Germany Immigration services

A Residence Permit for Employment Purposes is for third-country nationals to work and reside in Germany. An expedited procedure is available for approved employers.

Foreign academic, vocational and professional qualifications are normally subject to a verification procedure. Qualifying IT specialists can obtain a residence permit without foreign qualification recognition.

Qualifying companies can access the expedited International Personnel Exchange procedure, with no local labour market test.

Preferred nationals on assignment for up to three years and remaining on home contract and payroll can also obtain a residence permit for employment. At least six months of experience with the sending company is expected.

Employees assigned temporarily to Germany for less than 90 days within a 180-day period, to fit, install, maintain or repair equipment, machines, software, or other technical systems for a client under a service agreement, must submit a labour notification. Assignees must remain on foreign payroll and contract.

The EU Blue Card for highly skilled employees and the EU Intra-Company Transfer Permit are also available.

Preferred nationals can either enter with a D visa obtained at the relevant German consulate (and work immediately on entry) or enter as tourists and apply for a residence permit for employment post arrival.