Germany offers lucrative job opportunities to students and job seekers. Top job sectors in Germany include the Mechanical and automotive Sector, building and construction sector, electrical and electronics industry, information technology and telecommunications, health sector, etc.

Foreign nationals, except in some countries, must apply for a work visa to be able to work in Germany. This piece of writing elaborates on various aspects of German work permit visa for Indian citizens.

A German work visa is a legal document that offers qualified foreign nationals, such as Indians, an opportunity to work and settle in Germany.

What Are the Types of Work Visas in Germany?

To work in Germany, individuals can apply for a German Long-stay Visa. This visa has the following categories:

• Working Visa– This is applicable to individuals who already have a job offer in Germany.
• Working as an Au Pair – This visa is available for young adults who wish to learn about the German culture and language. Individuals cannot work for more than 12 months, but they need to stay for at least 6 months.
• Jobseeker Visa – Individuals who wish to search for a job during their stay in Germany. It is a Long-Term Residency Permit, which lets applicants stay in Germany for 6 months and look for a job. If applicants find a job at the end of the six months, they will be issued a German work visa or a German work permit to work and live there.

For business purposes, individuals can visit Germany. For this, they need to obtain a business visa,

• Business Visa– Self-employed individuals willing to establish a business in Germany or work as a freelancer. It is a short-stay Schengen visa that allows its holder to enter and stay in the country for up to 90 days within 6 months.

The ‘Act on the Residence’ regulates the residence issue for foreign nationals in Germany.

Here is a list of categories (as stated by the ‘Act on the Residence’) that are eligible to apply for a German Employment Visa:

• Highly qualified foreigners, including researchers with special technical knowledge, teaching personnel in respectable positions or scientific personnel in prominent positions,
• Intra-corporate transferees, especially managers, specialists,
• Third-world country nationals, including Indians with a university degree or a non-academic vocational qualification.

Here, Third-world country nationals can get German Employment Visa in Germany under the following circumstances:

• Applicants must have a job offer,
• Their education must be equivalent to a German degree,
• The profession they want to practice in Germany has a shortage of skilled workers.

Individuals must already have a job offer or contract to issue a work visa. Then, they must apply for a German visa application with other sets of documents.

Here is a step-by-step guide on the application process for a German work visa.

Step 1 - Secure a job offer in Germany.

Step 2 - Check whether you need a job visa in Germany. As per the regulations set by the German Government, Indians must obtain a work visa to commence work in Germany. It is the applicant’s responsibility to apply for a work visa in Germany.   

Step 3 - Find out the place to submit the application form. In India, there is 1 German Embassy situated in Delhi and 4 consulates spread across the country. These 4 locations are Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai.  

Step 4 - Gather all the required documents (discussed later).

Step 5 - Schedule an appointment for the visa interview.

Step 6 - Pay the German work visa application fee (discussed later).

Step 7 - Attend the interview on the fixed date.

Step 8 - Wait for the response or visa application approval.

Applicants must submit the following list of documents to get a work visa in Germany.

• Passport with a validity of a minimum of 3 months beyond intended stay in Germany and 1 blank page.
• Current bank statement, of latest 6 months (Online Bank statements will not be accepted).
• Leave permission from your previous employer.
• Proof of residence (Driver’s license and/or utility bill).
• An employment contract / binding job offer that has details of gross annual salary and a thorough description of the employment in Germany.
• Approval by the Federal Employment Agency (if applicable).
• Proof of Qualification.
• Updated CV with details of academic qualifications and job experience.
• Health insurance collected from the German employer becomes valid from the date of employment. If applicants do not have this document, they need to furnish separate travel insurance that will be valid from the time of arrival in Germany until the beginning of employment.
• A personal cover letter that explains the purpose and duration of stay.
• Proof of paid visa application fee.
• Declaration of Accuracy of Information.
• 2 copies of the completed application forms signed at the end. Applicants must take a printout of the same.
• 2 passport photographs as per the standards set by the ICAO.
• Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.

Self-employed must submit the following documents:

• Company bank statement of the previous 6 months
• Income Tax Return (ITR)
• A copy of your business license in India

It can take 1 -3 months (from the date of application) to process the German Long-stay visa.

What Is the Cost for a Germany Work Visa?

The visa fee for a German long-stay visa is €75.

Applicants must check with the Embassy as they may have to pay lesser fees depending on the circumstances or country of origin.

What Is the Validity of a Germany Work Visa?

The long-term German visa comes with a validity of 2 years.

Please note that the validity of a residence permit depends on the duration of the employment contract. Here, a possibility of extension also works as long as the applicant’s employment status does not change.

As employees are responsible for applying for a German work visa, they must be careful while applying for the same; otherwise, it can lead to work visa refusal.

Below are listed some common reasons for German work visa rejection:

• Submitting insufficient documents,
• Having an invalid or damaged passport,
• Submitting incomplete application forms or leaving a few pages blank,
• Not having enough proof the return to home country,
• Insufficient travel insurance coverage,
• Having past or current criminal record.

As employees are responsible for applying for a German work visa, they must be careful while applying for the same; otherwise, it can lead to work visa refusal.

Below are listed some common reasons for German work visa rejection:

• Submitting insufficient documents,
• Having an invalid or damaged passport,
• Submitting incomplete application forms or leaving a few pages blank,
• Not having enough proof the return to home country,
• Insufficient travel insurance coverage,
• Having past or current criminal record.

Once applicants arrive in Germany, they need to apply for a residence permit for work purposes.

After arriving in Germany, individuals need to get a German Residence permit.

For this, they have to visit the nearest Foreigner’s Office in Germany and schedule an appointment for an interview (if required).

Individuals need to attend an interview and submit essential documents. These are as follows:

• Valid national passport,
• Application form for a Residence Permit,
• Proof of job offer,
• Proof that applicants know the German language
• Proof of clean criminal record
• Health Insurance Confirmation,
• Two photos.

Individuals can extend a German work visa and later apply for an EU Blue Card (applicants must have a high income and a recognised university degree in Germany) or other types of residence permits.

Now that individuals know the eligibility and application process for German work permit visas for Indian citizens getting the same will not be a hassle anymore.