Everything you need to know
about visas

If you wish to enter Rhineland-Palatinate, you’ll need to know and adhere to the applicable visa conditions. Here you can find an overview as well as more detailed information.

Who needs a visa?

The rules for entering and staying in Germany differ according to a person’s country of origin. Whether or not you need a visa as an international skilled worker depends on your nationality. Below, you can click on the category that matches your situation to find out what requirements apply.  

Overview of visa requirements

Are you a citizen of a member state of the European Union or of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland? Then you can enter Germany and work here without a visa and without any restrictions.  

If you are a citizen of a different country, a so-called third country, you’ll need a visa to enter Germany. You can apply for your visa at the competent German diplomatic mission in your country. The visa needs to reflect the actual purpose of your stay in Germany. For example, on a tourist visa, you can’t work or reside in Germany on a long-term basis.  

For nationals of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, and the USA, an exemption applies. If you are a citizen of one of these countries, you can also enter Germany without a visa. However, to work here, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit that allows employment in Germany.  

If you are a citizen of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, or Serbia, the Western Balkans Arrangement gives you the possibility of applying for a visa to work in Germany regardless of your qualifications. You’ll need to have a concrete job offer or job contract from Germany to apply for a visa. In addition, the German Federal Employment Agency will need to approve your employment in Germany beforehand.  

Young woman sitting with a laptop at a wooden table in a modern room.

How do I apply for a visa?

You can apply for your entry visa at the German diplomatic mission in your country of residence. Before you apply for the visa, find out what you need to observe and the documents that you’ll require. You can find this information on the website of the relevant embassy or consulate. On the Make it in Germany portal, you’ll find all contacts around the world, including the one relevant for you.

Finding who to contact

Applying for a residence permit

Once you’ve arrived in Germany, you’ll usually need to apply for a residence permit before your visa expires.  

To do that, you’ll need to contact the immigration authority that’s responsible for you in your town of residence in Rhineland-Palatinate as soon as possible after entering Germany.  
It’s important to know that visas as well as residence permits usually have a time limit on them. To make sure your residence permit isn’t voided, you should make sure to renew it before the expiration date.  
 

Find the immigration authority responsible for you  

Overview of visas for skilled workers

If you want to live and work in Rhineland-Palatinate and need a visa to enter Germany, there are various options for you as a skill worker. Here you’ll find an overview of these.  

The EU Blue Card is a residence permit for skilled workers from third countries who have a university degree or comparable level of qualification. To get an EU Blue Card, you’ll need to meet certain requirements. You can find these requirements on the Make it in Germany portal.    

Did you learn a trade in your home country? Or, do you have a higher education degree but don’t meet the requirements for an EU Blue Card? You can apply for a visa or a residence permit for qualified employment and work as a skilled professional in Rhineland-Palatinate. To do that, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:  

  • You have an academic or vocational qualification that is recognized in Germany or is comparable to a German higher education degree.
  • You have a concrete offer for a job in Germany that requires qualifications. The job doesn’t need to be in the field that your recognized qualification is in.
  • If you want to carry out a regulated profession, for example in healthcare, then you’ll need professional licensure.
  • If you’re older than 45 years of age and it will be your first job in Germany, you’ll need to demonstrate a specific minimum gross annual salary or sufficient retirement savings.

Visas or residence permits for qualified employment are issued for a maximum of three years. The time limit is based on the duration of your job contract plus an additional three months.  

The Opportunity Card offers non-EU citizens a possibility for entering Germany to look for qualified employment here or to start an own business. The Opportunity Card is issued for a maximum of one year at first. There are two ways to meet the requirements for it: 

  • You have a vocational or academic qualification that is recognized in Germany.
  • Your professional experience, language proficiency, age, and other factors give you at least six points in the point system. Points are awarded for criteria such as German and English proficiency, relevant professional experience, age (younger than 40), ties to Germany (e.g., previous stay), and the completion of qualifying training.

To be issued the Opportunity Card, you’ll need to present evidence of training that is recognized in your country of origin as well as German language proficiency, among other things. You’ll also need to be financially secure enough to cover your living costs during your job search in Germany. You’ll be allowed to work side jobs of up to 20 hours per week during your job search. The Opportunity Card can be extended by up to two years if you successfully find a job.  

EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is a residence permit for skilled workers from third countries who have a university degree or comparable level of qualification. To get an EU Blue Card, you’ll need to meet certain requirements. You can find these requirements on the Make it in Germany portal.    

Visas for qualified skilled workers

Did you learn a trade in your home country? Or, do you have a higher education degree but don’t meet the requirements for an EU Blue Card? You can apply for a visa or a residence permit for qualified employment and work as a skilled professional in Rhineland-Palatinate. To do that, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:  

  • You have an academic or vocational qualification that is recognized in Germany or is comparable to a German higher education degree.
  • You have a concrete offer for a job in Germany that requires qualifications. The job doesn’t need to be in the field that your recognized qualification is in.
  • If you want to carry out a regulated profession, for example in healthcare, then you’ll need professional licensure.
  • If you’re older than 45 years of age and it will be your first job in Germany, you’ll need to demonstrate a specific minimum gross annual salary or sufficient retirement savings.

Visas or residence permits for qualified employment are issued for a maximum of three years. The time limit is based on the duration of your job contract plus an additional three months.  

Opportunity Card

The Opportunity Card offers non-EU citizens a possibility for entering Germany to look for qualified employment here or to start an own business. The Opportunity Card is issued for a maximum of one year at first. There are two ways to meet the requirements for it: 

  • You have a vocational or academic qualification that is recognized in Germany.
  • Your professional experience, language proficiency, age, and other factors give you at least six points in the point system. Points are awarded for criteria such as German and English proficiency, relevant professional experience, age (younger than 40), ties to Germany (e.g., previous stay), and the completion of qualifying training.

To be issued the Opportunity Card, you’ll need to present evidence of training that is recognized in your country of origin as well as German language proficiency, among other things. You’ll also need to be financially secure enough to cover your living costs during your job search in Germany. You’ll be allowed to work side jobs of up to 20 hours per week during your job search. The Opportunity Card can be extended by up to two years if you successfully find a job.  

Explanatory video: How do I get the Opportunity Card?

You’re interested in the Opportunity Card? This video shows you how you can apply for this visa as an international skilled worker.

Other visas for international skilled workers

If you’ve already gained experience in a non-regulated profession, you can get a work visa for experienced professionals. For this visa, you don’t need formal recognition of your qualifications in Germany.

A recognition partnership lets you get your professional qualifications recognized when you’ve already entered Germany. Simultaneously you’ll be allowed to work in your profession; however, regulated professions still require professional licensure.

If you’ve trained in nursing care and your qualifications have already been recognized in Germany, you can apply for a residence permit for employment as a nursing assistant. With this residence permit, you can work in nursing-related professions in Germany.

Truck drivers don’t need formal training to carry out their profession in Germany. What is important is having a driver’s license and basic qualification in goods and passenger transport in accordance with applicable EU and EEA standards. If you’re a citizen of a third country, you’ll also need an entry visa and residence permit to work as a professional driver in Germany.

Related information and content 

Overview of the visa process

The Make it in Germany portal offers an overview of how the visa process functions for international skilled workers. 

Recognition of qualifications

If you immigrate from a third country to live and work in Germany, you’ll need to get your qualifications recognized. Here you’ll find everything you need to know.  

Full information on the settlement permit

If you want to stay in Rhineland-Palatinate permanently, you’ll need a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis). Make it in Germany provides more information.  

Visa for a recognition partnership

With a recognition partnership visa, you’ll be able to work in Germany while your recognition procedure is still ongoing. Find out about the conditions for it here.  

Other types of visas

If you want to move to Germany as an international skilled worker, you have multiple options. Make it in Germany tells you more about the various types of visas.  

General information about visa applications

The German Federal Foreign Office provides full information on applying for a visa, from the application procedure to the offices responsible.  

Visa Navigator (GER)

With the Federal Foreign Office’s visa navigator, you can find the visa that is suitable for you and your goals in just a few clicks.

Visas for nursing care workers

If you’ve trained in nursing care and your qualifications have already been recognized in Germany, you can apply for a residence permit for employment as a nursing assistant. With this residence permit, you can work in nursing-related professions in Germany.

Visa for professional drivers

Truck drivers don’t need formal training to carry out their profession in Germany. What is important is having a driver’s license and basic qualification in goods and passenger transport in accordance with applicable EU and EEA standards. If you’re a citizen of a third country, you’ll also need an entry visa and residence permit to work as a professional driver in Germany. 

Visa for an alternance training

If you want to do an alternance training in Rhineland-Palatinate, you also need a visa, with conditions depending on your country of origin. You can find more information here.  

Visas for studying

If you want to study at a university or other institution of higher education in Rhineland-Palatinate, you also need a visa, with conditions depending on your country of origin. You can find more information here.  

EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is a visa for individuals who have a university degree and who wish to take up a job in Germany that requires qualifications. Learn more about the requirements here.