§19 AufenthG

Unternehmensinterner Transfer (ICT-Karte)

Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT Card)

Das Wichtigste für Arbeitgeber

Die ICT-Karte (§19 AufenthG) ermöglicht multinationalen Unternehmen, Führungskräfte, Spezialisten oder Trainees vorübergehend von einer Niederlassung außerhalb der EU an eine deutsche Niederlassung zu entsenden. Dies gilt ausschließlich für unternehmensinterne Mobilität.

Übliche Dauer: 6-12 weeks for the visa process

Das Gesetz, vereinfacht

§19 AufenthG setzt die EU-ICT-Richtlinie (2014/66/EU) in deutsches Recht um. Multinationale Unternehmen können Mitarbeiter von Niederlassungen außerhalb der EU für bis zu 3 Jahre (Führungskräfte und Spezialisten) oder 1 Jahr (Trainees) an ihre deutsche Niederlassung entsenden.

Ihre Pflichten als Arbeitgeber

1The sending entity and German entity must belong to the same company group (parent, subsidiary, or branch)
2Provide a transfer agreement or continued employment contract with the sending entity
3Pay a salary comparable to local German employees in equivalent positions
4The employee must have worked for the company for at least 6 months (3 months for trainees) before transfer
5Provide proof of the company group structure

Prozessschritte — wer macht was

Company group verification

Arbeitgeber

Document the corporate relationship between the sending entity and the German entity (parent-subsidiary, branch, etc.).

Transfer agreement

Arbeitgeber

Draft the transfer/assignment agreement specifying role, duration, salary, and the continued employment relationship with the sending entity.

ICT Card application

Kandidat

Apply at the German embassy or, if the candidate is already in Germany on another permit, at the Ausländerbehörde. The Bundesagentur checks salary equivalence.

Entry and registration

relokate

Enter Germany, register address, receive the ICT Card from the Ausländerbehörde.

ArbeitgeberKandidatBehörderelokate

Häufige Fehler

Not a permanent pathway: The ICT Card is strictly temporary (max 3 years) and does not lead to permanent residence. After expiry, the employee must leave Germany for at least 6 months before re-applying

Local hire disguised as transfer: Authorities scrutinise whether the transfer is genuine — newly hired employees transferred immediately raise red flags

Salary comparison: The salary must be comparable to what a German employee in the same role would earn — significant underpayment will result in rejection

Group structure proof: Loose commercial relationships (franchises, joint ventures) may not qualify — the entities must be in the same corporate group

Häufig gestellte Fragen

How long is an ICT Card valid?

The ICT Card is valid for up to 3 years for managers and specialists, and up to 1 year for trainees. It cannot be extended beyond these limits. After the maximum period, the employee must leave Germany for at least 6 months before a new ICT Card can be issued.

Can an ICT Card holder switch to a Blue Card?

Not directly. An ICT Card holder would need to return to their home country and apply for a Blue Card through the regular process (new employment contract with the German entity, embassy visa application). However, if the candidate is from a visa-free country, they may be able to apply for the Blue Card from within Germany.