Visa & Work Permits
Every route to Germany,
handled.
EU Blue Card, Skilled Worker Visa (§18a/§18b), ICT Card, Ausbildung and internship visas (§16a/§16e), the Western Balkans Regulation, and business trip visas — Germany has over a dozen visa routes for skilled workers. relokate identifies the fastest path for each hire and manages the entire application from document preparation to work permit issuance.
Visa types we handle
EU Blue Card (§18g)
Germany's premium work permit for highly qualified professionals. Requires a recognised degree and a salary above the threshold. Fastest path to permanent residence (21 months with B1 German).
Skilled Worker Visa — Degree (§18b)
For employees with a recognised university degree whose role matches their qualification. No minimum salary requirement beyond standard employment terms.
Skilled Worker Visa — Vocational (§18a)
For employees with recognised vocational training (Ausbildung). The qualification must be formally recognised in Germany — we coordinate the recognition process.
ICT Card (§19)
Intra-company transfer card for managers, specialists, or trainees being transferred from a non-EU office to a German branch. Valid up to 3 years.
Ausbildung / Vocational Training Visa (§16a)
For candidates coming to Germany to complete a dual vocational training from scratch. Built on a signed Ausbildungsvertrag registered with the IHK or HWK, plus German at B1. Where a foreign qualification is only partly recognised, §16d covers the top-up training instead.
Internship Visa (§16a / §16e)
For non-EU interns joining a German company. §16a is the broader route and covers recent graduates; §16e applies to study-related placements for currently enrolled students. Federal Employment Agency approval is required in most cases — plan 6–8 weeks minimum.
Western Balkans Regulation (§26 Abs. 2 BeschV)
For nationals of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia — any job, no formal qualification required. Capped at 50,000 approvals per year, with embassy waiting times that differ sharply by country.
Business trip visa (Schengen Type C)
Short-stay visa for meetings, negotiations, trade fairs, internal training and site visits — up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Business travel is not treated as employment, so no work permit is required, but productive work for the German entity is. Nationals of visa-exempt countries travel without a visa; the 90/180 clock still runs.
Visa comparison at a glance
| Visa type | Salary threshold (2026) | Degree required | Processing time | Path to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU Blue Card (§18g) | EUR 50,700 / 45,934* | Yes — recognised | 4-12 weeks | 21 months (B1) / 27 months |
| Skilled Worker — Degree (§18b) | No minimum | Yes — recognised | 4-12 weeks | 4 years |
| Skilled Worker — Vocational (§18a) | No minimum | Vocational (recognised) | 6-16 weeks | 4 years |
| ICT Card (§19) | No minimum | Varies | 4-12 weeks | Not applicable |
| Ausbildung visa (§16a) | Allowance ≈ EUR 939/month† | No — training contract | 8-16 weeks | Via §18a after completion |
| Internship visa (§16a/§16e) | Minimum wage unless exempt | No — programme-linked | 6-8 weeks minimum | Not applicable |
| Western Balkans (§26 Abs. 2 BeschV) | Local market rate | No | 4-10 weeks + embassy queue‡ | 5 years |
| Business trip visa (Schengen C) | Not applicable | No | 2-6 weeks | Not applicable |
* Lower threshold applies to shortage occupations (MINT, medicine, IT) and to recent graduates within three years of their degree. 2026 figures — thresholds are updated annually.
† The training allowance has to clear the required monthly minimum (around EUR 939 in 2026); where it falls short, a blocked account (Sperrkonto) covers the difference.
‡ The Western Balkans route is capped at 50,000 approvals per year and embassy waiting times vary sharply by country — from weeks in Bosnia and Montenegro to around 11 months for Kosovo. Check quota availability before you extend an offer.
How we handle your visa case
relokate manages the full process. Your HR team stays informed via the dashboard.
Visa route assessment
Day 1We evaluate your hire's profile — nationality, qualifications, salary, role — and identify the optimal visa route. If multiple options exist, we recommend the one with the shortest processing time and best long-term outcome.
Document preparation
Week 1-2We collect, review, and prepare the complete application package: employment contract, qualification documents, proof of salary, health insurance, passport copies, and all authority-specific forms. We flag issues before they cause delays.
Embassy coordination
Week 2-4We coordinate the embassy appointment in the employee's home country, prepare them for the interview, and ensure all documents match embassy requirements. For fast-track eligible cases, we handle the pre-approval process.
Authority liaison
Week 4-8relokate communicates directly with the German immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde) and Federal Employment Agency (BA) on behalf of the employer. We track the case, respond to requests, and escalate if processing stalls.
Visa issuance & entry
Week 6-12Once approved, the employee receives their visa and enters Germany. relokate manages the transition — Anmeldung, health insurance activation, bank account, and residence permit application.
Which visa fits your hire?
Use this quick decision guide — or let relokate assess it for you with a free visa pre-check.
University degree + salary above EUR 50,700
Best option — fastest path to permanent residence and family benefits.
University degree + salary below Blue Card threshold
No salary minimum. Role must match the degree field.
Vocational training (Ausbildung), recognised in Germany
Requires formal recognition. relokate coordinates the recognition process.
3+ years IT/tech experience, no degree
Minimum salary EUR 41,040. No degree recognition needed.
Internal transfer from non-EU office
For managers, specialists, or trainees. Max 3 years.
Already in Germany on Chancenkarte
Convert to a full work permit once employment is secured.
Frequently asked questions
Which visa type is fastest to process?
The EU Blue Card and Skilled Worker Visa (§18b) typically have the shortest processing times — 4-12 weeks from application to visa issuance. Using Germany's fast-track procedure (§81a) can reduce this further to 4-8 weeks for eligible cases.
Does relokate handle qualification recognition?
Yes. For visa types that require formal recognition of degrees or vocational training (§18a, §18b), relokate coordinates the entire recognition process with anabin, KMK, or the relevant chamber. We can also initiate recognition in parallel with the visa application when using the fast-track procedure.
Can my hire start working before the residence permit is issued?
Yes — once your employee enters Germany on a work visa, they can start working immediately. The visa itself contains the work authorisation. The residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) replaces the visa after entry and is applied for at the local Ausländerbehörde.
What if the salary is below the Blue Card threshold?
If the salary is below the EU Blue Card threshold but the employee has a recognised degree, the Skilled Worker Visa (§18b) is usually the best alternative. There is no minimum salary requirement — the role just needs to match the qualification field.
How does relokate charge for visa services?
relokate charges per case with transparent pricing. The visa service is included in the standard relocation package — there is no separate fee for choosing a specific visa type. Government fees (e.g., EUR 75 for a standard visa, EUR 411 for fast-track) are paid directly by the employer or employee.
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Deep dive: visa types explained
Comprehensive guides to every visa pathway — requirements, documents, timelines, and FAQ.
EU Blue Card
Requirements, salary thresholds, process & timeline for 2026
Ausbildung Visa (§16a)
Training contract, B1 German, living costs — and when §16d applies instead
Internship Visas (§16a / §16e)
Mandatory vs voluntary placements, minimum wage, and the 6–8 week timeline
Western Balkans Regulation
The 50,000 quota, waiting times by country, and what HR needs before submission
Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card)
Hiring candidates already in Germany — trial work, hours, permit conversion
ICT Card (Intra-Company Transfer)
Transferring managers and specialists from foreign branches
Degree Recognition (Anerkennung)
When recognition is required and how to speed it up
Blue Card Salary Calculator
Check if your candidate's salary meets the 2026 threshold
Get the 2026 Employer's Guide
9-page PDF covering immigration pathways, compliance obligations, and practical timelines for HR leaders.
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