EU Blue Card

Description

Visa procedure

If you belong to a third country ( not the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland), you generally need a visa to enter Germany for the purpose of employment, which must be applied for at the German diplomatic mission abroad.

The visa is not required for citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America.

After entering the country

You must first register your residence at the Citizens Office.

Applying for an EU Blue Card

You must apply for an EU Blue Card before your visa/residence permit expires. If you can enter the country without a visa for this purpose, you must apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners Office within 90 days of entering the country.

Please submit the application form and the required documents online or by post. After submitting your online application, you can download a completed document as a PDF for your records. The document will confirm your application and the authorisation/continuation of your previous residence. Once we have checked your application, you will receive an appointment for a personal interview.

Period of validity

The EU Blue Card is valid for a maximum of four years. If you have an employment contract of less than four years, the EU Blue Card is valid for as long as the employment contract (plus three months).

Notification of the change of job

EU Blue Card holders must notify the relevant Foreigners Office if they change jobs during the first twelve months of employment. To do this, please send us via the online service or by post

• the notice of termination of the old employment contract,
• Your new employment contract with a detailed job description and
• the completed " Declaration of employment relationship" form

You do not need permission to change jobs and can start your new job immediately. However, the Foreigners Office can suspend the change of job for 30 days and reject it within this period if the requirements for the issue of an EU Blue Card are not met with the new employment. In this case, you will receive a written declaration from the Foreigners Office about the suspension of the job change. After the first 12 months, you do not need to notify the Foreigners Office if you change jobs

Prerequisites

• You have the following qualifications:
  • You have a German university degree or
  • A foreign university degree that is comparable to a German university degree (see anabin H+ for university and degree or a certificate assessment from the Central Office for Foreign Education - ZAB) or
  • A tertiary educational qualification recognised in Germany at level 6 of ISCED 2011 or level 6 of the EQF (European Framework of Reference) such as master craftsperson, business administrator, technician, educator, curative education nurse (training period of at least three years, equivalent to a university degree) or
  • 3 years of professional experience in the IT sector within the last 7 years as an IT specialist.
• You currently have a gross annual salary of at least 45,300 euros. Your gross salary must be at least 41,041.80 euros if the Federal Employment Agency has approved your employment and
  • You work in a bottleneck occupation or
  • You have obtained your university degree within the last 3 years as a young professional.
    The salary limit must be reached regardless of the working time model. There is no pro rata calculation for part-time positions. The salary limits apply for the year 2024 and may change each year.

• The duration of your job offer must be at least six months.
• Your job must be appropriate to your qualifications (university degree).
• Valid visa to enter the country for employment with an EU Blue Card (if required).

Required documents

• Fully completed application form
• Valid passport or passport substitute
• Valid visa to enter the country for the purpose of qualified employment and entry stamp (if required, only for initial application)
• Biometric passport photo(only at the appointment, photo machines can also be found at the Foreigners Office)
• Employment contract or a concrete job offer
• Fully completed insurance for the exercise of employment(please upload together with the employment contract)
• Current and fully completed "Declaration of employment relationship"
• In the case of an extension: Proof of salary for the first two and last two months

Qualifications (for initial application)

• University degree certificate: In the case of a foreign certificate, you must submit a certified German or English translation and an extract from anabin(H+ for university and degree) or a certificate evaluation from the ZAB for recognition
  
  Or
• Degree certificate from a tertiary education programme and recognition of the degree ( KMK certificate evaluation or anabin extract)
  
  Or
• For IT specialists without a formal qualification: Proof of at least 3 years of professional experience within the last 7 years in the IT sector and a CV
• Professional licence (for regulated professions)

Please note

Further documents may be required in individual cases.

Legal basis

EU Directive 2009/50/EC (Highly Qualified Persons Directive)
§ Section 18g Residence Act