How to Get a Work Permit in Germany?

Germany is centrally located in Europe; thus, it is the ideal situation for exploring the continent. It has thriving opportunities for skilled workers who are looking to fill the shortage in many industries, especially IT, healthcare, Engineering, and hospitality. Thus, there are a lot of work opportunities which has initiated a lot of immigration. Work in Germany offers a high pay scale, growth prospects, and a high standard of living.

If you are a foreigner looking for a job in Germany, then you should know where to start job hunting and start by applying for a work permit. The EU/ EEA area ( Including Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) doesn't need a work permit to work in Germany. However, a citizen of new EU countries such as Bulgaria and Romania require a work permit to work in certain areas. All of EU/ EEA citizens should apply for a residency certificate within eight of their arrival in Germany to fit into the German Healthcare system. The citizens of Australia, America, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea can come to Germany without a Visa, and they can stay for 90 days. Non-EU residents need to apply for a work permit visa before they start working in Germany.

This article will help you understand ways through which you can apply for a work permit in Germany.

What are the different types of work visas for Germany?

Different types of work visas for Germany are –

• Working Visa - This Visa is for applicants who already have a job offer letter in Germany
• Working as an Au Pair - It is a visa given to young adults who wish to learn about German culture and Language. With this Visa, the applicants cannot work for more than 12 months, but they need to stay for at least six months
• Job seeker visa - This Visa is for applicants who wish to look for a Job in Germany during their stay in the country. It is also called a Long-term residency permit and allows the applicants to stay in Germany for six months and look for a Job. If, during this period, the appellant finds a job, then they will be issued a German work visa or German Work permit to live and work in the country.

A General Employment permit is for those who are working in Germany and don't require any higher education or special skills. Here the term "Special skills" is relevant. There are a lot of jobs that fall in the bracket of the General employment permit, and they require vocational certificates.

There is not one single work permit that is given to Germany. The applicant needs to choose the right option and a good consultant can help through the process

What are the requirements for a work visa in Germany?

• The educational qualification should be as per Germany's high education standard or they should have been undertaken from Germany.
• For professionals like healthcare, the professional practice permit is required
• For professionals over 45 years, the Gross salary should be € 48,180 or the appellant should be provided adequate old age pension provision
• Get your professional skills recognized by the German authorities
• If you have knowledge of the German Language, then you will have an advantage over the other applicants. The basic grasp of the German Language ( B2 or C2)
• The IELTS test is not required to qualify for a work visa in Germany. The English language requirements will vary depending on your work
• Your salary should be enough to support your family and yourself
• If you want to bring your children to Germany, then they need to be less than eighteen years of age

What are the documents required for the work permit in Germany?

Only the correct documents can ensure that the applicant will receive the work permit In Germany. The documents list entails the following –

• A job offer letter from a firm in Germany
• Valid passport with at least three months validity and one blank page
• Photographs – Two passport size
• Annexure for an employment permit
• Academic Qualification certificates
• Work experience letters
• Approval letter from the federal employment agency
• Bank statements for the last six months. Online statements will not be accepted.
• leave permission from the previous employer
• Personal information and proof of residence ( Utility bill / Driver's license etc)
• Updated CV and cover letter
• Health insurance collected from the German employer, which should be valid from the date you being your employment in Germany
• Proof that you have paid your application fee
• Two copies of the application form, which both should be signed
• Income tax Return ( ITR) form
• Self-employed persons should also submit their business license in India

What is the step-by-step process to get a Work permit Visa in Germany?

The applicants should take the following steps to get a work permit in Germany –

• Step 1 – Get a job offer from an employer in Germany
• Step 2 – As per the guidelines of the German Government, The Indians must get a work visa to commence work in Germany.
• Step 3 - Submit your application along with documents.
• Step 4 – Appear for the visa interview
• Step 5 – Pay your application fee
• Step 6 – Get the visa approval

What are the top work opportunities in Germany for 2023?

The top work opportunities for Germany in 2023 are in sectors such as

• Computer Science/ Information Technology
• Electronics engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Healthcare and Nursing
• Civil Engineering
• Architecture
• Finance
• Accounting & Management

While these can be called the prime sectors work in Germany it doesn’t mean that work opportunities are not there in different sectors. Germany is a highly developed nation and there are numerous opportunities and research forums for those who want to upgrade their skills and also get paid well for their professional work. Tourism and hospitality are among the sectors which have seen substantial growth over the years as a lot of people are exploring Germany now that pandemic times are over.

What are the processing time and costs for the Germany work permit visa?

It takes around one to three months to process the application for a German work visa. The cost of the Visa is € 75 or USD 90. The fee paid is not refundable even if the application is denied. The cost of health insurance will depend on the salary. If the applicant makes EUR 50,000 gross p. anum then the insurance of the applicant will be EUR 400 per month.

The long-term German Visa has a validity of two years. The validity will also depend on the duration of the employment contract.

The individual can extend the German Work visa, or they can apply for the EU Blue card or other forms of resident work permits.

The applicant can also choose the way to the Schengen visa If one wants to explore Germany and look for work. The validity of this Visa is for 90 days. The Schengen zone has 27 countries that have signed the Schengen agreement. There are different ways to go through the process, and a good immigration consultancy will be able to provide the correct guidance on the process. It will save both the time and money of the applicant.