Hiring international graduates: Student visa to EU Blue Card

Step 1

Candidate holds a student permit (§16b) or post-study job search visa (§20)

International students in Germany receive a residence permit under §16b AufenthG. After graduating, they can apply for a §20 job search visa, giving them 18 months to find qualifying employment. During this period, they can work without restrictions.

Step 2

Your job offer meets the Blue Card requirements

The position must match the candidate's qualification (or be in IT with 3+ years experience — no degree required). The gross annual salary must meet the threshold: €50,700 general or €45,934 for shortage occupations (STEM, medical, IT) in 2026. The employment contract must be for at least 6 months.

Step 3

relokate prepares the conversion application

We verify eligibility, prepare the complete document package (degree certificate, ZAB recognition if needed, employment contract, salary proof, passport, current permit, health insurance), and schedule the Ausländerbehörde appointment. In Berlin, we use our BIS partnership for dedicated processing.

Step 4

Application submitted — candidate continues working

The key advantage: the candidate can continue residing and working in Germany while the new Blue Card is processed. A Fiktionsbescheinigung (fiction certificate) is issued to bridge the gap between the old and new permit. Processing typically takes 4–8 weeks.

Step 5

Blue Card issued — permanent residence path begins

Once the Blue Card is issued, the employee has full work authorization tied to the sponsoring employer (free to switch after 12 months). The path to permanent residence opens: 27 months with A1 German, or 21 months with B1 German.

Can a student in Germany work for our company while still enrolled?

Yes. Non-EU students on a §16b permit can work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per year without additional approval. A half day is up to 4 hours. During semester breaks, they can work full-time within this annual limit. Working student (Werkstudent) contracts are common in tech companies. Once they graduate, the conversion to a Blue Card removes these restrictions.

What if the candidate hasn't graduated yet but we want to hire them?

Students still enrolled can work within the 140/280-day limit. Hiring a student full-time before graduation is a legal grey zone — the interplay between the student residence permit (§16b), employment law, and immigration status creates a complex situation with no one-size-fits-all answer. relokate has worked with a partner attorney to develop a dedicated guideline for exactly this scenario, which is available to relokate clients. We assess each case individually based on how close the candidate is to graduation, the type of role, and the urgency of the hire.

Does the degree need to be recognized in Germany?

For the EU Blue Card, the degree must be recognized. Degrees from many countries (EU, US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, etc.) are automatically recognized via the anabin database. Others may need a ZAB (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen) assessment. IT professionals with 3+ years of relevant experience can qualify for a Blue Card without a degree — a major advantage of the 2024 Blue Card reform.

How long does the student-to-Blue Card conversion take?

Typically 4–8 weeks from application to issuance. In Berlin, relokate's BIS partnership can accelerate this. The Beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren (fast-track, €411) can reduce it to approximately 4 weeks. The candidate can work throughout the processing period under a Fiktionsbescheinigung.

What salary does the job need to pay for a Blue Card?

In 2026: €50,700 gross annual salary (general threshold) or €45,934 for shortage occupations (STEM, medical, IT, and other designated fields). These thresholds are adjusted annually. relokate's free Blue Card salary calculator helps you verify whether your offer qualifies.

Can the candidate switch to a different employer after getting the Blue Card?

After 12 months: yes, freely — just notify the Ausländerbehörde. During the first 12 months: requires prior approval. See our employer change guide for full details.