VisaExplorer
🇩🇪

Germany — Visa Routes & Immigration Options

Berlin·German

Visa Routes (12)

workPath to citizenship

EU Blue Card

Germany's premier residence title for highly qualified non-EU professionals with a job offer meeting minimum salary thresholds.

$800~1 months processing
workPath to citizenship

Skilled Worker Visa — University Degree (S18b AufenthG)

General work permit for non-EU professionals holding a recognised university degree and a concrete German job offer.

$350~2 months processing
workPath to citizenship

Skilled Worker Visa — Vocational Qualification (S18a AufenthG)

Work permit for non-EU nationals with a recognised foreign vocational qualification and a German job offer.

$1,200~3 months processing
workPath to citizenship

Experienced Worker Permit — No Formal Degree (S19c(2) AufenthG)

New permit for experienced non-EU workers without a formal degree who have at least 2 years of relevant work experience plus vocational training.

$600~3 months processing
work

Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte S20a AufenthG)

Points-based job-search visa for non-EU nationals to come to Germany and look for work for up to 12 months.

$350~2 months processing
workPath to citizenship

Recognition Partnership Permit (S16d AufenthG)

Residence permit allowing non-EU nationals to enter Germany and complete the professional-qualification recognition process while already working.

$600~3 months processing
work

ICT Card — Intra-Corporate Transfer (S19 AufenthG)

Permit for non-EU executives, specialists, and trainees transferred to a German branch of a multinational company.

$250~1 months processing
freelancePath to citizenship

Freelancer / Self-Employment Visa (S21(5) AufenthG)

Residence permit for non-EU freelancers (Freiberufler) and self-employed professionals operating in Germany.

$550~3 months processing
startupPath to citizenship

Start-up / Business Founder Visa (S21(1) AufenthG)

Residence permit for non-EU entrepreneurs founding a business in Germany that benefits the regional economy.

$1,500~3 months processing
investorPath to citizenship

Investor / Large-Scale Business Visa (S21(1) AufenthG)

Residence permit for high-net-worth non-EU investors establishing or acquiring a substantial business in Germany.

$5,000~4 months processing
studentPath to citizenship

Student Visa (S16b AufenthG)

Residence permit for non-EU nationals admitted to a full-time degree programme at a German university or Studienkolleg.

$800~2 months processing
retirementPath to citizenship

Retirement / Financially Independent Visa (S7(1) AufenthG)

Residence permit for financially independent non-EU nationals — including retirees — who wish to live in Germany without working.

$600~2 months processing