Germany is a European country with the strongest economy in the region and a developed social sphere. Many foreigners dream of living and working in this country, but to move you need to get a visa. One of the available types of permits is a job seeker visa. Find out who can get this type of visa and how to apply for a German job seeker visa

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Germany offers many opportunities for talented and qualified professionals. One of the most accessible migration routes is the job seeker visa. Find out who can apply for a job seeker visa in Germany and how to obtain this permit.

What is a job seeker visa in Germany?

A German job seeker visa is a residence permit that allows third-country nationals to enter the country and look for work for a certain period of time (usually around 6 months). After the specified period, if you have found a job, you can simply apply for a work visa and residence permit.

Who needs to apply for a German job seeker visa?

Citizens of all non-EU countries, including representatives of Armenia, Albania, Turkmenistan and Georgia, must obtain a job seeker visa.

DO NOT need to obtain a permit:

- EU/EEA and Swiss citizens.

- For citizens of Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Canada and the USA – if you are a citizen of these countries, you can enter Germany without a visa for 90 days. During this 90-day period, you can apply for a German job seeker visa.

Visa requirements for job seekers in Germany

Expats who meet the following requirements can apply for a job seeker visa in Germany:

- Are a third-country national who requires a visa to enter Germany.

- Have at least five years of work experience in a specific field.

- Have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their stay in Germany.

- Have proof of completed academic or vocational education.

- Your qualifications are recognized in Germany or are equivalent to a diploma obtained in the country.

Document package for obtaining a German job seeker visa

- Job seeker visa application form.

- Valid passport and a copy of it.

- Passport-sized photos.

- Proof of accommodation (hotel reservations, rental agreements or a letter of invitation if you are staying with a friend or family member).

- Proof of sufficient funds to stay in Germany (bank statement, escrow account, declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung), etc.).

- Proof of valid health insurance (with a minimum amount of 30,000 euros).

- Proof of academic qualifications.

- Proof of degree recognition, to obtain a job seeker visa, your degrees and other academic qualifications must be fully recognized in Germany.

- Your CV (CV – you must provide a resume with a detailed description of your professional experience and education).

- Cover letter.

Note! Each German embassy/consulate usually has slightly different application requirements. However, the documents listed below are the standard, minimum documents required to obtain a job seeker visa in Germany. Before making an appointment, we recommend that you double-check with your local embassy or consulate to see if they have any additional requirements beyond those listed above.

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Step-by-step procedure for applying for a job seeker visa

To apply for a job seeker visa in Germany, you must follow these steps:

1. Find out if you meet the requirements for the permit.

Make sure you meet the criteria for the visa - you have graduated from a university with a degree recognized in Germany, have taken the necessary steps to have your degree recognized, or have the necessary work experience.

2. Find a diplomatic mission to apply for.

You will most likely apply at the embassy or consulate of your country of residence.

Find your local German embassy or consulate here.

3. Schedule an appointment.

Make an appointment to apply for your visa at the embassy or consulate of your choice.

Important tip! Visa appointment slots often fill up months in advance. To avoid unexpected delays in visa issuance, we recommend that you start looking for a suitable appointment 3 months before your intended date of moving to Germany.

4. Prepare a complete package of documents.

Make sure that all documents meet the embassy's requirements, and some may require translation into German and legalization to be eligible for submission.

5. Pay the visa fee.

Pay the visa fee and attach the receipt to your package of documents. A visa for job seekers in Germany costs 75 euros.

6. Submit your application.

Visit the consulate on the appointed day and apply for your visa. If an interview is required, go through it.

7. Get your visa.

If your visa application is positive, you can get a visa and enter Germany and stay for the duration of your visa.

8. Enter the country.

Once you have received your visa, you can enter the country and start looking for work so that you can apply for a German work visa before the end of your visa.

Important! Within 2 weeks of your arrival in Germany, you must register your temporary address in the country with the local registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt).

In addition, you must also obtain a temporary residence permit for a job seeker, which you can obtain from the local foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) in Germany.

Contact a lawyer to find out about the available work visa options in Germany and to choose the best option for your trip!

How long does it take to get a German job seeker visa?

It usually takes 4-6 weeks to process your visa application for Germany, but this processing time can be longer depending on the embassy and whether your application is complete.

How long can you stay in Germany with a job seeker's visa?

Your German job seeker's visa is a national D visa, valid for six months.

Is it permissible to move to Germany with a job seeker's visa?

As a rule, a job seeker's visa does not allow you to bring your family to Germany.

However, if you have found a job and have been granted a work visa, you can support close relatives, i.e. your partner and children.

Can a German job seeker's visa be extended?

You cannot extend a job seeker's visa. After the visa expires, you must return to your home country.

You can reapply for the same visa after you have spent the same amount of time outside Germany as you did when you were in the country looking for work (6 months).

What should you do after you have found a job with a job seeker's visa?

If you have found a job in Germany while you are there on a jobseeker's visa, you can apply for an EU Blue Card, another type of work visa or a residence permit for skilled professionals at the competent immigration authority in your region (Ausländerbehörde or Ausländeramt).

Do you need proof of German language skills to apply for a jobseeker's visa?

You do not need to provide proof of language skills for a jobseeker's visa in Germany.

However, you are strongly advised to develop your German language skills, as this will give you a better chance of finding a job.

Can you work on the basis of a German jobseeker's visa?

In some cases, you may be allowed to work 10 hours a week on a trial basis in the position you have applied for.

A German job seeker visa allows an expat to enter the country without a job offer, to live legally in the country and look for a place to work, however, if you do not find a job within the specified period, you will have to return home. A job seeker visa is a great way for highly qualified professionals to find work in Germany.

As a reminder! From January 1, 2025, Germany has launched a revolutionary online portal that significantly simplifies the visa application process. Thanks to the new platform, applicants from anywhere in the world will be able to apply for a tourist, student or work visa digitally. We have already told you what is already known about the consular services portal in Germany.

Ihor Usyk - head of Visit World's legal department

When working abroad, expats often have various legal issues, because the legislation of each country is special. Consulting a specialist will help you understand all the intricacies of labor law. A labor and business lawyer is your reliable assistant in solving simple and complex issues in any corner of the world.

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in Germany;

Legal advice on business issues in Germany;

Travel insurance for foreigners in Germany;

Medical insurance around the world.

We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information, so if you notice any errors or inconsistencies, please contact our hotline.