Germany Job Seekers Visa

Germany is the largest national economy in Europe. There is a high demand for skilled professionals in the automotive industry (worth 436 billion euros in 2019), healthcare industry (372 billion euros in 2019) and the electrical engineering industry sector (191 billion euros in 2019) in Germany. This opens a ton of employment opportunities, and the Germany Job Seeker visa would be your first step towards that goal.

The IT sector and the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors have also shown a spike in job vacancies in Germany over the past few years. Learn all about the requirements for a Germany Job Seeker visa that allows you to look for a job and attend interviews in this read.

What is a Germany Job Seeker Visa?

The German Job Seeker is a long-term residency visa that allows skilled foreign nationals to come to Germany and look for a job.

A Germany Job Seeker Visa is valid for six months.

If you find a job in Germany during the 6 months that you are in the country, you will not be permitted to work. You can either convert it to an employment residence permit or you can apply for a EU Blue Card.

Note: This visa doesn't allow for an extension. If you are unable to find employment in Germany in 6 months, you may have to return to your home country.

Eligibility Requirements for a Germany Job Seeker Visa

The major requirements of a German Job Seeker visa can be categorized into 2 parts:

1. Basic Eligibility Criteria.
To be eligible for this visa as a foreign national, you must fulfill the following criteria:

  • Age: You must be 18 years of age or above.
  • Educational Qualification: You must hold a Bachelor’s/Master’s degree either from a German university or a recognized university from another country.
  • Work Experience: You must have at least 5 years of work experience in a related field of work.
  • Financial Status: You must prove that you have enough funds to cover all the expenses throughout your stay in Germany.

2. Required Documents
You must provide legal documents for all the claims made in your work visa application.

The documents necessary for this visa application are:

  • Valid passport
  • Identity proof
  • Two duly-filled and printed application forms with your signature
  • Visa application fee receipt
  • Three passport-sized photographs
  • CV (Curriculum Vitae)
  • Educational credentials
  • Work experience proof for at least 5 years in the same line of work
  • Purpose of visit letter (mandatory) with reason to choose Germany for a job, stay duration of your stay, your plans to find a Germany job, and alternate plans if you do not find a Germany job
  • Health insurance that is valid throughout your stay in Germany
  • Proof of funds of upto 6 lakh
  • Accommodation proof for your 6 month stay in Germany
  • Proof of personal status (birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate if widowed, etc.)

How to apply for a German Job Seeker Visa?

If you are applying for a German Job Seeker visa then you need to follow this procedure:

  • Check eligibility
  • Keep documents ready
  • Submit your visa application
  • Take visa appointment at a German Embassy
  • Attend an interview at the Embassy
  • Pay visa fee

Permanent Residency with the Job Seeker Visa in Germany

The Germany Job Seeker visa does not directly give you permanent residency.

To be eligible for a permanent residence permit, you must hold a temporary residence permit first. You will receive a Temporary Residence Permit only when you find employment with a Germany visa.

You can apply for a German Permanent Residence Permit after completing 5 years as an employee in Germany.

What are the funds required to live in Germany?

The blocked account must have €853 (approx. INR 75,809) blocked for each month you live in Germany. So, for a 6 months long stay in Germany with this visa, you must have €5118 (approx. INR 454852) blocked before you travel to Germany.

Germany Job Seeker Visa Processing Time

Usually a Germany Job Seeker Visa takes about 4 to 6 weeks.

Important FAQs

Is IELTS required for a German Job Seeker Visa?

No. IELTS is not required for a Germany Job Seeker visa. You might need to be proficient in the German language. But, you don’t need to take a test for that as well.

What are the Requirements for Proof of Funds for a German Job Seeker Visa?

To prove your financial status you can make use of the following:

  • Bank statement
  • This document verifies that you have a sponsor who will cover all your expenses in Germany.
  • Your sponsor must be a legal German resident.
  • This document is valid for 6 months.
  • Blocked bank statement

Do I require a Job Seeker visa if I am applying from the US?

No. You don’t need to apply for a German Job Seeker visa if you are a US citizen. But, you need to apply for a temporary residence permit instead.

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