Residence card for highly qualified people
Issuance of an EU Blue Card for highly qualified foreigners to take up employment that is appropriate to their qualifications. The EU Blue Card is issued for four years if the employment contract is open-ended or has been concluded for...
Issuance of an EU Blue Card for highly qualified foreigners to take up employment that is appropriate to their qualifications.
The EU Blue Card is issued for four years if the employment contract is open-ended or has been concluded for a period of at least four years. For shorter employment contracts, the EU Blue Card is issued for the duration of the employment relationship plus three months.
In the first two years of employment, the permission of the Aliens Department must be obtained before changing jobs.
Citizens of a non-EU country can apply for the EU Blue Card (residence permit for highly qualified employment) in order to pursue highly qualified employment in Germany.
Important notes
Prerequisites
- has a German, a recognized foreign or a foreign university degree comparable to a German university degree and
- can show an employment contract with a gross annual salary of at least EUR 56,400 (EUR 4,700 per month), in so-called shortage occupations (scientists, mathematicians, engineers, doctors and IT specialists) of EUR 43,992 (EUR 3,666 per month).
If the minimum annual income of currently EUR 56,400 is exceeded, there is neither a priority check (check whether German or foreign workers with priority are available for this job) nor a comparability check of the working conditions.
If only the lower minimum income limit of currently EUR 43,992/year is reached in the shortage occupations, (only) a comparability test of the working conditions is required.
In the online database of the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB), a query can be made as to whether the foreign university degree is recognized in Germany, see www.anabin.kmk.org .
If the database does not contain any meaningful information, applicants are obliged to apply to the ZAB (Central Office for Foreign Education) for an individual assessment of their qualifications, which is subject to a fee, and to submit this.
Documents required
- Valid passport
- 1 current biometric passport photo 35mm x 45mm, light background
- University certificate - possibly together with an assessment of the ZAB
- Employment contract or specific job offer
- Health insurance
- Job description form - Only if approval from the Federal Employment Agency is required
- Professional license - only if required
Please note
Procedure & Fees
Fees
Depending on the period of validity. Up to one year 100 EUR, over one year 110 EUR. Extension up to 3 months 96 EUR. Extension of more than 3 months EUR 93.
Legal notes
Legal basis
Downloads & Links
Related services
Links on hamburg.de
Links on the Internet
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Keywords: Blue card Residence card for highly qualified people, EU Blue Card Residence card for highly qualified people, Blue Card
Last updated: 28.03.2023