German Visas
This page provides an overview of the most popular visas for Germany. Whether you are an employee, job seeker, student, working holidaymaker or freelancer, use this page to navigate between our different guides and find out exactly how, where and when to apply for your German visa.
Where can I apply for a German Visa?
Before we take a closer look at the different visas for Germany, it is important to understand exactly where you are permitted to apply for a German visa (as this varies based on your nationality).
Citizens from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom, or the United States have 2 options:
You can enter Germany without a visa for 90 days. During this 90-day period, you can apply for a German visa at your local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) in Germany. The one exception to this is the German Working Holiday Visa for South Korean Citizens, which must be applied for in South Korea.
OR
You can apply for a visa at a German embassy or consulate before arriving in Germany.
Citizens from all other countries must apply for a visa at a German embassy or consulate before arriving in Germany.
Whether you will be applying for your German visa at an immigration office in Germany or at an embassy or consulate outside of Germany, we have provided step-by-step application instructions for each visa type below.
German Work Visa
Who is eligible?
Citizens from all countries and all age groups.
Visa duration?
The German Work Visa is issued for the duration of your employment contract. If you have a permanent contract, the visa will be issued for 3 – 4 years.
Can the visa be renewed?
Yes. The German Work Visa can be renewed for as long as you are working and living in Germany.
Key application requirements?
✅ A job offer from an employer based in Germany.
✅ A German employment contract.
✅ German health insurance.
✅ A university-level degree that is recognised in Germany.
Our visa guides
For step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a German Work Visa, see our guides:
EU Blue Card
Who is eligible?
Citizens from all countries and all age groups.
Visa duration?
The EU Blue Card is issued for the duration of your employment contract. If you have a permanent contract, the visa will be issued for 4 years.
Can the visa be renewed?
Yes. The EU Blue Card can be renewed for as long as you are working and living in Germany.
Key application requirements?
✅ A job offer from an employer based in Germany. The job offer must meet some specific criteria:
The gross annual salary must be at least €45,300
or
The gross annual salary must be at least €41,041.80 if you have completed your university degree in the last 3 years or work in a shortage occupation.
The shortage occupations include, among others: Architects, Designers, Engineers, Scientists (working in natural sciences), Mathematicians, Interior, urban and traffic planners, Physicians, Veterinarians, Dentists, Teachers, IT specialists. For a full overview of current shortage occupations in Germany, see here.
✅ A German employment contract.
✅ German health insurance.
✅ A university-level degree that is recognised in Germany. Note: if you are an IT specialist and do not have a university degree, you can still apply for an EU Blue Card if you can prove that you have at least 3 years of comparable professional experience in the past 7 years.
Our visa guides
For step-by-step instructions on how to apply for an EU Blue Card, see our guides:
German Job Seekers Visa
Who is eligible?
Citizens from all countries and all age groups.
Visa duration?
The German Job Seekers Visa is issued for a maximum of 6 months.
Can the visa be renewed?
No. The German Job Seekers Visa is only issued once. It permits you to live and work in Germany for up to 6 months to search for employment.
Key application requirements?
✅ Suitable health insurance.
✅ A university-level degree that is recognised in Germany.
✅ Proof of funds to show that you can sustain yourself for 6 months in Germany.
Our visa guides
For step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a German Job Seekers Visa, see our guides:
How to apply for a German Job Seekers Visa at an immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) in Germany
How to apply for a Germany Job Seekers Visa at a German consulate or embassy overseas
Frequently asked questions about the German Job Seekers Visa
Best health insurance for your German Job Seekers Visa application
German Student Visa
Who is eligible?
Citizens from all countries and all age groups.
Visa duration?
The German Student Visa is issued for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 2 years. If your study programme is longer than 2 years, then your visa can be extended.
Can the visa be renewed?
Yes. The German Student Visa can be renewed for as long as you are studying in Germany.
Key application requirements?
✅ Proof of enrollment at a German university.
✅ German health insurance.
✅ Proof of funds to show that you can sustain yourself while studying in Germany.
Our visa guides
For step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a German Student Visa, see our guides:
German Language Course Visa
Who is eligible?
Citizens from all countries and all age groups.
Visa duration?
The German Language Course Visa is issued for a maximum of 1 year. The length of the visa is dependent on the duration of the German language course you have signed up for.
Can the visa be renewed?
No. The German Language Course Visa can only be issued once for a maximum of 1 year.
Key application requirements?
✅ Proof of enrollment at a German language school
✅ Suitable health insurance.
✅ Proof of funds to show that you can sustain yourself while studying in Germany.
Our visa guides
For step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a German Language Course Visa, see our guides:
German Working Holiday Visa
Who is eligible?
Only citizens from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan and Uruguay can apply for the German Working Holiday Visa.
To apply, you must be 18–30 years old (you can apply until your 31st birthday). The only exception to this is Canadians, who can be 18–35 years old (you can apply until your 36th birthday).
Visa duration?
The German Working Holiday Visa is issued for 1 year. It allows you to move to Germany to live, work and travel for the duration of the visa.
Can the visa be renewed?
No, although Canadian passport holders can apply for the German Working Holiday Visa twice.
Key application requirements?
✅ Suitable health insurance.
✅ A minimum savings amount.
Our visa guides
For step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a German Working Holiday Visa, see our guides:
German Freelance Visa
Who is eligible?
Citizens from all countries and all age groups.
Visa duration?
The German Freelance Visa is issued for up to 3 years.
Can the visa be renewed?
Yes. The German Freelance Visa can be renewed for as long as you are freelancing in Germany.
Key application requirements?
✅ German health insurance.
✅ Freelance contracts or letters of intent to hire from at least 2–3 clients based in Germany.
✅ A credible financing plan demonstrating that you are financially self-sufficient and can support yourself while getting established in Germany.
Our visa guides
For step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a German Work Visa, see our guides: