Documents for Germany Work Permit in 2023 | Application Process

German Work Permit – Germany, being the fourth largest economy in the world has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the whole of Europe. That is why; it is an attractive place for skilled persons to find employment. In order to be able to work in Germany, you will need a work visa and/or residence/work permit.

Who needs a Work Permit to work in Germany:

If you are not a German citizen, you will need a residence permit and a work visa to be able to work in Germany. However, citizens of the following countries are exempt from the Work Permit requirement:

• EEA/EU member states the United States of America
• Australia
• Canada
• Israel
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Switzerland
• The Republic of Korea

Citizens of countries, other than the aforementioned ones need a work visa to start working in Germany. Before applying for a work visa, you should already have a valid job offer or job contract from a German company. The following lines articulate everything you need to know about the process of applying for a German work visa.

German Work Permit | How to Apply:

Locate the German consulate or embassy in your home country and gather all the documents that you will need to submit along with the visa application. Schedule an appointment for the visa interview and pay the visa application fee. Keep the fee receipt with you to submit with all the documents at the time of the interview. Once you take the interview, all you have to do is wait for the response from the visa authorities.

Required Documents for German Work Permit Application

The documents required to be submitted along with the German Visa application are as follows:

• Two properly filled application forms
• Two recent passport-sized photographs
• National passport (With Validity above six months)
• Proof of residence in the form of a driver’s license or a utility bill in your name.
• Health insurance certificate sent from your employer in Germany starting from your employment commencement date. You also need to present travel insurance funded by your employer or by yourself. The travel insurance will have to provide health insurance from the date that you arrive in Germany till the date of your first day of employment.
• A valid job offer or job contract stating the details of your employment in Germany.
• An updated CV
• Academic records such as degrees, diplomas, and transcripts.
• Authorization by the Federal Employment Agency if applicable.
• A clear criminal record.
• Receipt of paid visa fee.
• Testimony of truthfulness of the information provided.

Application Fee of German Work Permit: €75

The German work visa application fee is €75. Some German embassies might ask for less fee so it is better to check with the embassy or consulate in your home country. The fee is non-refundable and will not be reimbursed in case of visa rejection.

German Work Visa | Processing Time:

The processing time depends upon the workload that the German Embassy is handling in your home country. As an estimate, it can take from one to three months to process your visa application. It is better to apply as early as possible and let your employer in Germany know that you won’t be able to commence your job right away since you need a work visa to start working in Germany.