Blue Card Visa in Germany

The German EU Blue Card is a German work residence permit. It is issued to non-EU nationals who have obtained a university education and want to work in skilled positions in Germany. To be eligible for a Blue Card visa, the salary must be higher than the national average.

Table of Content

• Who Can Apply For EU Blue Card Visa in Germany?
• Eligible Professions For German EU Blue Card
• Germany EU Blue Card Application Process
• Requirements For Germany Blue Card Visa
• Processing Time of German EU Blue Card
• A fee of the German EU Blue Card
• Can I Bring My Family With an EU Blue Card to Germany?
• Validity of the German EU Blue Card
• Conclusion

Who Can Apply For EU Blue Card Visa in Germany?

The person meeting the following criteria can apply for a German Blue Card visa.

• You Have Academic & Professional Qualifications 

You should have a higher education degree; it could be from German or from a recognized university in Germany. Specific professions such as law, engineering, health, and teaching are regulated. So, moreover, presenting your degree should also be recognized. The recognition authorities always differ based on your profession. You can check the list on the Recognition in Germany portal.

• You Must Have A Job Offer Appropriate For Your Qualifications 

You should have a job offer from a German employer and submit a work contract whenever you apply for the Blue Card. It states the position and the offered salary. In case you are working as self-employed, you can’t receive a German Blue Card visa.

• Your Salary Should Be At least 1.5 Times The National Average.

Your salary should be at least one and a half times the national salary average in Germany. According to the latest calculation in 2022, an individual has to earn a minimum gross salary with a tax of €56,400 – down from €56,800 in the year 2021. Suppose you are applying for a job in a field in shortage, such as medicine, science, engineering, architecture, IT, etc. In that case, you can get a Blue Card visa if your salary is a minimum of €44,304 annually. The people who want to get an EU Blue Card with a lower wage need approval from the Federal Employment Agency. Suppose your job position qualifies for an EU Blue Card. In that case, you can connect to professionals such as the immigration law experts at Schlun & Eleven Rechtsanwälte. They are experts in all matters related to the German Blue Card visa.

Eligible Professions For German EU Blue Card

There is a list of the professions most in demand in Germany.

• Architects & Interior Designers
• Engineers
• Health Professionals
• Information & Communication Technologies Specialists
• Mathematicians
• Scientists
• Scientific Engineers
• Urban & Traffic Planning Specialists 

The employment fields that make you eligible for a German Blue Card require a university degree. You are easily suitable for a German Blue Card visa if you are highly qualified in your field.

Germany EU Blue Card Application Process

You can get an EU Blue Card visa from the Foreigner’s Office in Germany. Once you get a job in Germany, you can approach the German embassy in your country to get an entry visa. Once you come to Germany, you can get your EU Blue Card. Please have a look at the step-by-step guide.

• Set up a Visa Appointment: First, contact the German embassy, or you can find a consulate in your home country to set up a visa appointment. You must travel to a neighboring country to apply if your country has no German embassy.

• Collect the Required Documents: You will get a list of documents required for a German work visa application from the German embassy. The records include your work contract, academic qualifications, travel health insurance, etc.

• Submit the Visa Application: You must submit the visa documents and a fee on your appointment date. You need to give an interview. It is an entry visa for employment. You still need to apply for the Blue Card visa once you arrive in Germany.

• Wait For a Decision: It usually takes one to three months to decide on your German visa application.

• Travel to Germany: If your German visa application is successful, you will get a visa and permission to enter Germany. You must register your residence there, obtain health insurance in Germany, and open a bank account.

• Get an EU Blue Card at the German Foreigner’s Authority: Once you have settled your residence, health insurance, and banking, you should apply for an EU Blue Card Visa at the German Foreigner’s Authority.

Citizens from Australia, Israel, Canada, Japan, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and the United States of America do not need to apply for an entry visa for employment at the German embassy. They are eligible to apply for an EU Blue Card directly at the German Foreigner’s Authority.

Requirements For Germany Blue Card Visa

A list of the following documents is required for a Blue Card application in Germany.

• Your passport.
• Latest 35mm x 45mm biometric picture.
• Your contract of employment.
• A resident permit application form.
• Declaration on the employment relationship. It is required in case you need further approval from the Federal Employment Agency.
• Your residence permit in Germany. When arriving in Germany, you must register your address within the first two weeks. You must submit the registration certificate as proof that you live in Germany.
• Your college or university degree. Your degree should be recognized by the Central Office for Foreign Education if needed.
• Health insurance proof. In case you have public health insurance, submit your electronic card and a confirmation of health insurance. If you have private health insurance, submit the insurance company’s certificate and proof of your paid contributions.
• Occupation practice permit. It is required for the occupations that require an occupational license, such as law or medicine. 

Processing Time of German EU Blue Card

The time takes between five to six weeks to hear back regarding your German Blue Card application. The Foreigner’s Authority cooperates with the German Federal Employment Agency to provide your residence and work permit.

A fee of the German EU Blue Card

The charge for a German Blue Card is €110. However, the fee may range from €100 to €140 in other German states.

Can I Bring My Family With an EU Blue Card to Germany?

Of course, you can bring your immediate family members to Germany on an EU Blue Card. You can call your spouse and dependent children. Moreover, your family members can join you with a family reunion visa. They can avail the same healthcare, education, and social benefits as you. They can also pursue an education and work in any occupation in Germany.

Validity of the German EU Blue Card

The German Blue Card is issued to you for the duration of your work contract plus three months. The maximum time is four years for EU Blue Card. In case your contract ends before you are eligible for a settlement. You still have three months to look for another job, and you can continue to live in Germany. After the completion of thirty-three months of residence, you can easily apply for settlement in Germany. That means you don’t need to renew your Blue Card, but you can live in Germany indefinitely. If you can speak German proficiently, you can easily apply for settlement only after twenty-one months of residence.

Conclusion

We hope you have received the information about the Blue Card visa in Germany. You have detailed information about the eligibility criteria, how to apply, and which documents you need for the application process. All this information will help you to get your Blue Card visa in Germany as soon as possible.