Apply for a Blue Card for the EU

Prerequisites

• General requirements:
  • You have a job or a concrete job offer that matches your qualifications.
  • You have a valid passport and visa (if required for entry). For passport compliance, a substitute identity document is sufficient.
  • There is no legal interest in your deportation.
• Requirements for qualifications and employment:
  • You have a degree from a German university or a recognized foreign university degree or
  • a foreign university degree that is comparable to a German university degree or
  • They have successfully completed an educational program equivalent to a university degree, comprising a training period of at least three years.
  • If you have completed vocational training or a course of study lasting at least three years that is comparable to a university degree, you can be considered a skilled worker. Your qualification must correspond to at least level 6 of the international or European Qualifications Framework in Germany.
  • You will receive an annual salary of at least EUR 48,300.
  • You only need a minimum salary of €43,759.80 if you completed your training less than three years ago or if your profession is a so-called shortage occupation. Shortage occupations are professions for which there are too few workers in Germany. These include:
    • Natural scientists
    • mathematicians
    • female and male engineers
    • Doctors
    • IT professionals
    • Managers in production, manufacturing, mining, construction, and logistics
    • Managers for the provision of specialized services
    • Managers for the provision of services in the field of information and communication technology
    • Academic and comparable nursing and midwifery professionals
    • Other academic and related health professions
    • teachers
• If you do not yet have a residence permit, the Federal Employment Agency may have to approve the residence permit.

Documents required

• National passport and visa (if required for entry)
• Form "Declaration of Employment Relationship" completed by the employer
• current payslip
• Proof of your qualifications (e.g. university degree)
• Proof of existing health insurance coverage
• Proof of your rent or proof of home ownership
• biometric photo in electronic form (can be taken on site for a fee of 6 euros; alternatively, you can have the photo taken by a photographer who can transmit the photo electronically to the authorities)

Please note

Deadlines

The card is usually issued for up to 4 years.


If the employment contract is for a shorter period, it will be issued for the duration of the contract plus 3 months.

Procedure

• You apply online for a residence permit for employment or for the extension of your EU Blue Card.
• You will receive a personal appointment with the responsible authority to submit your application.
• Please bring all necessary documents with you to your appointment.
• The relevant authority will check your documents and take your fingerprints.
• The immigration office obtains the approval of the Federal Employment Agency if necessary.
• You will receive your EU Blue Card in the form of a credit card.

Processing time

The processing may take several weeks.

Fees

• Initial issuance fee: EUR 100.00


• Extension for up to three months: EUR 96.00


• Extension of more than three months: EUR 93.00


• biometric photo: EUR 6.00

Legal remedies

• Contradiction


• Action before the administrative court

Legal basis

§ 18g Residence Act (AufenthG)