Work visa

Person at the Airport and a plane in the background

Would you like to work in Rhineland-Palatinate? Find out which opportunities you have depending on your qualifications and which requirements have to be met in each case. Not sure if you need a visa? Then check the section "Do I need a visa?".

The EU-Blue Card

Have you graduated from a university? With your university diploma you may take up employment in Germany and be eligible to receive the residence permit "EU Blue Card". The EU Blue Card is a residence permit for academic professionals from third countries. To obtain such residence permit, you must meet the following requirements:

You need to prove that you have a university degree. If you have not obtained your diploma from a German university, it is additionally necessary that your degree is recognized in Germany, i.g. that it is comparable to a German university degree.
You either have a concrete job offer or an already signed or existing employment contract with a company based in Germany. Nonetheless, your future employment must correspond with your university degree.
You will earn a certain minimum annual gross salary with your job. For 2021, this must amount to EUR 56,800. For the occupational fields of mathematics, IT, sciences, engineering and human medicine, the minimum annual gross salary must be EUR 44,304 (in 2021).

An EU Blue Card is initially issued for a limited period, at least for the duration of the employment contract plus 3 months. Under certain conditions, the holder of an EU Blue Card may be granted a settlement permit after a period of just 33 months. You can find further information on "Make it in Germany", the German Federal government’s official portal for qualified professionals.

Video: Blue Card EU

Visa for qualified professionals

Are you a qualified electrician, a nursing professional or have learned some other profession in your home country? Or do you hold a university degree but do not meet the above mentioned salary requirements for the EU Blue Card? In such cases, you may apply for a visa or a residence permit for the purpose of taking up employment and work as a skilled professional in Rhineland-Palatinate. To do so, you must meet the following requirements:

You have a qualification which is recognized in Germany and which enables you to practice your profession.
You have a concrete job offer in Germany that corresponds with your professional qualification.
If you are older than 45 years of age, you must provide proof of a gross annual salary of at least EUR 46,860 (in 2021) when you first take up employment in Germany.

The visa or residence permit for the purpose of taking up employment is initially issued for a limited period. Under certain conditions, a settlement permit can be issued after four years. More detailed information is available on the official portal of the Federal Government “Make it in Germany“.

Video: The Skilled Immigration Act in Germany at a glance

Explainer video Make it in Germany — The skilled immigration act in Germany

Other types of visas

Jobseeker

If you have completed a course of study or vocational training, it is possible to enter Germany on a jobseeker’s visa in order to look for suitable employment. On "Make it in Germany", you can find out more about the jobseeker’s visa.

IT specialists

Are you an IT specialist without a formal degree but with sufficient professional experience and would like to work in Rhineland-Palatinate? If so, special regulations apply to you which might enable you to practice your profession in Germany, nonetheless. On "Make it in Germany", you can find out more about work visa for IT specialists.

Professional drivers

Professional drivers of trucks or buses do not need formal training to work in their profession in Germany. It is important to have a driving license and basic qualification for goods and passenger transport in accordance with the applicable EU or EEA standard. Depending on your country of origin, you may also need a visa to be allowed to work in Germany. Find more information about working in Germany as a professional driver on "Make it in Germany".

Completing vocational training

Would you like to complete vocational training in Rhineland-Palatinate? Apply for a visa for this purpose! Learn more about visa for vocational training on " Make it in Germany”.

Studying in Rhineland-Palatinate

Are you interested in studying in Rhineland-Palatinate? If you meet the requirements for studying, you may apply for a study visa. Read more about the visa for studying on the “Make it in Germany“ website.