Work visa Germany
Skilled worker visa (vocational or academic qualification)
Run by German missions abroad (Federal Foreign Office) and the Federal Employment Agency; information from Make it in Germany (Federal Government)
People with vocational training or a degree recognised in Germany who have a job offer for a qualified position.
- Job offer
- Required. A specific job offer for a qualified position. As a rule, the Federal Employment Agency must approve the job.
- Language
- Not stated on the official page
- Education
- A vocational or academic qualification recognised in Germany or comparable to a German qualification. A licence to practise is needed for regulated professions.
- Work experience
- Not stated on the official page. If you are over 45 and working in Germany for the first time, you need a salary of at least EUR 55,770 a year (2026) or adequate pension provision.
- Government fee
- EUR 75 for a national (long stay) visa, EUR 37.50 for minors
- Processing time
- Several months, depending on the purpose of stay (Federal Foreign Office)
- Money you must show
- Not stated on the official page
- When and to whom you pay
- At the German mission when you apply for the visa.
Checked on 18 October 2026. What the page says
Read on make-it-in-germany.com on 2026-10-18: "Your qualification must be recognised in Germany or comparable to a German academic qualification"; "As a rule, the Federal Employment Agency (BA) must first approve your employment"; "at least €55,770 (as of 2026)". Fee read on auswaertiges-amt.de: "für nationale Visa (zum längerfristigen Aufenthalt) 75 Euro". Another official page.