The EU Blue Card (Section 18g of the Residence Act/AufenthG) is a special residence title designed to attract highly skilled individuals from non-EU countries to Germany.
It offers several benefits, such as:
- you can live and work anywhere in Germany
- you can bring your family with you
- a path to permanent residency
- visiting other Schengen countries without a visa
- the ability to work in high-demand fields.
If you are planning to work in Germany and meet the necessary qualifications, the Blue Card may be an ideal solution for you.
Below are the five essential steps for obtaining a Blue Card.
1. Ensure You Meet the Eligibility Requirements
Before applying for a Blue Card, it is crucial to determine if you meet the specific eligibility criteria.
These include:
- Higher education: You must have a university degree, or an equivalent qualification, that is recognized in Germany.
- Employment contract in Germany: You need to have a job offer. You must work for a German employer, or an employer with an office in Germany. You can work remotely, but you must be an employee, not a freelancer.
- The period of employment must be at least six months.
- The job must match your educational background.
- A high salary: As of 2024, the gross annual salary must be at least €45.300 (or €41,041,80 for shortage occupations such as IT specialists, engineers, and medical professionals).
- Health insurance: You must have valid health insurance in Germany, either through the statutory health system or private insurance.
You do not need to speak German to get a Blue Card.
2. Gather the Required Documents
Once you have a job offer, you will need to gather several key documents for your Blue Card application.
The full checklist depends on the competent German embassy or consulate in your home country or the local foreign office in Germany – based on where you apply.
These typically include:
- A valid passport
- Application form
- A recognized university degree or proof of qualifications
- A signed employment contract or an offer letter and additional documents from your employer
- Proof of health insurance coverage
- Your CV
- A recent biometric photograph
Additional documents may vary from country to country and foreign office to foreign office. These documents should be submitted in their original form and translated into German if necessary.
3. Submit Your Application
With all the required documents in hand, you can submit your Blue Card application. There are two ways to apply:
- At the German Embassy or Consulate in your home country: If you are not yet in Germany, you can apply for a Blue Card at the nearest German consulate or embassy in your home country before traveling to Germany.
This process might take several weeks, so it is important to apply well in advance. Getting an appointment at the German embassy or consulate in some countries can take months. Go to your visa appointment and submit your documents.
If you have all the required documents, the submission itself only takes a few minutes. - In Germany: If you are already in Germany on another legal status, you can submit your application at the local Foreigners’ Office (Ausländerbehörde). You must apply at the foreign office, where you live. You can’t apply in another city.
If you are a citizen of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom or the United States, you can travel to Germany without a visa.
You are allowed to stay 90 days in Germany without a residence permit. You can look for a job, and apply for the Blue Card in the city where you are registered. You can’t work before you get your Blue Card.
The application will typically take a few weeks to process, during which time you may be asked to provide additional information and attend an appointment.
4. Wait for Approval
After submitting your file, the authorities will process your application and you will need to wait for approval.
The processing time can vary depending on your country of origin and specific circumstances. Once your Blue Card is approved, it allows you to live and work in Germany.
If you apply in Germany, in most cases, your National Visa usually stays valid while you wait.
If it expires, you don’t have to leave Germany. You might get a document called Fiktionsbescheinigung that allows you to travel outside of Germany with an expired visa.
5. Receive Your Blue Card
If you apply in your home country, you must go to the embassy or consulate again.
They will give you your National Visa. With your National Visa you can enter Germany and start working.
After you arrive in Germany, you need to register your address, get your tax ID and open a bank account. You must convert your visa into a Blue Card residence permit at the local foreign office.
If you apply in Germany, the foreign office will email you.
They will invite you for an appointment and send you the list of the required documents you need to bring with you. If they approve your Blue Card, they must print the physical card.
You will get a second appointment to pick up your Blue Card. Go to your second appointment to the foreign office to pick up your residence permit.
Bring your passport and double-check if the information on your card is correct. Your Blue Card will be a plastic card and the expiration date is written on it. It will include your job details and other relevant personal information.
Most of the time, if your work contract is unlimited, it is valid for 4 years. If you have a limited work contract, your Blue Card is valid for a shorter time.
You also get a Zusatzblatt/additional green sheet. It describes the detailed conditions, for example, it can say that you can have freelance activities, or that you can only work for your current employer.
As you work in Germany, you can apply for a permanent residence permit after 27 months, if you speak A1 German, or just 21 months if you can demonstrate B1 proficiency in German language.
Conclusion
Obtaining a Blue Card in Germany is an excellent way for skilled professionals from outside the EU to pursue career opportunities in one of Europe’s most prosperous and dynamic economies.
By following the five steps, you can successfully obtain a Blue Card and begin your career in Germany.
With the added benefits of potential permanent residency and family reunification, the Blue Card represents a significant opportunity for career growth and a brighter future in Germany.
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