Welcome to Germany Visa & Residence
Traveling to another country for study, training, or work requires proper legal permission. If you are planning to move to Germany, understanding the different visa types for Germany is the most important step before applying
Visa Types for Germany
Germany offers multiple visa types for Germany
EU Blue Card
Work Visa for Qualified Professionals
Visa for Professionally Experienced Workers
Recognition Partnership Visa
IT Specialist Visa
Visa for Vocational Training (Ausbildung)
Student Visa
Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)
Job Seeker Visa
Family Reunification Visa
Researcher Visa
Self‑Employment / Freelance Visa
Germany provides multiple visa pathways for international students, entrepreneurs, skilled workers, IT professionals, vocational trainees and job seekers. Each visa category is designed for a specific purpose such as employment, vocational training (Ausbildung), university study, qualification recognition, or family reunification.
Below, we will explain the major Germany visa types available for international applicants, including Germany work visa , EU Blue Card, Ausbildung visa, Germany green card, Germany student visa, Germany IT specialist visa, recognition visa and Germany residence visa options.
These visa types for Germany are regulated under the German Residence Act (AufenthG) and are part of the country’s skilled immigration framework.
Germany Vocational Training Visa (Ausbildung visa)
The vocational training visa is among the most practical visa types for Germany, which is also called the Ausbildung Visa is for people from countries who want to get vocational training in Germany and start working. This visa is given out under Section 16a of the Residence Act, which is also known as the AufenthG. The Germany Vocational Training Visa lets people who are not from the European Union come to Germany to get training in things like healthcare, nursing, technical trades and hospitality
To get this visa you need to have a contract for training that is confirmed or a letter that says you can go to a school. You also need to show that you have money, which is decided by the rules for 2026. This means you need to have an amount of money each month or have an account that is blocked if you do not make a lot of money. You need to have health insurance that’s valid and you usually need to speak German at a B1 level.
For training programs that are done with a company the Federal Employment Agency checks to make sure the salary and working conditions are good enough according to the rules in Germany
See More: Full Germany Vocational Training Visa Guide
After completing vocational training in Germany , holders of this visa types for Germany can stay up to 18 months to search for qualified employment.
Germany Work Visa for Qualified Professionals
Germany Work Visa is designed for skilled professionals who want to enter fo work in Germany based on their education and professional experience. This visa is issued under the law of German skilled immigration and is regulated by the German Residence Act AufenthG. It allows qualified non‑EU applicants to enter Germany if they have a valid job offer and meet the legal employment conditions set by German authorities
EU Blue Card Germany
EU Blue Card Germany is a residence permit for those people which are professionals highly qualified and want to work in skilled positions in Germany. It is regulated under the Residence Act (AufenthG) and is part of Germany’s skilled immigration system designed to attract international experts in high‑demand sectors. This permit is mainly for university graduates who have secured a qualified job offer in Germany and meet the required minimum salary threshold, which is updated each year by the German government. A lower salary requirement may apply to shortage occupations such as IT, engineering, and healthcare.
Applicants must show they can support themselves during their stay while searching for a job. Once employment is secured, they can switch to a work residence permit.
Germany Job Seeker Visa
The Germany Job Seeker Visa is for people who want to go to Germany and look for a job. They do not need to have a job lined up before they go. This visa lets them stay in Germany for up to six months. During this time they can go to interviews. Look for jobs. They can also meet people who might give them a job.
To get this visa the Germany Job Seeker Visa people need to have an education or a lot of work experience. They also need to have money to take care of themselves while they are in Germany. They need to have health insurance and a place to live. People, with the Germany Job Seeker Visa cannot work time while they are looking for a job. However they can go to interviews. Do some work to try out a job if certain conditions are met.
Recognition Visa (Qualification Recognition Visa)
The Germany Recognition Visa helps professionals whose qualifications from another country are not fully recognized in Germany.This visa lets them come to Germany to do training join qualification programs or take professional exams.That way they can get their degree or vocational certification fully recognized.Once they get recognition they can change to a skilled worker residence permit.Then they can keep working in Germany.The visa is for professionals who need a few more steps before they can work in Germany.
It supports them in getting their qualifications recognized so they can join the labor market. The Germany Recognition Visa is a pathway, for these professionals.
Family Reunification Visa
The Germany Family Reunification Visa is for family members of people who already live in Germany or are German citizens. This means that husbands and wives and kids can go live with them in Germany. Sometimes parents can also go. The husband or wife has to show that they can speak some German before they can apply. They have to prove that they are really married or related that there is room for everyone to live and that the person in Germany has enough money to take care of them.
The Germany Family Reunification Visa helps families live together in Germany without any problems with the law. The Germany Family Reunification Visa is important, for families who want to live in Germany.
Self‑Employment / Freelance Visa
Germany has a visa for people who want to start their own business in the country. This is really great for people who work with computers like IT professionals and for people who have their companies like startup founders.
Germany also likes to help freelancers and people who are good at creating things like artists and writers. To get this visa you have to show Germany that you have a plan for your business. You have to prove that you have money to take care of yourself.
Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte – 2026 Reform)
The Germany Opportunity Card, also known as Chancenkarte is a way for people to move to Germany. This was started as part of Germanys 2026 Skilled Immigration Reform. The Germany Opportunity Card allows people from outside the European Union who are good at what they do to come to Germany without having a job. They can then look for a job in Germany.
The way the Germany Opportunity Card works is that people get points for things. These things include the kind of job training they have how well they speak languages, the kind of work they have done how old they are and if they have money.
The Germany Opportunity Card is meant to get skilled workers to come to Germany in areas where there are not enough workers. The Germany Opportunity Card is really, about getting skilled workers to move to Germany.
