Job Seeker Visa in Germany for Indians
I sincerely aim to provide complete information about the job seeker’s visa in Germany!
Excellent job opportunities in Germany are a common subject for those qualified with a diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and PhD holders worldwide.
At the same time, everyone wonders how to apply for a job, whether while in their home country or Germany.
Migrate to Germany on a job seeker visa
The most accessible and direct pathway is applying for a job seeker visa in Germany. This visa allows a non-EU citizen to enter, stay, and seek employment in Germany. Find a registered German employer, apply for a job, receive a job offer and contract, and obtain a work permit.
Suppose that is what you are planning to follow. In that case, you’ll need to understand the qualifications required to apply for a visa. Review your documents and get them in order before proceeding with the application.
The German Job-Seeking Visa
As the name suggests, the job seeker visa in Germany allows individuals to search for employment while residing in Germany for six months.
According to the Skilled Immigration Act 2020, visa holders can work 10 hours per week on a trial basis and may qualify for a full-time, relevant job later.
On receiving a job offer and contract, you can apply for a long-term resident visa and work permit.
Requirements for a visa
To be eligible for a German job seeker’s visa, one must hold at least a national diploma or an undergraduate degree.
These qualifications should be recognised as equivalent to a diploma or degree in Germany.
German language level up to B1 is mandatory for those who have completed vocational training.
The applicants must have sufficient funds to cover the cost of living in Germany for at least six months, preferably in a blocked account, for a job seeker visa.
Applying for a job seeker’s visa
Once the required documents are available, you may complete an application and book an appointment to apply for a job seeker’s visa in Germany.
The crucial documents are;
- your passport, a completed visa application form,
- a Biometric photograph,
- all recognised academic or vocational qualifications,
- a blocked account, and
- Pass certificates of a German language test
Applying at the nearest German VFS office or Consulate
Before applying for a visa, you should visit the German visa portal and book an appointment.
Subsequently, please visit the visa application centre or the Consulate as per your appointment.
The visa office might ask questions while applying at the Consulate in person or on the phone after lodging your application.
It costs 75.EUR, and could be paid in local currency if applying at the VFS office or a bank draft if applying at the nearest German Consulate.
Applying for a work permit or blue card in Germany
Since you are on a job seeker’s visa in Germany, your main aim should be looking for a job relevant to your current and previous qualifications.
And once a job offer and contract are received, you should make an appointment with the foreigners’ office to apply for a residence permit. This could be for a work permit or a Blue Card, whichever is applicable.
The application fee is approximately $ 100.EUR.
Make sure that you are lodging your application before the existing job seeker’s visa expires!
Who can apply for a Job Seeker’s Visa in Germany?
European Union citizens and those from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland can move to Germany freely, reside, and take up any job without further permission.
Citizens from the following countries, with which Germany has an international agreement on visa matters, can enter Germany without a visa. The United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Israel, the Republic of Korea, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia.
The citizens of all other countries with which Germany does not have an agreement must apply for a job seeker’s visa to enter Germany, stay, and look for employment.
Other relevant articles: Jobs in Germany for Indians
