Working in Germany: Getting a German Work Permit (Part -01)

21-Feb-2024

Germany is a great choice for expats looking for a career boost!You can live and work in Germany even if you are not an EU citizen, provided that you meet the set eligibility criteria. To be allowed to live and work there legally, you must have a German work and residence permit. You don’t have to apply for a German work permit separately from a residence permit; you get them both through a single application at the German Immigration Authority Office (Ausländerbehörde). Most non-EU workers will also have to get a visa from a German Embassy or Consulate abroad. Categories of Work Permits in Germany There are different types of German work permits based on your qualifications and employment type: General Work Permit – You can apply for this type of German work permit if you have found a job in Germany which could not have been filled by an EU national. You don’t need to have extraordinary skills as long as you are qualified for the job. Highly Skilled Worker Permit – You can apply for this type of work permit if you are a highly skilled worker with a lot of experience and a high income. The EU Blue Card for Germany – You can apply for an EU Blue Card if your salary will be at least €56,400 per year or €43,992 per year if you are in a shortage occupation. Work Permit for Freelancers – You can apply for this type of permit if you are a freelancer or self-employed individual and you can prove you have prospective clients. Eligible Foreign Workers in Germany Anyone who finds employment in Germany can apply for a German work permit, but the application process and requirements differ depending on where you come from. There are three qualifying categories, depending on nationality: EU/EEA/Switzerland USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan, or South Korea Other non-EU nationals Foreign Workers from the EU, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland If you are a citizen of the EU, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Iceland, you do not need to apply for a visa nor a permit to work in Germany. The only thing you must do is register your stay if you plan to be there for longer than three months. To register your say, you must visit the local Residence Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) or Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde). Foreign Workers from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan, or South Korea If you are from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan, or South Korea, you can go to Germany, find work, and apply for the work and residence permit directly from the Ausländerbehörde. You do not need to get an entry visa for employment from the German Embassy in your home country. Other non-EU nationals If you are from another non-EU country (outside the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan, or South Korea) then the work permit application is a little more complicated. You have to: Find a job. Apply for an entry visa for employment purposes from the German Embassy. Travel to Germany and apply for the work and residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde. Alternatively, you can also: Apply for a Job-Seeker Visa for Germany. Find employment. Submit your work residence permit application to the Ausländerbehörde. What you cannot do is enter Germany with a Schengen Visa or through the visa-free agreement and apply for the work permit. Your application will be immediately rejected. You must prove to the Immigration Authority that you have entered Germany with the purpose of employment, not tourism.