From abroad · Visa

Visa and entry

Which route fits depends on whether your qualification is already recognised and whether you have an employment contract. EU citizens do not need a visa. For everyone else, the most important routes at a glance.

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Routes

Which residence permit?

RouteRequirementsSuitable for
Skilled worker § 18a / § 18b AufenthGRecognised qualification plus a concrete job offerStandard route after Approbation or recognition; residence permit up to four years
Recognition partnership (Anerkennungspartnerschaft) § 16d para. 3Employment contract, at least two years of training, German A2Entry before recognition is completed, procedure runs in Germany; side job up to 20 hours/week
Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) § 20a / § 20bPoints system (6 points) or fully equivalent qualificationUp to 12 months of job search in Germany, trial work permitted
EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU)University degree plus salary above threshold (2025: €48,300; shortage occupations/IT €43,759.80)Physicians with Approbation, IT and engineering profiles
Accelerated skilled-worker procedure § 81aEmployer applies at the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde), fee €411Shortens recognition and visa; appointment in about three weeks, decision about three weeks after that

The process in practice

  1. Secure an employment contract or binding offer (we help with this).
  2. Ideally, the employer starts the accelerated procedure.
  3. Visa application at the German mission abroad with prior approval.
  4. Entry, registration, residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde (immigration office) (Heidelberg: City of Heidelberg; Mannheim: City of Mannheim).

Source: IHK, Skilled Immigration Act (as of 2025). Thresholds change annually. As of October 2026, without guarantee; binding information is at make-it-in-germany.com and from the German mission abroad.