§19 AufenthG

Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT Card)

Unternehmensinterner Transfer (ICT-Karte)

What employers need to know

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.

Typical timeline: 6-12 weeks for the visa process

The law, simplified

Section 19 AufenthG implements the EU ICT Directive (2014/66/EU) in German law. It allows multinational companies to transfer employees from their non-EU offices to their German branch for up to 3 years (managers and specialists) or 1 year (trainees). The employee must have worked for the company for at least 6 months (3 months for trainees) before the transfer. The employee remains employed by the sending entity — this is not a local hire. The ICT Card is also valid for short-term assignments in other EU countries (up to 90 days in any 180-day period). The salary must be comparable to local German employees in similar positions.

Your obligations as employer

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

Candidate requirements

✓Current employment with the sending entity for at least 6 months (3 months for trainees)
✓Role as manager, specialist, or trainee within the company
✓Relevant professional qualifications for the position
✓Valid passport and health insurance covering Germany

Required documents

From the employer

■Proof of company group structure (Konzernnachweis)
■Transfer agreement or assignment letter
■Job description for the German role
■Proof of comparable salary to local employees
■Employer declaration

From the candidate

■Valid passport
■Biometric photos
■Current employment contract with sending entity
■Proof of 6+ months employment with the company (3 months for trainees)
■Professional qualification documents
■Transfer agreement
■Health insurance valid in Germany
■Proof of accommodation

Process steps — who does what

Company group verification

Employer

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

Transfer agreement

Employer

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

ICT Card application

Candidate

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.

EmployerCandidateAuthorityrelokate

Common pitfalls

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

Frequently asked questions

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.