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ICT Card (Intra-Company Transfer)

Quick definition

A residence permit under Section 19 AufenthG that allows companies to transfer managers, specialists, and trainees from a foreign branch to a German branch for up to 3 years.

At a glance

Legal basis

§19 AufenthG (EU ICT Directive)

Max duration

3 years (managers/specialists), 1 year (trainees)

Prior employment

Min. 6 months continuous with same company

Salary

Must match comparable German positions

Family reunification

Yes

Processing time

6-12 weeks

How it works

The ICT Card (Intra-Corporate Transfer Card) is a residence permit based on the EU ICT Directive, implemented in German law under Section 19 AufenthG. It is designed for employees of multinational companies who are being transferred from a non-EU office to a German branch, subsidiary, or affiliated company. Three categories of employees qualify: managers (directing the company or a department), specialists (with essential knowledge of the company's products, services, or processes), and trainees (university graduates undergoing professional development). The employee must have been continuously employed by the company or group for at least 6 months before the transfer. The maximum duration is 3 years for managers and specialists, and 1 year for trainees. The permit is tied to the specific employer and position — changing employers requires a new application. Salary must be comparable to German employees in equivalent positions, and the employment contract must cover the entire transfer period.

Why it matters

For companies expanding to Germany or transferring key personnel between offices, the ICT Card is often the most direct route. Unlike the EU Blue Card, it does not require a German-recognised qualification — what matters is the employee's role within the company and their existing employment relationship. HR teams should plan ahead: the 6-month prior employment requirement is strict and cannot be waived, so factor this into transfer timelines.

Step-by-step process

1

Confirm eligibility

Verify the employee qualifies as manager, specialist, or trainee and has 6+ months continuous employment with the company

2

Prepare transfer agreement

Draft a formal assignment letter specifying the role, duration, salary, and conditions of the transfer

3

Gather documents

Collect from the employee: passport, qualifications. Prepare from HR: employment contract, proof of 6-month employment, assignment letter

4

Apply at German embassy

The employee submits the application via the Consular Services Portal

5

Federal Employment Agency check

The BA verifies salary and working conditions are comparable to German employees (parallel process)

6

Receive ICT Card

The employee enters Germany and begins the assignment

Required documents

Valid passportrequired
Employment contract covering entire transfer periodrequired
Proof of 6+ months continuous employment with the companyrequired
Transfer/assignment letterrequired
Proof of qualifications (for specialist/manager role)required
Health insurancerequired
Biometric photorequired
Proof of comparable salaryrequiredHR must demonstrate the salary matches German employees in equivalent positions

Fees

Visa application€75
ICT Card issuance€100

Legal basis

§19Aufenthaltsgesetz
EU Directive 2014/66/EU (ICT Directive)

Frequently asked questions

Does the transferee need a German-recognised degree?
No. Unlike the EU Blue Card, the ICT Card does not require formal qualification recognition. What matters is the employee's role (manager, specialist, or trainee) and their existing relationship with the company.
Can the transferred employee change to a different employer in Germany?
No. The ICT Card is tied to the specific employer and position. If the employee wants to move to a different company, a completely new application is required — typically for a different permit type like the EU Blue Card.
How does the Ausländerbehörde define 'specialist' for ICT purposes?
A specialist is someone with essential knowledge of the company's products, services, research, techniques, or management. This is broadly interpreted but must be documented by the employer.
Can an ICT Card holder transition to permanent residence?
The ICT Card itself does not lead to permanent residence. Time spent on an ICT Card does not count toward the 5-year requirement for a Niederlassungserlaubnis. If the employee wants to stay long-term, consider switching to an EU Blue Card.

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Volkswagen
Henkel
Marquardt
Flink
KoRo
Netlight
CODE University
Medwing
Feather Insurance
Handtmann
Lano