Germany Long Stay Employment Visa | Types | FAQs & More

As Europe’s largest national economy and one of the world’s largest, Germany continues to attract workers at all levels.

High salaries, good working conditions, and a diverse range of opportunities for workers and professionals in various fields have enticed a large number of people to consider Germany as the best option for their future.

Who Needs a Visa to Work in Germany?

Non-German citizens who wish to relocate to Germany and work there may require a Germany Work visa. Several countries’ nationals do not need a visa to work in Germany. However, when it comes to working in Germany, the majority of world countries are subject to the German visa regime.

The following do not need a visa to work in Germany:

•  Nationals of one of the member states of the European Union, the European Economic Area and the European Free Trade Association, do not need any German visa in order to be able to work in Germany.
• Applicants who are nationals of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the United States of America or South Korea can apply for a residence permit upon their arrival in Germany, with no need to initiate such procedures back in their home country.
• The above mentioned only need a passport in order to be able to enter the country.
• As for nationals of other countries of the world that do not fit in these two categories, they are required to apply for a visa, and obtain one in order to be able to enter and work in Germany.

Types Germany Long stay Employment Visa

There are three types of Long stay Employment Visa depending on your field of expertise and the economic needs of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Germany General Employment Visa

Those intending to apply under this type of National Employment Visa must fulfill two vital conditions:

• vocational qualification
• a concrete offer of a contract of employment.

Germany Special Employment Visa

Germany has created a visa for specialized professionals who want to work and live in Germany. This type of visa is particularly applicable to graduates with special professional knowledge, university teachers with outstanding career profiles, and experienced managers who have been offered a job with a salary of at least 86.400 euros per year.

The only requirements for applicants in these categories are that they have enough money to live on and that they have a job.

According to European Commission information, a foreign applicant applying for a German visa must be able to prove to the German Embassy or Consulate that they have 45€ per day for the duration of their stay in German territory. This could be a document containing the last three months’ personal financial statements, a fixed deposit statement, written confirmation from your parents or sponsor that he or she will cover your costs, along with documents demonstrating their ability to do so, or something else.

Germany Self-Employed Visa

This category includes those who:

• wish to work as freelancers in Germany
• wish to start a business in Germany and have sufficient funds to do so
• The process and documents required are the same as for other visa types, with an additional requirement being that you must prove your work will bring benefit to Germany.

Germany Work Visa Requirements

The required documents in order for one to be able to work in Germany are as follows:

• Standard Requirements for a Germany Visa.
• Letter of intent or contract offered to you by a company in Germany containing a detailed description of the employment.
• For Germany General Work Visa: Proof you have the required vocational qualification.
• For Germany Special Work Visa: Documentation of your professional knowledge and experience – this includes CV, recommendation papers by former employers, university diplomas, certificates and everything else that shows proof you have the professional capability to work.
• Health insurance coverage for foreign workers in Germany.
• Cover Letter: A cover letter is a document that explains the purpose and intention behind your application for the visa. Sometimes, the German Embassy may require you to submit a cover letter as part of your application for a Germany Employment Visa.

Usually, each original document is required with two copies so take care to photocopy them all.

Germany Work Visa Application

The application procedure for a German long stay work visa is pretty much the same as the application procedure for every long stay German visa. You can start applying for your Germany work visa by following these steps:

• Prepare your Germany work visa application in advance – Get the list of the documents required for the visa you wish to apply for and gather them all, including the German work visa application form. Print the form and sign it at the end, if required. Fill the form here.
• Make an appointment – You can make a German work visa interview appointment online, through the website of the German mission in your country. If you do not book an appointment before you go to the Application center, they will not accept your documents or application.
• On the day of the interview – Make sure to be on time at the application center since they may not accept your application if you are late. After the verification of your appointment letter, you will be issued a token. The submission process takes around 10 minutes to complete.
• Entering of application information – After your application has been verified, all of the information on the application form will be entered into the German consulate’s online system, and you will be sent a printed copy. This process usually takes 10-15 minutes. After receiving the printed form, please double-check all of the details and sign it.’
• Pay the fees for Germany work visa application – After you pay the fee, you will be issued a receipt, which you have to keep in order to collect your processed application later.
• Biometric data collection – Once the application has been completed, biometrics will be collected. This is a quick process that captures a 10-digit fingerprint scan with a digital finger scanner. It usually takes 7-8 minutes per applicant.

After completing all of these steps, the application process is complete. Your application will be processed by the embassy or consulate to which you applied. It may also request additional documents in the meantime, as previously mentioned. Take care to provide any additional information requested, or your visa may be denied.

Please keep in mind that your passport will remain at the Embassy / Consulate where you applied throughout the duration of your Germany Work visa application. If you need to withdraw your passport for any reason, including travel, you must apply again from the beginning.

Bringing family members in Germany on a German Work Visa

Nationals of European Union member states who work in Germany may bring their family members, such as a spouse, children under the age of 21, parents, and grandparents, as long as they have the financial resources to support them and can provide adequate living space.

Non-EU citizens on a working visa typically have children under the age of 18, spouses, and, in some cases, other family members. Certain conditions must be met before a family reunion can occur, including:

• Having enough room for the people they want to bring up which is judged by the German embassy / consulate during the processing of the application.
• Sufficient and secured finances, in order to be able to support the people you bring up.
• Basic knowledge of German language.

The family members must apply for a German Family Reunion Visa and follow the required procedures in order to be able to join their relative in Germany. The decision whether the candidate should or should not be granted with a visa is upon the visa officials.

After You Arrive in Germany With an Employment Visa

German authorities give you two weeks to register your address after you arrive with an employment visa.

Find a registration office near your German home. Bring your visa and a bill or rental contract showing your address.

Apply for a German Employment Residence Permit afterward. Set up an appointment with the German Immigration Authorities. Show up to your appointment with all required documents. Pay the fee and meet with an immigration officer briefly.