Immigration Law Reference

German immigration law,
explained for employers

Every work visa and residence permit type — simplified from the actual legal text, with employer obligations, required documents, process steps, and timelines. Built for HR teams, not lawyers.

Visa types covered

2026

Thresholds updated

B2B

Employer-focused

DE + EN

Bilingual content

EU Blue Card

§18g AufenthG6-12 weeks from application to work start

EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is Germany's primary residence permit for highly qualified non-EU professionals. It offers the fastest path to permanent residence and is the most employer-friendly visa category.

Salary threshold: €50,700 general / €45,934 shortage occupations (2026)

Skilled Workers

§18b AufenthG8-16 weeks from application to work start

Skilled Worker Visa (Academic Qualification)

The §18b residence permit is for qualified professionals with a recognised university degree who have a concrete job offer in Germany. Unlike the Blue Card, there is no minimum salary requirement — making it ideal for roles below the Blue Card threshold.

§18a AufenthG4-7 months (recognition process is the bottleneck)

Skilled Worker Visa (Vocational Qualification)

The §18a residence permit is for non-EU professionals with a recognised vocational qualification (Berufsausbildung) — such as nurses, electricians, mechanics, or technicians. The qualification must be formally recognised as equivalent to a German vocational degree.

Vocational Training

§16a AufenthG3-6 months preparation + 2-3.5 years training

Residence Permit for Vocational Training

The §16a permit allows non-EU nationals to come to Germany for a vocational training programme (Berufsausbildung). This is particularly relevant for IHK-regulated trades and commercial professions where German companies face severe skills shortages.

Study & Transition

§16b AufenthG2-5 years (study) + up to 18 months (job seeking)

Residence Permit for Study and Transition to Work

The §16b permit covers university study in Germany and the transition from student to employee. It is a major pipeline for skilled workers — graduates can stay 18 months after completing their degree to find qualified employment.

Recognition Partnership

§16d AufenthG2-4 months to entry, then 6-18 months for recognition completion

Recognition Partnership (Anerkennungspartnerschaft)

The recognition partnership (§16d) is a new pathway introduced in 2024 that allows skilled workers to come to Germany and work while their professional qualification is being recognised. This removes the biggest bottleneck in skilled worker immigration — the months-long recognition process.

Experience-Based

§19c Abs. 2 AufenthG i.V.m. §6 BeschV8-14 weeks from application to work start

Experience-Based Work Permit (Berufserfahrung)

The §19c/§6 BeschV pathway allows non-EU professionals with at least 2 years of relevant experience and a state-recognised qualification from their home country to work in Germany — even without formal German recognition of their degree. This is one of the most flexible pathways introduced by the 2024 reform.

Salary threshold: €41,040 gross/year (2026)

Intra-Corporate Transfer

§19 AufenthG6-12 weeks for the visa process

Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT Card)

The ICT Card (§19 AufenthG) allows multinational companies to temporarily transfer managers, specialists, or trainees from a non-EU branch to a German branch. No local hiring — this is strictly for intra-corporate mobility within the same company group.

Free interactive checklist

Free Immigration Checklist for Employers

The complete document checklist for every German visa type — employer documents, candidate documents, and process steps in one printable guide. Used by 200+ HR teams.

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