Work / Employment in Germany: Requirements and Fees

Skilled Worker Visa (Qualified Professional, §§18a/18b AufenthG)

Residence permit for non-EU nationals with recognised vocational training (§18a) or a recognised/comparable academic degree (§18b) who have a concrete job offer for qualified employment in Germany.

Processing time: Several weeks to a few months depending on the mission; accelerated skilled worker procedure (§81a) targets a few weeks once the employer files. Federal Foreign Office does not publish fixed processing times.
Validity: Up to 4 years (or duration of contract plus extension).
Language requirement: No statutory German requirement for the visa itself; B1 required later for the 3-year settlement permit. Regulated professions may require language proof.
Permanent residence: Settlement permit under §18c(1) after 3 years holding the title with 36 months of pension contributions, B1 German, and the 'Living in Germany' test.
Citizenship: Naturalisation after 5 years (3 years with C1 and special integration achievements).

Requirements

Valid passport
Recognition of qualification in Germany (vocational via responsible chamber; academic via anabin database or ZAB Statement of Comparability)
Concrete job offer / employment contract for qualified employment
Health insurance
For applicants over 45 on first entry: gross salary of at least EUR 55,770 or proof of adequate pension provision
Federal Employment Agency (BA) approval where required

Required Documents

Valid passport required
Completed national visa application required
Biometric photos required
Employment contract or binding job offer (Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis form) required
Proof of qualification recognition (chamber for vocational; anabin/ZAB for academic) required
Proof of health insurance required
Professional practice authorisation for regulated professions
Proof of accommodation/secured livelihood

Official fees

National D visa 75 EUR
Residence permit issued in Germany 100 EUR
Qualification recognition (Anerkennung) procedure (typical range) 600 EUR

Process Steps

1

Get qualification recognised

Obtain recognition of vocational/academic qualification, or start a Recognition Partnership (§16d).
2

Sign job offer

Conclude an employment contract for qualified employment.
3

Apply on Consular Services Portal

Submit the national visa application via the Federal Foreign Office portal (digital.diplo.de/navi).
4

Embassy appointment

Attend the German mission, submit biometrics and originals.
5

BA + foreigners authority approval

The mission forwards the file to the Ausländerbehörde, which obtains Federal Employment Agency approval where required.
6

Enter, register, collect eAT

Enter Germany, register at the Bürgeramt, and collect the electronic residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde before the visa expires.

Official Sources

Experienced Professionals Visa (§19c(2) AufenthG)

Work visa for experienced professionals whose qualification is recognised in their country of origin (not yet requiring full German recognition), with relevant practical experience and a minimum salary.

Processing time: Several weeks to a few months; varies by mission.
Validity: Up to 3 years.
Language requirement: No statutory German requirement for issuance.
Permanent residence: Settlement permit generally after qualifying residence; typically 4 years on this title (or earlier on conversion to a skilled-worker title).
Citizenship: Naturalisation after 5 years (3 with exceptional integration).

Requirements

Valid passport
Qualification recognised in country of origin (at least 2 years for non-academic, or academic degree)
Proof of relevant practical experience
Defined minimum salary
Federal Employment Agency (BA) approval

Required Documents

Valid passport required
Visa application required
Proof of qualification recognised in country of origin required
Proof of relevant practical experience required
Employment contract meeting the minimum salary required
Proof of health insurance required

Process Steps

1

Secure job offer

Obtain an employment contract meeting the salary threshold.
2

Apply via Consular Portal

Submit the national visa application online.
3

Mission appointment and BA approval

Attend the mission; foreigners authority obtains BA approval.
4

Enter and obtain permit

Register and collect the residence permit.

Official Sources

Visa for professionally experienced workers — Make it in Germany Official

Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) Card (§19 AufenthG)

The ICT Card enables employees of non-EU headquartered companies to be temporarily transferred to a German branch, subsidiary, or affiliate within the same corporate group. It covers managers, specialists, and trainees and implements EU Directive 2014/66/EU. The card has been part of the German Residence Act since 2017.

Processing time: Several weeks; exact duration depends on the Foreigners' Authority. If the application is submitted at least 20 days before entry with a valid ICT permit from another EU state (Mobile ICT Card), residence and employment are provisionally authorised for up to 90 days within 180 days pending a decision.
Validity: Up to 3 years for managers and specialists; up to 1 year for trainees. Duration is tied to the transfer assignment.
Language requirement: No German language requirement for the ICT Card itself. Language skills may be relevant for specific roles but are not a statutory condition.
Permanent residence: The ICT Card is a temporary transfer permit and does not in itself lead to a settlement permit or permanent residence. Extended lawful residence under other permits may count toward settlement eligibility.

Requirements

Employer is headquartered outside the European Union
Transfer is to a German branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of the same corporate group
Applicant holds one of the qualifying roles: Manager, Specialist, or Trainee
At least 6 months of uninterrupted prior employment with the company or corporate group
Transfer duration exceeds 90 days
Valid employment contract and assignment letter (where applicable) for the transfer period
Professional qualifications appropriate to the role (except trainees where a university degree suffices)
Proof of ability to return to a non-EU location of the company after the transfer ends
At least 6 months elapsed since any previous ICT stay in the EU

Required Documents

Valid passport (at least 6 months validity beyond intended stay) required
Completed residence permit application form required
Employment contract valid for the duration of the transfer required
Assignment/secondment letter specifying location, role, remuneration, and working conditions required
Proof of professional qualifications (degree certificates, professional credentials) required
Evidence of at least 6 months prior employment with the company or group required
Proof of accommodation in Germany required
Biometric passport photograph required
Proof of health insurance covering the transfer period required
BAMF employer notification form (for Mobile ICT Card notifications)

Official fees

Residence permit issuance fee (standard) 100 EUR
National visa application fee (if applying from abroad) 75 EUR

Process Steps

1

Confirm eligibility

Verify that the employing company is headquartered outside the EU, the receiving German entity is part of the same corporate group, and the role qualifies as Manager, Specialist, or Trainee under §19 AufenthG.
2

Gather documents

Collect employment contract, assignment letter, proof of qualifications, 6-month employment history with the group, accommodation proof, and health insurance coverage.
3

Apply for a national visa (if required)

Citizens of countries not exempt from the visa requirement must apply for a national (Type D) visa at the German embassy or consulate in their country of residence before entry. Fee: €75.
4

Register in Germany and apply for the ICT Card

Upon arrival, register your address (Anmeldung) at the local registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt). Then apply for the ICT Card at the responsible Foreigners' Authority (Ausländerbehörde). Fee: €100.
5

Employer notification to BAMF (Mobile ICT)

For the Mobile ICT Card variant, the employer must notify BAMF using the official notification form at least 20 days before the employee begins work in Germany.
6

Receive ICT Card

Once approved, the ICT Card is issued for the duration of the transfer, up to the statutory maximum (3 years for managers/specialists, 1 year for trainees).

Official Sources

§19 AufenthG — ICT Card (Gesetze im Internet) Official
BAMF — Intra-corporate transfer (ICT Card) Official
Make it in Germany — Intra-corporate transfer (ICT card) Official