💡- 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
2025-03-25
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:
- A valid passport with at least 18 months until the expiry date.
- A photocopy of your passport
- Three biometric passport photos
- A cover/motivation letter (in German) outlining your intentions for employment and reasons for them. It should also outline your plan should you fail to find relevant employment.
- Degree certificate Certificates for other relevant professional qualifications.
- A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) in the German language and German format.
- Proof that you have secured accommodation in Germany for the period of job seeking.
- Proof that you have the necessary funds to cover six months’ living costs. Note that this will need to be a higher amount if you are moving to one of the more expensive cities such as Munich. You can prove this in a number of ways; a letter of obligation or Verpflichtungserklärungfrom a sponsor resident in Germany, a bank account statement, or a blocked bank account.
- Evidence of your personal status in your home country, e.g. birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.
- Proof of health insurance cover
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.
Is IELTS required for a German Job Seeker Visa?
It is not necessary to hold an IELTS certificate (proof of English language skills). You will need to be proficient in German, however, although proof of this is not required for the Job Seeker Visa application.
3 Steps to your visa
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Health Insurance
Everyone who comes to Germany for work or studies needs to register for health insurance.
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Funds
You’ll need to prove you have the funds to cover living costs for one year or the duration of your stay.
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Visa paperwork
You'll need: passport, biometric photo, certificate of enrollment, proof of: finances, health insurance, and residence; plus the visa application filled out.
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)
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.
Free Webinar
Opportunity Card
Everything You Need to Know
April 11th, 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
Relocation made easy with our Value Package
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Fast
Everyone who comes to Germany for work or studies needs to register for health insurance.
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Low fees
You’ll need to prove you have the funds to cover living costs for one year or the duration of your stay.
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Secure
You'll need: passport, biometric photo, certificate of enrollment, proof of: finances, health insurance, and residence; plus the visa application filled out.
