Applying for an EU Blue Card for highly qualified employment

  • Service description

    Highly qualified foreign nationals who wish to pursue employment in Germany that is commensurate with their qualifications can obtain an EU Blue Card.

    Exception: Citizens of EU member states have access to the labour market due to their right to freedom of movement. They can be self-employed or employed in Germany under the right of establishment or freedom of movement for workers. This also applies to other nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals. For nationals of the EU member states Bulgaria and Romania, there are still transitional regulations regarding the free movement of labour and the freedom to provide services. They must obtain a work permit from the relevant employment agency before taking up employment.

    You can obtain the EU Blue Card for a maximum of 4 years when it is first issued. If your employment contract has a duration of less than 4 years, you will receive the EU Blue Card for the duration of the employment contract plus 3 months.

    Please note: If you want to change your job in the first 2 years after the EU Blue Card has been issued, you must obtain permission from the immigration authority.

    Holders of an EU Blue Card can obtain a settlement permit if they

    • have been employed for at least 33 months,
    • have paid contributions to the statutory pension insurance scheme or another pension scheme with comparable benefits for this period and fulfil the following additional requirements:
      • Their stay does not jeopardise or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
      • You are allowed to pursue gainful employment and have all the necessary licences to do so.
      • You have sufficient knowledge of German and basic knowledge of the German legal and social system.
      • They have plenty of living space for themselves and their family.

    Anyone who can prove language skills at level B1 and fulfils the other requirements can obtain a settlement permit after just 21 months of employment and payment of contributions.

  • Procedure

    Before travelling to Germany, you must apply for a national visa in your home country. The representation of the Federal Republic of Germany will involve the responsible immigration authority. In the visa procedure, you must provide information about your job in Germany. This enables the authority to check whether the Federal Employment Agency has to approve your employment.

    After entering Germany, you must apply for a residence permit in writing at the immigration office before your visa expires. Depending on where you live, the foreigners authority is the city administration or the district office.

    Note: The Foreigners' Registration Office will obtain the approval of the Federal Employment Agency if this is required.

    Since 01.09.2011, you will receive the residence permit in the form of a cheque card with additional electronic functions. You can find more information on this under "Applying for an electronic residence permit (eAT)".

  • Prerequisites

    The requirements for the EU Blue Card are

    • You fulfil the passport and visa requirements.
      To fulfil the passport requirement, it is sufficient if you have a replacement identity document.
    • They receive an annual salary of at least 47,600.00 euros. For certain professions (scientists, mathematicians, engineers, doctors and IT specialists), a minimum salary of 37,128.00 euros applies.
    • There are no grounds for deportation against you.
    • Their stay does not jeopardise or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
    • You have
      • a German one,
      • a recognised foreign or
      • a foreign university degree comparable to a German university degree.
        The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs may determine by statutory order professions in which a qualification proven by at least 5 years of professional experience is equivalent to a university degree.
    • You have a job that matches your qualifications or a specific job offer that matches your qualifications.
    • The Federal Employment Agency approves the granting of the residence permit (only in cases where approval is required).

  • Which documents are required?

    • Proof of fulfilment of passport and visa requirements
    • Proof of the minimum salary
    • Proof of your university degree
    • Proof of employment or job offer
    • Proof that there are no grounds for deportation against you
    • Proof that you do not jeopardise or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany

  • What fees are incurred?

    • Issue: 100,00 Euro
    • Extension up to 3 months: 96,00 Euro
    • Extension of more than 3 months: 93,00 Euro

    It takes about five weeks to issue the residence permit. Therefore, please apply for it in good time. Otherwise, a fictitious certificate may be issued temporarily. The fee is €13.

  • Processing time

    4 - 6 weeks

  • Legal basis

  • Typing

    2/3

Who should I contact?

  • For the issue of a national visa before entering Germany: the German mission abroad (embassy, consulate)
  • after entry: the foreigners authority in whose district you usually reside.
    Foreigners authorities in Hesse are the district councils and mayors of the independent towns and towns belonging to districts with more than 50,000 inhabitants

Tip: The Federal Foreign Office provides a list of German missions abroad on its website.

Responsible departments