💡- To learn more about the differences between the Job Seeker Visa and the Opportunity Card, check out our detailed comparison guide here: Germany Job Seeker Visa vs. Opportunity Card. It covers everything you need to know to choose the best pathway for your situation.
German Job Seeker Visa
Expatrio
2025-04-02
Contents
Germany has a strong economy and a buoyant employment market. As a result, it welcomes qualified workers to join the workforce. Those looking for work can move to Germany with a Job Seeker Visa, which gives them up to six months to search for relevant employment. Those from the EU and 12 other countries do not need to apply for this visa or any special residence permit in order to come to Germany.
Those who do need to apply for the visa can find here the eligibility criteria, a checklist with the documents required for application and the description of the process itself.
What is a Job seeker visa?
Those from the EU, EEA and Switzerland can enter Germany without any visa, but they do need to register with the local authority. Those from Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Canada, or the USA can also enter Germany without a Job Seeker Visa but need to register for a residency permit as soon as they arrive.
Citizens from all other countries hoping to find work in Germany will need to apply for, and be issued with, a Job Seeker Visa before they arrive. This allows individuals up to six months to find work in Germany. There are strict requirements for this visa, and applicants are expected to be skilled, experienced, and educated.
Once employment has been found, it’s necessary to apply for a working permit or visa before the employment begins. If relevant employment hasn’t been found after six months, the individual will have to return to their home country.
Is it easy to get a work visa in Germany?
If you have a job offer from a German company, then you can apply for a working visa or residency permit. Those who have found employment during the course of their job seekers visa can apply for this in Germany and do not need to return home.
How much is a Job Seeker Visa for Germany?
As a form of long-term residency visa, the Job Seeker Visa has a fee of €75.
Eligibility of Applicants
This type of visa has certain eligibility criteria as follows:
Applicants need to hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree, ideally from a German university, but an equivalent foreign degree may be accepted. A minimum of five years’ work experience in a related field.
Enough funds that will cover living costs for the duration of stay in Germany (six months). Valid travel or health insurance to cover the entire period. Somewhere to live in Germany.
Required Documents
Applicants will need to provide many documents
This includes some that are proof of the above eligibility criteria. You will need the following:
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Completed Visa Application Form
You can fill this out online via the Consular Services Portal, or download the application form (VIDEX) to complete and bring to your appointment. -
Valid Passport
Your passport must be:-
Issued within the last 10 years
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Valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay
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Contain at least 2 blank pages
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Copy of Your Passport’s Biometric Page
This page contains your photo and personal information. -
Biometric Passport Photos
Two recent photos that meet biometric standards (neutral expression, light background, correct dimensions). -
Cover Letter / Motivation Letter
Explain why you want to look for a job in Germany, your plans for job hunting, and your backup plans if you don’t find employment. -
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
A detailed and up-to-date CV including your academic background, work experience, and any skills relevant to your profession. -
Proof of Academic Qualification
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Degree certificate(s)
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Academic transcripts
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Proof of Financial Means
You must show you can support yourself during your job search (currently €1,091 per month or €6,546 for 6 months):-
Blocked Account
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Or a formal sponsorship/Verpflichtungserklärung from someone in Germany
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Proof of Accommodation
A rental contract, hotel booking, or invitation letter confirming where you'll stay during your time in Germany. -
Travel Health Insurance
Coverage for your entire stay in Germany (at least 6 months), valid in the Schengen area. -
Proof of Language Proficiency (if available or required)
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German language certificate (e.g., Goethe-Zertifikat)
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English language certificate (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL) depending on your field
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Visa Fee Payment
A fee of around €75 (in your local currency) is payable at the time of your appointment. -
Copies of All Documents
Bring both originals and photocopies of all documents listed above.
At Expatrio, we can help set up a blocked account for visa applicants which can be used to deposit funds. See our Blocked Account service page to get the process of opening an account started today.
Applying for a German Job Seeker Visa: New Process (2025)
The German government has introduced a streamlined visa application process through the Consular Services Portal as of January 2025. Here’s how to navigate the new process:
Step 1: Check Your Application Method
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First, verify whether the Consular Services Portal is available in your country. If it is, you can complete the entire application online, including uploading documents and scheduling your interview. You can find out the type of visa you need to apply for through the Visa Navigator Tool.
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If the portal is not available in your country yet, you will need to download the necessary visa form from the German consulate website and make an appointment at your nearest embassy or consulate.
Complete Your Visa Application Online - Learn About the New 2025 Process!
Step 2: Book Your Visa Appointment
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Appointments for the Job Seeker Visa should be booked up to three months in advance, as slots fill up quickly.
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Even if you are applying through the Consular Services Portal, you may still need to attend an in-person interview at the embassy or consulate.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
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Use the time before your appointment to gather all required documents listed in the required documents list above.
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If applying online, upload scanned copies of these documents to the portal.
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Regardless of the online submission, bring the original documents and copies to your appointment.
Step 4: Attend Your Visa Interview
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On the day of your appointment, bring all required paperwork, even if you have already uploaded it online.
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The interview usually lasts around 10 minutes and may include questions about your motivation for moving to Germany or requests to clarify specific details of your application.
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Answer confidently and clearly to ensure a positive impression.
How long does it take to get a German Job Seeker Visa?
If your visa is approved, it will take around 4–6 weeks to be processed. You should allow up to 4–5 months for the entire process, however.
Opportunity Card Pathway: An Alternative to the Job Seeker Visa
In addition to the Job Seeker Visa, Germany has introduced a new immigration pathway called the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte). This pathway aims to attract skilled workers to Germany by offering a more flexible way to live and work there.
What is the Opportunity Card?
The Opportunity Card is part of Germany’s new immigration reform and is designed for skilled workers who want to explore job opportunities in the country. Unlike the Job Seeker Visa, which is specifically for finding employment, the Opportunity Card provides broader flexibility and is based on a points-based system that takes into account factors like:
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Qualifications and work experience
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Language skills
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Age
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Connection to Germany (e.g., previous stays or family ties)
Free Webinar
Opportunity Card
Everything You Need to Know
May 30th, 2025
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Step-by-step tutorial to verify your degree for your application
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Live Q&A session to ask all your questions
Why Consider the Opportunity Card?
The Opportunity Card is an excellent alternative if you:
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Want more flexibility in your job search.
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Have qualifications and skills that are in demand.
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Prefer a pathway that offers more freedom to explore different employment opportunities.
While the Job Seeker Visa is ideal for those with clear job prospects, the Opportunity Card offers a more holistic approach to finding work in Germany. To find out more about the opportunity card, click here.
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