once you have acquired your residence permit in Germany, it’s also useful to be aware of how it can be terminated. You are a graduate: If you did not acquire your degree in Germany, it must either be recognised or comparable to a German degree. The largest numbers of job vacancies in engineering are the Hamburg and Stuttgart areas as … When applying for a Blue Card the applicant must meet the following conditions: Have a Master’s Degree or equivalent. It grants the right to work and live in Germany. Also note that if you take this route your application will need approval from the German Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit), unless you have a German higher education degree. The card has also made work after study in Germany a pain-free process. If you want to go the self-help crowd sourced way, you can also turn to this Facebook group: Problems and Challenges with Ausländerbehorde and Einbürgerungsamt (Berlin). During this time you can find a new contract that meets the requirements. I found a job in Berlin which I will start from Jan 4. Solution: Employers should check through the job market entry requirements (Zulassung zum Arbeitsmarkt) before offering a contract and may need to adjust your job description and/or salary to meet the requirements. The national EMN study describes the recruitment and working conditions of seasonal workers in Germany. NOTE: The required term of minimum one year is no longer communicated by German authorities, new proposed blue card rules indicate a minimum employment contract term of six months. The granting of an EU Blue Card requires that: 1. you have a German, a recognised foreign or a foreign university or college degree equivalent to a German university or college degree 1. When you log in, we will also set up several cookies to save your login information and your screen display choices. Germany industry has traditionally put a strong emphasis on science and technology. This means that inexpensive areas it is advised to earn 1,5 to 2 times the minimum requirements outlined for obtaining the Blue Card. For certain occupations that suffer from shortages of skilled labor the salary level is €43,056 per year (2020). It is essentially a German residence permit for those wishing to work in Germany. Good luck with it all! Your salary is too low for local conditions. Hey Bastian, I am currently living in Airbnb in Hannover. The VISA application fee for the blue card is €140. The documents and requirements for the EU Blue Card in Germany are: you have non-EU citizenship proof of a German or recognised higher education qualification (BA/Masters etc) you need to have a binding working contract or binding job offer from a German company Your local German Foreigners Authority must approve of any job changes taking place within the first two years of employment. After 33 months living in Germany, you can qualify for a permanent residence permit. If you edit or publish an article, an additional cookie will be saved in your browser. The whole move in itself may be stressful, however, one of the largest challenges is that you will be arriving in an unkown location, in which you have to start a new life in. Even if it may not replace professional advice, it’s good place to ask for pointers and feedback during the process. It expires after 1 day. 3. Opposed to the regular work VISA, the German EU Blue Card has some specific requirements that you need to fulfill before it is granted. The major requirements for the EU Blue Card of Germany … This cookie contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser. If you leave a comment on our site you may opt-in to saving your name, email address and website in cookies. Even if we can sometimes blame the EU for creating complexity in administrative matters, it also creates opportunities in others. You can’t apply for the German EU Blue Card if you are in Germany under a tourist, medical or any other VISA which does not have the purpose of employment. The health insurance system in Germany You can find all the necessary information for this process on the information portal of the German government for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications. The approval process can take as little as a week or several months if you need approval from the Federal Employment Agency. Free brochure:’Security right from the start’ Siemens-Betriebskrankenkasse Health Insurance Germany, Health Insurance In Germany – Private and Public Insurance Options in 2021, Private Health Insurance in Germany (Private Krankenversicherung – PKV). An EU Blue Card for Germany is issued for three months longer than the duration of the employment contract. More info about this hotline this way. You can obtain either an employment VISA, Visit VISA, Student VISA or any other VISA which describes your purpose of stay prior to arriving in Germany. For general questions, you can call a dedicated hotline to help out with your application. These figures increase every year and were recently announced for 2020. Login cookies last for two days, and screen options cookies last for a year. All documents also require certified copies. Welcome Center Germany © 2019 affiliated with Welcome Center Malta, German EU Blue Card Requirements and Application Process 2020. What are the most common rejection causes? If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. If you do not have a contract or job offer in place, you can apply for a German Employment VISA for jobseekers. While EU Blue Card holders can get a mortgage, the two things are slightly incompatible; a mortgage is a long-term investment but an EU Blue Card is only valid for a maximum of 4 years. © 2021 - Settle in Berlin. If you have a work contract in place prior to moving, you can apply for the Blue Card straight away. Have at least 5 years of experience in your field. The first means the institution has been recognized and a comparison of your degree with German equivalents is possible. In exchange, you get to enjoy a privileged status during the visa process and special benefits if you’re approved. Get your German language skills certified at a B1 or higher level and you could qualify for that permanent residence permit after just 21 months. A certain minimum salary is necessary for this. They’ll be able to help you with the next steps of your blue card Germany application. However, it is important to note that this time will not be taken into consideration when applying for a permanent residence permit. It is possible to be granted an extension if certain requirements are fulfilled. People with technical skills are targeted mostly, but the EU Blue Card - Germany is not limited to technical persons only. The EU Blue Card Scheme was introduced to make Europe a more welcoming destination for students and professionals from outside the European Union. If you are not in Germany you can apply for an EU Blue Card in the German embassy in your country. These options do not have such strict financial and education requirements, but also provides fewer benefits. As an added bonus, the EU Blue Card for Germany lets your family members live and work in the country with less restrictions than with a normal work visa. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It's helping to track performance and user behavior on the website to improve on it. Make sure to have a cup of tea ready: this guide is long read! Bring these documents: * only required for “shortage occupation” applicants. It does not impact the editorial line of this blog. But once that’s done and you’ve started your new job, it’s time to apply for the EU Blue Card for Germany. As of February 2020, the thresholds are as follows: Figures vary a bit from year to year, but it can be assumed, based on previous years, that the minimum salary requirements do not deviate much from previous years. EU BLUE CARD OF GERMANY REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURE. Your visa has been revoked by the German authorities or if you have been deported from the country, in case of criminal behavior for example. In order to obtain the German EU Blue Card, it is necessary to have a work contract or a binding job offer prior to applying. If you select "Remember Me", your login will persist for two weeks. That’s because each local Federal Employment Agency has its own guidelines based on the law and local economic conditions. If you have a university degree you can get an EU Blue Card to enable you to work in Germany. Most of the time, ample research and knowledge about the location, makes it easier to integrate and get used to your new way of life! For more general questions, you can also call a dedicated hotline setup by in cooperation with many different administrations. But, demographic trends are causing some concern. It’s clear. Which events could cause the termination of blue card permit? It provides an overview of the most recent situation and developments on seasonal workers in terms of legislation and policy in Germany. By the end of 2018, 51,130 people residing in Germany had a Blue Card, with 55 per cent of them also having a permanent residency status. If your German language skills are certified at B1 or higher, you qualify for a permanent residence permit after only 21 months. The card came into effect from August 1, 2012 for Indian citizens. This means officially setting residence somewhere else or leaving for longer than 12 months in the case of blue card holders. If you get a job classified as “professions of shortage” you may qualify for the lower threshold. Applicant inside Europe or outside can apply for Germany EU Blue Card. The EU Blue Card in Germany is valid for up to four (4) years unless your job contract is limited (not indefinite). There are governmental Institutions and other 3rd party portals where you can find suitable jobs: Alternatively, you can place an advert yourself. If the employment contract is of shorter duration, the EU Blue Card shall be issued for or extended to the duration of the contract plus three months. The renewal fee is €100 as of January 2020. First, you will need to provide evidence that you hold a degree either from a German university or a recognised foreign university, a foreign degree comparable to a German degree, or a comparable qualification, evidenced through a minimum of five years of practical employment experience. After 33 months of living in Germany under the EU Blue Card, you can qualify for a permanent residence permit. Opposed to the regular work VISA, the German EU Blue Card has some specific requirements that you need to fulfill before it is granted. With the EU Blue Card, highly qualified foreign nationals with recognized qualifications and an annual minimum salary can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment in Germany. German, as you know, is a grammar-heavy language, requiring painstaking attention to detail from its speakers. Background: Salary thresholds for EU Blue Cards in Germany are based on the assessment ceiling of the German pension scheme. In this post, we laid out all the information you need to get started. Highly qualified skilled workers and academics from non-EU-states can apply for the EU blue card as a simple and limited work permit. Information on the equivalence and recognition of foreign degrees is available at www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de. This is true across all visa types, but especially with the EU Blue Card Germany’s government officials will want to see every document related to your work and educational background! Stick to the full truth and state everything as clearly as possible. The EU Blue Card is issued for the duration of your work contract, including 3 additional months, and is limited to a 4-year period. These are requirements in order to apply for an EU Blue Card in Germany: A degree (bachelor, master or PhD) obtained from a German or foreign university. Another problem can arise if your employer didn’t make sure in advance that they can hire foreign workers. If you are from one of these countries you can get a work permit without applying for the German Blue Card. Since January 1st, 2009, Germany made health insurance compulsory for everyone. Database of the Central Office for Foreign Education 1. you have a concrete job offer or an employment contract for high-qualification employment with a minimum annual salary of EUR 50.800 (date: 2017). Check that your salary meets local conditions and national standards for the type of work you will be doing. This VISA grants you a 6-month period to find work in Germany and start your German EU Blue Card application once the requirements have been met. Some posts contain affiliate links that may generate revenue. Regular Blue Card holders in Germany must be paid at least EUR 55,200 per year (up from EUR 53,600 in 2019). For members of EU- states generosity is valid concerning their stay. The required documents for a successful application are: Depending on your situation, you may have to submit additional or translated documents other than the ones mentioned above. Step 1: Arrive in Germany! University or Masters Degree: Depending on the type of job, a minimum of a University degree is required. A valid identity card or passport is sufficient. How much will it cost? Your alternative is the normal work visa, which isn’t as strict about financial and education requirements, but also provides less benefits. The appeal must be submitted within the deadline and for more complex situations it is advised to talk to an immigration lawyer. Some jobs require a Master’s Degree in order to qualify for the German EU Blue Card. Alternatively, you can also speak to an immigration specialist. From there, you can find something more permanent. In a nutshell, eligibility = recognized higher education degree + well paid job or shortage occupation job offer. Step 3: Wait. When holding the EU Blue Card, you can apply for a settlement permit after having worked in Germany for 33 months. Health Insurance In Germany – Private and Public Insurance Options in... You have not met the eligibility requirements, Your application contains missing, incorrect or false details, Your employer in Germany is not able to hire foreign workers or has been found guilty of employing irregular immigrants (they should check the job market entry requirements (. The agency will review whether everything checks out with your position, employer, and working conditions. Have a work contract or a job offer for highly qualified employment for at least one year. Currently 21% of engineering workers are older than 55 and many companies face severe replacement problems. If you are still living in your home country, thus not arrived in Germany yet, you should follow the process below: If you are already living in Germany and possess a valid employment VISA, you can simply apply for the EU Blue Card in Germany at the nearest immigration office (assuming you have already registered your address and have a valid VISA). In this case, you get your documents ready and then you make an appointment at the German embassy. The blue card scheme is aimed to attract skilled workers to Germany and provides an easier way to get a long-term residence permit for in-demand workers. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The EU Blue Card helps highly-qualified third-country nationals to migrate to Germany permanently. It’s plain. Also, after 2 years you are no longer tied to the initial contract and can change to any “highly-qualified employment” instead. There may be several reasons why your application has been rejected. Citizens of an EU country or any country part of the EEA, such as Iceland, Norway, Lichtenstein or Switzerland, do not need to apply for a German Blue Card. The processing time for your German EU Blue Card can take anything from one (1) week and up to three (3) months, depending on if you require special approvals from the Federal Employment Agency. You will be given a limited amount of time to find a new job fulfilling the requirements. Germany has the highest number of employed engineering workers and the second highest share of engineering workers among all employees in the European Union. But, if you’re a member of these countries, you don’t need to apply for an entry visa and can stay for up to 90 days while applying: Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand and the United States of America. I know, easier said than done. The EU- regulations concerning the blue card will be valid in Germany as a part of the German law from the 1…