Opportunity card Germany Would you like to work in Germany but don't have a job offer yet? The opportunity card opens up new prospects for a career in Germany. In this section you can find out everything about the requirements, the application procedure and the prospects after entering Germany with the opportunity card. Job search opportunity card Job seekers from abroad can enter Germany in order to look for a job. In some cases, a visa might be necessary. We will explain how it works. Self-Check: Opportunity card As a recognised skilled worker or via the points system, you can obtain an opportunity card for the purpose of finding a job in Germany. Use the self-check to see whether you are eligible for the opportunity card. Questions and answers regarding the opportunity card Would you like to apply for the opportunity card and don't know where to start? In our FAQ you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions as well as tips to help you assess your chances in a realistic manner.

The path to German citizenship Would you like to be naturalised? Here you will find key information about naturalisation in Germany. Requirements for naturalisation If you were not born a German citizen, you have the right to be naturalised if you meet the following requirements, among others: You have been living in Germany legally for more than five years. You have a permanent right of residence in Germany, e.g. as a Union citizen entitled to freedom of movement or on the basis of a settlement permit or a residence permit that may lead to a permanent right of residence. A residence permit for the purpose of studying, for example, is not sufficient. You can financially support yourself and your dependent family members without receiving benefits under the Second or Twelfth Book of the Social Code [SGB]. You have sufficient knowledge of German: you can prove your oral and written knowledge of German by taking a language test at a minimum level of B1. A German school-leaving certificate, completed vocational education and training in Germany or completed studies in Germany are also generally accepted as proof of your German language skills. You have basic knowledge of the legal and social system and way of life in Germany: you can prove this knowledge by passing the naturalisation test. The “Life in Germany” test is also accepted as proof of such knowledge. If you have a German school-leaving certificate or a degree in law, social sciences, public administration or political

Living permanently in Germany Would you like permanently settle down in Germany? Here you can find all information on the settlement permit, the permanent EU residence permit and naturalisation. Settlement permit Naturalisation

Types of visa Would you like to work, study, complete vocational training or move to Germany with your family? People requiring a visa must hold an entry visa to do so. The type of visa you must apply for depends on the reason for your visit or stay. Get to know everything about the types of visa and which requirements have to be met. EU Blue Card Having numerous advantages, the EU Blue Card is one of the most popular resident titles for highly skilled workers. It is best to verify right away whether you are eligible for an EU Blue Card. Work visa for qualified professionals The work visa for skilled workers provides you with direct access to the German job market. Read more on what requirements you must meet in order to work as a skilled worker in Germany. Visa for professionally experienced workers Third-country nationals with a foreign qualification and extensive professional experience have the opportunity to work in a non-regulated profession in Germany, even if their qualification is not formally recognised. Visa for employment within a recognition partnership Do you want to be able to practise your profession while going through the recognition procedure? A recognition partnership could be an option for you. Find out more about the recognition partnership visa. Visa options for IT professionals In Germany, qualified and experienced skilled workers in IT are in high demand. Coming from abroad, there are a lot of options to receive a work visa – with or without a formal

Visa for research Would you like to join the dynamic world of research in Germany? Then a visa for research is probably exactly what you need. On this page On this page Requirements for the visa for research in Germany Your prospects with the visa for research Mobility arrangements for international researchers Are you looking to work in Germany as a researcher? If so, you will need to apply for a visa for research in accordance with Section 18d of the Residence Act [AufenthG] (External link) . To find out whether you require a visa to enter Germany, please refer to the “ How do I apply for a visa? ” section. Requirements for the visa for research in Germany You have concluded a hosting agreement or a work contract with a research institute in Germany. The research institute commits itself in writing to cover your living and travel costs back to your country of origin, which otherwise have to be covered by public funds. This commitment applies for up to 6 months after the research position has ended. This clause is not applicable if your research position is primarily funded by public funds. Do you meet these requirements? Learn about the procedure for the entry and visa process. Here you find an overview of how to secure your livelihood according to the purpose of stay. Who qualifies as a researcher? You are considered a “researcher” if you have at least a PhD/doctorate or a suitable academic qualification enabling you to access PhD degree programmes ( Article 3 of Directive (EU

Visa for studying With its wide range of study programmes and low tuition fees, Germany attracts many international students every year. Find out how to apply for a student visa here. On this page On this page Requirements for the visa for studying in Germany Your prospects with the visa for studying Successfully graduated - this is how you can stay in Germany Explaining mobility in the EU for students from third countries No place to study yet? Visa for the purpose of seeking a place in higher education Prospects with the visa for seeking a place in higher education Apply for the visa for studying online Are you interested in studying in Germany? A German degree opens many doors. There is a wide range of international study programmes and the fees are low. With this in mind, you can obtain a visa for the purpose of studying in Germany. A residence permit under Section 16b of the Residence Act (AufenthG) (External link) is also valid for preparatory measures prior to enrolment in higher education, such as language courses, preparatory courses for university admission or similar institutions, or doctoral studies at a German university. To find out if you need a visa to enter Germany, please refer to the “ How do I apply for a visa? ” section. Requirements for the visa for studying in Germany You have been admitted to a state-recognised higher education institution in Germany. To find out how to apply for a place on a study programme in Germany, see the “Studies in Germany” section

Special regulations for professional drivers Interested in working as a professional driver in Germany? That is also possible without formal training. Read more about it here. On this page On this page How to become a professional driver in Germany The right residence title for professional drivers How to enter the country for qualification purposes Long-term prospects for professional drivers As a professional driver of heavy goods vehicles (HGV) or buses, you have good chances of finding a suitable job in Germany. You can find out whether you need a visa to enter the country or a residence permit for your stay in Germany in the “ How do I apply for a visa?” section. How to become a professional driver in Germany You must possess the necessary EU or EEA driving licence of class C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E or DE and You must be able to provide evidence of your (accelerated) EU or EEA initial qualification to drive certain vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers. If you possess citizenship of an EU or EFTA member state, you may be employed in the fields of freight or passenger transport. You can look for suitable vacancies in the job listings . The right residence title for professional drivers If you do not have citizenship of an EU or an EFTA member state, but you still meet the conditions mentioned above, you can work as a professional driver if the Federal Employment Agency (BA) has approved the granting of the necessary residence title according to Section 19c (1)

Special regulations for artists Would you like to work as an employed or self-employed artist in Germany? Find out which visa regulations apply to your situation. The German labour market is also open to creative workers from abroad. To find out if you need a visa to enter or a residence permit to stay in Germany, see the “ How do I apply for a visa? ” section. You want to be employed as an artist If you intend to work as an employee in the cultural and entertainment sector for more than 90 days , the procedure is as follows: You apply for a (work) visa at the German mission abroad ; The competent German diplomatic mission will then send a request to the Federal Employment Agency (BA) for approval. If approved by the BA, your visa can be issued. For more information on how to apply for a visa, please contact the German diplomatic mission in your country. Exceptions may apply in the case of temporary employment as an artist. The German diplomatic missions may have sole authority to decide on whether to issue a visa for the following groups of people; the BA does not have to approve the employment in this case: People who, while maintaining their habitual residence abroad, engage in performances of special artistic value, festivals or music and cultural events if the duration of the activity does not exceed 90 days within a period of 12 months; People performing in one-day shows or events for up to 15 days a year. You want to work as a self-employed artist If you are a creative

Special regulations for language teachers Would you like to teach a foreign language in Germany? Find out what visa options are available for this type of employment. If you are a teacher of your native language and come from a foreign country, you may under certain conditions be granted access to the German labour market. You can either be employed by a school or work as a freelancer. To find out if you need a visa to enter or a residence permit to stay in Germany, see the " How do I apply for a visa? " section. Who is considered a language teacher? Language teachers are not only foreign teachers who teach languages, but also teachers who teach other subjects in their mother tongue. You want to teach at a school If you are to be employed to teach your native language in schools, the Federal Employment Agency (BA) must approve the issuance of the visa. Foreign teachers may not be employed under less favourable working conditions than their German counterparts. The local pay conditions for teachers at embassy schools are to be used as a benchmark. You may also need to have your qualification recognised by the education authority in the relevant federal state . For more information, contact the school where you would like to work or the relevant education authority. As an employed language teacher, you can obtain a residence permit for up to five years. Further employment as a language teacher in Germany for the purpose of teaching your native language is only possible after a

Visa for language acquisition Would you like to learn German in Germany? Find out how to get a visa for language acquisition. You can take German language courses not only abroad, but also in Germany. A visa for language acquisition under Section 16f (1) of the Residence Act (AufenthG) (External link) permits entry and residence for this purpose. To find out if you need a visa to enter Germany, please refer to the “ How do I apply for a visa? ” section. What are the requirements for a language course visa? You have been admitted to an intensive German language course. Courses consisting of daily German lessons with a minimum of 18 lessons of instruction per week are generally considered to be intensive language courses. Evening and weekend courses are not sufficient. You are able to cover your living costs for the duration of your stay. Evidence can be provided by means of a blocked bank account or a declaration of commitment . Do you fulfil these requirements? Learn about the procedure for the entry and visa process. The right visa for your German course If you want to take a German course in preparation for studying or training in Germany, it may be the case that you do not need a German language course visa, but a visa to start studying or vocational training, especially if you have already found a vocational training place or course of study. If you do not meet the language requirements for enrolment in higher education and have not yet been accepted to a university, you