EU Blue Card Germany: Unlocking Opportunities – Your Path to European Immigration(2023)
The EU Blue Card is a prestigious and sought-after work and residence permit for highly skilled non-European Union (EU) professionals looking to advance their careers in Germany. This remarkable program is designed to attract talent worldwide, offering a gateway to one of Europe’s economic powerhouses. With its numerous advantages, the EU Blue Card presents a golden opportunity for individuals with specialized skills and qualifications to live and work in Germany, fostering innovation and contributing to the country’s vibrant international workforce. This guide’ll provide a comprehensive overview of the EU Blue Card program in Germany, outlining the eligibility criteria, the application process, and the incredible benefits it offers to eligible candidates. Embark on your journey to a rewarding career in Germany today.
A German Blue Card can be obtained by meeting the following criteria:
1. You possess both academic and professional credentials.
You are required to possess a tertiary education degree, either obtained in Germany or from an internationally recognized institution. Certain vocations, such as healthcare, legal practice, education, and engineering, are subject to regulation, hence, apart from submitting your degree, you must also acquire its recognition. The authorities responsible for recognition vary depending on your occupation.
2. The job offer is commensurate with your qualifications.
You are required to possess a definitive employment proposition from a German employer. Upon applying for the Blue Card, a work contract stipulating the position and salary offered must be submitted. You are obligated to be employed by someone.
3. Your salary is no less than 150% of the national average.
The salary you are entitled to must exceed the national salary average in Germany by at least 50%. The candidate must earn at least €56,400 in gross salary (pre-tax) in 2022, which is a decrease from €56,800 in 2021. Provided that your yearly salary is a minimum of €44,304, you could be granted a Blue Card if you apply for a job in a field experiencing a shortage, such as science, medicine, engineering, IT, architecture, and so on. In order to obtain an EU Blue Card with a reduced salary, authorization from the Federal Employment Agency is required.
In case of uncertainty about your job position’s EU Blue Card eligibility, it is advisable to seek counsel from professionals, like the immigration law experts. They possess comprehensive knowledge regarding all issues concerning German Blue Cards.
Professions that meet the requirements for the German EU Blue Card. Among the most sought-after careers in Germany are:
- Architects as well as interior designers
- Engineers
- Experts in information and communication technologies.
- Mathematicians
- Health professionals
- Scientists
- Scientific engineers
- Specialists in urban and traffic planning.
The professional domains that render you eligible for a German Blue Card are those that mandate a university degree. In the event of being highly qualified in your field, you meet the requirements for a German Blue Card.
What are the possible job hunting avenues in Germany?
You have the opportunity to seek employment in Germany via online job portals. The German Ministry of Education and Research has identified the subsequent websites as excellent reference points for individuals pursuing jobs in qualified professions:
- Euraxess.de
- Academics.com
- The website for EURES is located at ec.europa.eu/eures.
- Alumniportal-deutschland.org
- Obboerse.arbeitsagentur.de
- Bund.de
The Application Process for the EU Blue Card in Germany.
The exclusive authority to issue an EU Blue Card is vested in the Foreigner’s Office located in Germany. Upon securing employment in Germany, it is necessary to approach the German embassy in one’s country of origin to obtain an entry visa*. Upon arrival in Germany, one can obtain a Blue Card. Presented below is a guide that follows a step-by-step approach:
To arrange a visa appointment, you must contact the German embassy or consulate in your nation. In the event that there is no embassy of Germany in your nation, you might need to travel to a nearby country to apply.
Procure the necessary documentation: The German embassy shall furnish a catalogue of papers that must be obtained for a German work visa application. This encompasses various documents such as your work contract, academic certifications, travel health insurance, among others.
Kindly submit the visa application by providing the visa documents and paying the fee on the day of your appointment. There is a possibility that you may be requested to participate in an interview.
This document represents a work entry visa. Upon arrival in Germany, it is still necessary to apply for the Blue Card. The period for hearing a decision on your visa application ranges from one to three months. In the event that your visa application is approved, you will be granted a visa that permits you to enter Germany.
You are required to register your residence, acquire German health insurance, and establish a bank account there.
To acquire an EU Blue Card, one must submit an application at the German Foreigner’s Authority, also known as the Ausländerbehörde, after settling their residence, banking, and health insurance.
Nationals of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America are exempted from obtaining an entry visa for employment at the German embassy. They can apply for an EU Blue Card directly at the German Foreigner’s Authority.
Submission of Application for Authority.
The process of applying for the Blue Card while already present in Germany.
In the event that you are currently residing in Germany and presented with an offer that qualifies you for a Blue Card, it is possible to apply for it at the local Ausländerbehörde (German Foreigner’s Authority). The process must be initiated six weeks before the expiration of your current residence permit.
Seeking Professional Assistance for German Blue Card Application. It is also possible to engage professionals to assist with your EU Blue Card application. Their services include providing consultation, assisting with the application process, and addressing any inquiries that may arise throughout the entire process. Individuals who are unfamiliar with German bureaucracy may find this to be highly advantageous.
The requirements for obtaining Germany Blue Card.
The documents needed to apply for a Blue Card in Germany are as follows:
- The passport has been authorized and is currently valid.
- A biometric picture captured lately, measuring 35mm x 45mm.
- The document outlining the terms of your employment.
- Form for Residency Permit Application.
- Declaration concerning the employment relationship. This is mandatory in case you require additional approval from the Federal Employment Agency.
- Registration of your residence in Germany. Upon arrival in Germany, it is mandatory to register your address within the first two weeks. Kindly provide the certificate of registration as evidence of your primary residence in Germany.
- Your academic degree conferred by a university or college.
- In the event it becomes necessary: Accreditation of your degree by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).
- Documentation of health insurance coverage.
- In the event that you possess public health insurance, kindly provide your electronic health card together with a confirmation of health insurance.
- In case you possess private insurance, kindly furnish the certificate provided by the insurance company along with evidence showing the payment of your contributions.
- License for professional practice. In professions that mandate an occupational license, such as medicine or law.
- Processing Time for the EU Blue Card in Germany
The decision regarding your German Blue Card application will take approximately five to six weeks to be communicated by the Ausländerbehörde. The Foreigner’s Authority will collaborate with the German Federal Employment Agency to provide your residence and work permit.
May I inquire about the cost associated with obtaining a German Blue Card?
The cost of obtaining a German Blue Card amounts to €110. Nevertheless, the cost may vary from €100 to €140 across diverse German constituent states.
Is it permissible to bring my family to Germany with a Blue Card?
The Blue Card allows for the inclusion of immediate family members on your journey to Germany. This comprises your spouse and dependent children. The German family reunion visa permits your family members to enjoy equivalent healthcare, education, and social benefits as you do and allows them to pursue education and work in any occupation.
Is it possible for me to work in the EU with a German Blue Card?
The German Blue Card cannot be utilized for work in other parts of Europe. You must meet specific criteria and secure a job before applying for the EU Blue Card to work in the other country.
Once you have completed 18 months of work in Germany, it is possible to apply for an EU Blue Card in a different country. The validity of the EU Blue Card in Germany is being questioned.
The German Blue Card’s validity extends for the duration of your work contract and an additional three months. The maximum period for which it can be issued is four years. If your contract ends before you are eligible for settlement, you have three months to find a new job while staying in Germany.
Upon completion of a 33-month residence period, you are eligible to apply for settlement in Germany, which will exempt you from renewing your Blue Card and grant you indefinite residency in the country. If you can speak German proficiently, you can apply for settlement after only 21 months of residence.
Will the termination or loss of my job result in the forfeiture of my German Blue Card?
It is important to note that the loss or change of employment does not automatically result in the forfeiture of one’s German Blue Card. In the event of job loss, a grace period of three months is given to search for a suitable replacement position. You are required to obtain a German Blue Card in accordance with your new employment.
In the event of a job change, it is mandatory to inform the Foreigner’s Authority so that the Blue Card can be adjusted accordingly. Once you achieve the status of a settled resident, it is no longer necessary to inform the Foreigner’s Authority in the event of a job change or job loss.
One Comment