Germany
Work visa for Germany: documents, fees and steps
Work · 210 nationalities · any residence · ordinary passport
Verified on 13 October 2026
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Documents requested
National long-stay visa application form, completed online on the consular services portal, or a form obtained free of charge from the German missionConditions and details
The Federal Foreign Office states that the national visa application form can be completed online and then brought printed to the appointment. It can also be obtained free of charge from the mission, in the local language; the version used by the mission where the application is submitted must be used. It can also be downloaded from the website of the competent mission.Valid passportConditions and details
The Federal Employment Agency states that a person applying for a visa to work must as a general rule provide a valid passport. It advises presenting all documents relevant to the decision in order to avoid requests for clarification. No minimum validity period is specified numerically at this point: the competent mission states its requirements.Biometric identity photograph to bring to the appointment; fingerprints are taken on siteConditions and details
The consular services portal requires bringing a biometric photograph to the appointment at the mission; the requirements are set out in the ministry's biometric photograph guide. The biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) are provided at this in-person appointment.Declaration on the employment relationship (“Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis”), completed and signed by the employer: concrete job offer in GermanyConditions and details
The consular services portal requires, for all skilled workers, an employment relationship in Germany; for the professional experience route, a firm job offer. According to the visa manual, the proof of this offer is as a general rule the form “Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis”, completed and signed by the employer; it as a general rule dispenses with presenting other documents on the employment relationship, in particular an employment contract. For the skilled worker routes with vocational or university training, the employer and the applicant must also expressly attest that the employment will actually be carried out; the employer does so in this declaration.Other documents requested by the competent mission, listed in the “Your documents” section of the portalConditions and details
On the consular services portal, the “Your documents” section states exactly the supporting documents to upload for the chosen visa. The mission may request other documents even after the appointment, until the decision. Files are uploaded in PDF, JPG or PNG format, of 10 MB and 50 pages at most each.
Depending on your situation
Valid residence permit of the country of residence, if the person does not reside in their country of originConditions and details
Among the documents relevant to the decision, the Federal Employment Agency cites a valid residence permit when the person is not applying for the visa from their country of origin.Qualification equivalent to German vocational training (skilled worker with vocational training)Conditions and details
To work as a skilled worker with vocational training, the consular services portal requires a qualification equivalent to German vocational training and an employment relationship in Germany. This qualification must be recognised in Germany before the visa application.University degree recognised in Germany or comparable to a German degree (skilled worker with a university degree)Conditions and details
To work as a skilled worker with a university degree, the consular services portal requires a university degree recognised in Germany or comparable to a German degree, and an employment relationship in Germany.Degree or training of at least two years recognised by the state in which it was obtained, proof of two years of professional experience in the last five years and a firm job offer (professional experience route)Conditions and details
For the professional experience route, the portal requires: a foreign degree or at least two years of training recognised by the state in which they were obtained (not required for experience in the IT sector); proof of at least two years of experience related to the qualification, acquired in the last five years; a firm job offer in Germany with a minimum gross annual salary of 45 630 euros (2026 figure). This route is open only for non-regulated professions. The minimum salary does not apply if the employment relationship is covered by a collective agreement applied to the person.Recognition or equivalence of the foreign qualification before the visa, for the skilled worker routes with vocational or university trainingConditions and details
Recognition in Germany concerns the skilled worker routes with vocational or university training: equivalence of vocational training, or a university degree recognised or comparable to a German degree. The recognition and assessment procedures precede the visa. The supporting document is as a general rule the decision of the competent body or the ZAB assessment; for a university degree and a non-regulated profession, a clear correspondence in the anabin database can also establish comparability. The professional experience route has its own conditions: recognition by the state in which the qualification was obtained, without a general requirement of equivalence with a German qualification, and an exemption from the qualification requirement for the IT sector.Authorisation to practise (Berufsausübungserlaubnis) for a regulated profession, for example medical or legalConditions and details
To work in a regulated profession, for example in medicine or law, an authorisation to practise is mandatory. The Federal Government's information portal on the recognition of foreign professional qualifications, “Anerkennung in Deutschland”, states whether the profession is regulated and how to obtain the authorisation.Sufficient retirement provision, in principle from the age of 45 on a first application as a skilled worker, if the gross annual salary is less than 55 770 euros (2026 figure)Conditions and details
For a first application for a residence title as a skilled worker with vocational or university training, from the age of 45, it is in principle necessary to prove either the minimum gross annual salary of 55 770 euros (2026 figure) or sufficient retirement provision. The manual provides for reasoned exceptions, in particular a public interest in the employment, or only a slight deviation from the salary threshold or the age limit. The authority assesses these exceptions; they are not automatic.Prior approval (Vorabzustimmung) from the Federal Employment Agency, or from the foreigners authority in the accelerated procedure, when the employer has applied for itConditions and details
The employer may apply to the Federal Employment Agency (ZAV central office), before the employee applies for their visa, for prior approval of the employment. If it is granted, the employee applies directly for the visa at the competent mission; the procedure is as a general rule accelerated because several steps are eliminated. The employer transmits the prior approval and the declaration on the employment relationship to their future employee; the employee presents them to the mission. The approval is valid for nine months from its issuance; the mission is informed of it automatically. It may be applied for by an authorised third party.Certificate of sufficient health insurance covering the validity period of the visa, if the mission requests itConditions and details
According to the visa manual of the Federal Foreign Office, proof of means of subsistence, where required, includes sufficient health insurance cover. It must in principle cover the entire validity period of the visa, without its start being subject to a condition. German statutory insurance applies only from the start of the employment: the period between entry into Germany and that date is covered by sufficient private insurance. In the accelerated procedure, the foreigners authority checks the means of subsistence, including health insurance.
Official fees
- National long-stay visa (type D), adult — processing fee 75 €
- Accelerated procedure for skilled workers at the foreigners authority (excluding recognition fees and visa fees) 411 €
Steps
- Choose the suitable work pathway: have the qualification recognised in Germany for the skilled professional or academic pathways; for the experience pathway, check the separate qualification and experience requirements.
- Obtain an employment relationship in Germany: the employer fills in and signs the declaration on the employment relationship (concrete job offer).
- Depending on the case, the employer requests prior approval: from the Federal Employment Agency (online) or, for the accelerated skilled worker procedure, from the foreigners authority.
- Fill in the visa application online on the consular services portal and upload the documents there, or request the form from the competent German representation.
- Wait for the preliminary check of the file, then make an appointment with the link received; with the prior approval of the accelerated procedure, the representation gives an appointment within three weeks.
- Appear at the appointment: identity, fingerprints and photograph, originals of the requested documents; pay the visa fees on site.
- Wait for the decision: as a general rule three weeks in the accelerated procedure; otherwise processing can take several months depending on the purpose of stay.
- After entry into Germany with the visa, apply to the local foreigners authority for the residence permit corresponding to the chosen work pathway, during the validity of the visa.
Where to apply
- Consular services portal of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs: online application for a visa to work, then in-person appointment at the German representation
- German representation (embassy or consulate general) competent for the habitual residence area or the domicile of the applicant
- Visa application centre of an external service provider working with certain German representations; service fees may be added there
- Employer or agency: the portal allows a German employer or an agency to submit the application for its future employee
- Federal Employment Agency (central ZAV service): online application for prior approval by the employer, before the visa application
Good to know
Three work visa routes on the portalConditions and details
The consular services portal distinguishes three routes for a work visa: the skilled worker with vocational training (qualification equivalent to German training, employment relationship in Germany), the skilled worker with a university degree (degree recognised in Germany or comparable, employment relationship in Germany) and the worker with professional experience (degree or training recognised by the state in which it was obtained, two years of experience in the last five years, firm offer with a minimum gross annual salary of 45 630 euros in 2026). The conditions specific to the category are listed in the documents above.Validity of the work visa and residence titleConditions and details
The visa for employment is as a general rule issued for a duration of up to 12 months. For a longer stay for work, the residence title is applied for at the local foreigners authority while the visa is still valid. The visa states the purpose of entry, which authorises working in Germany after entry.Accelerated procedure for skilled workersConditions and details
The employer may initiate an accelerated procedure with the foreigners authority: an agreement is concluded between the employer and the foreigners authority, which helps to have the qualification recognised, obtains the approval of the Federal Employment Agency if necessary and checks the residence conditions linked to Germany, then issues a prior approval (Vorabzustimmung) which the employer transmits to the employee. The employee makes an appointment at the mission within three weeks and then presents the prior approval; the decision is as a general rule issued within three weeks after submission of the complete file. The employer may mandate a third party, such as a law firm or a relocation agency, with the employee's consent. The procedure also concerns the spouse and unmarried minor children who submit their application at approximately the same time.Documents to present in the accelerated procedureConditions and details
With the visa application, the worker presents as a general rule: the completed and signed application form, with the declaration provided for by the Residence Act; the prior approval, or its copy when the mission can consult it electronically; the originals of the diplomas attached to the prior approval; the passport; two biometric photographs. The originals of the supporting documents attached to the approval must be presented to the mission, which compares them with the copies. If the mission considers other documents necessary, it states this on its website.Approval of the Federal Employment AgencyConditions and details
For employment as a skilled worker, a residence title is issued with the approval of the Federal Employment Agency, which checks the working conditions; for most profiles, including skilled workers with vocational training and university graduates, the approval may be given without a priority check if the working conditions are comparable to those of German employees. Where this approval is necessary, the mission or the foreigners authority itself contacts the Agency, through an inter-authority procedure. The employer may also ask the Agency in advance to check the labour market conditions, which accelerates the rest of the procedure.Early submissionConditions and details
The Federal Employment Agency recommends applying for the visa as early as possible before the planned start of employment, because processing often takes a long time, and to enquire with the competent mission about local particularities.Processing time and approval from the foreigners authorityConditions and details
When the approval of the foreigners authority is necessary, the procedure can last up to three months, sometimes longer, because other authorities, such as the Federal Employment Agency, are often involved. Visas that authorise work often do not require this approval, which accelerates the procedure in those cases.Nationals exempt from the visa before entryConditions and details
Nationals of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland are exempt from the visa obligation. Those of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States of America may apply for the required residence permit after their entry into Germany; however, they may only start working once the residence permit has been issued by the foreigners authority. This visa procedure is therefore not intended for them.Application submitted by an authorised representative or by the employerConditions and details
Another person may submit the application online on behalf of the applicant if they present proof of power of representation. However, the applicant must appear in person at the representation for the biometric data. A group application is possible for a skilled worker who travels with their family.Residence area and online applicationConditions and details
The application is submitted to the representation competent for the residence area. The ministry requests that the application not be submitted online to another representation when the one for the residence area does not yet offer this service: the application is then submitted on paper, by appointment at the representation or at the external service provider.Refusal and new applicationConditions and details
In the event of refusal, the reasons are communicated to the applicant and legal recourse is open to them. The remonstrance procedure has been abolished worldwide since 1 July 2025. A new visa application remains possible at any time.
Nationalities covered
This procedure applies to 210 nationalities.
- Afghanistan
- Åland Islands
- Albania
- Algeria
- American Samoa
- Andorra
- Angola
- Anguilla
- Antarctica
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Aruba
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belize
- Benin
- Bermuda
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Bouvet Island
- Brazil
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- British Virgin Islands
- Brunei
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Caribbean Netherlands
- Cayman Islands
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Chile
- China
- Christmas Island
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- Colombia
- Comoros
- Congo
- Cook Islands
- Costa Rica
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Cuba
- Curaçao
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Falkland Islands
- Faroe Islands
- Fiji
- French Guiana
- French Polynesia
- French Southern Territories
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Greenland
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Guam
- Guatemala
- Guernsey
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Heard Island and McDonald Islands
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Isle of Man
- Jamaica
- Jersey
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Macao
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mali
- Marshall Islands
- Martinique
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mayotte
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Montserrat
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- New Caledonia
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Niue
- Norfolk Island
- North Korea
- North Macedonia
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Palestine
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Pitcairn Islands
- Puerto Rico
- Qatar
- Réunion
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saint Barthélemy
- Saint Helena
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Martin
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- San Marino
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Sint Maarten
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Svalbard and Jan Mayen
- Syria
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tokelau
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- Turkmenistan
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Tuvalu
- U.S. Outlying Islands
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Wallis and Futuna
- Western Sahara
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Official links
- Visas for Germany - Federal Foreign Office (new tab) www.auswaertiges-amt.de
- Merkblatt 7 - Beschäftigung ausländischer Arbeitnehmerinnen und Arbeitnehmer in Deutschland (new tab) www.arbeitsagentur.de
- Auslandsportal (new tab) digital.diplo.de
- Visumhandbuch (new tab) www.auswaertiges-amt.de
- Auslandsportal (new tab) digital.diplo.de
- Auslandsportal (new tab) digital.diplo.de
- Auslandsportal (new tab) digital.diplo.de
- Vorabzustimmung für ausländische Beschäftigte | Bundesagentur für Arbeit (new tab) www.arbeitsagentur.de
- Längerfristige Aufenthalte über 90 Tage (nationale Visa) - Auswärtiges Amt (new tab) www.auswaertiges-amt.de
- Gezielte Zuwanderung gegen Mangel an Fachkräften - Auswärtiges Amt (new tab) www.auswaertiges-amt.de
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