General information

The EU Blue Card is aimed at highly qualified candidates, i.e. non-EU nationals holding a German or otherwise recognised equivalent university degree.

Since 1 August 2012, foreign nationals with a recognised university degree have easier access to the labour market under the EU Blue Card system. To obtain the Blue Card, they must simply provide proof of their qualifications and a concrete job offer that would provide annual gross earnings of at least 58,400 €. 

In the case of highly qualified foreign nationals with a background in mathematics, IT, the natural sciences or technology as well as medical doctors, the EU Blue Card conditions still apply, provided they are offered the same salaries as comparable German employees and their annual gross earnings would be at least 45,552 €. In these cases the approval of the Federal Employment Agency is required.

For general information about migration of qualified professionals go to:

www.make-it-in-germany.com

Where can I apply?

• NEW: Residents of any states and territories of Australia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu or Nauru can now submit their application online.

  After you apply and upload all necessary documents online, we’ll check the application and once it is complete, you will receive an invitation to book an appointment for verifying your identity, collecting biometric data (photo and fingerprints) and paying the fee. You will have to come only once for a short appointment.
  

• Residents of any states and territories of Australia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu or Nauru can also still apply at the Consulate General in Sydney in person. You will have to prepare all the necessary documents (see below) and book an appointment online. We will only check the documents at the appointment. If the application is incomplete, you might have to book another appointment.
  Your fingerprints will be electronically scanned as part of the application process.

• Australian citizens can apply for a work visa / residence permit after entering Germany at the local immigration authority. This also applies to citizens of Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Korea and the United States of America.
  Please note: Without a valid work visa / residence permit you are not allowed to work in Germany. If you intend to start working directly after arrival in Germany, we therefore recommend to apply for a visa beforehand. We also highly recommend to check availability of appointments with the competent immigration authority in Germany prior to departure, if you do travel without a visa.
  Citizens of other countries have to apply and obtain the visa prior to entry.

Which documents do I have to submit with my visa application?

(Please provide original plus 2 copies per document)

• valid Passport (validity of which should still be for at least 6 months from the intended arrival in Germany
• proof of visa status in Australia (if you are not an Australian citizen)
• 2 completed and signed application forms.

  Please fill out the online application form, print it out, sign it and submit it along with the other documents. Please ensure that the barcode is printed in  high quality.
  Alternatively, you can print out the application form below and fill it out by hand.

• 2 recent passport photographs (35 x 45 mm, front facial view, white background)
  

• Curriculum vitae of professional career, including certificates, diplomas, etc.
• German or otherwise recognised equivalent university degree
• Proof of recognition of the foreign qualification:
  One print out each from the anabin database for the degree AND the university:
  • You can enquire on the database ANABIN (only in German) if your foreign degree of higher education is comparable AND if the institution of higher education is recognized.
  • If your degree is not evalutated in this database, you will need to apply for an individual evaluation of your degree in order to obtain a “Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications”
  • If you wish to exercise a regulated profession (e.g. human medicine), you will need to have your degree recognized for Germany. You can find out whether your profession is regulated in the Recognition Finder on the “Recognition in Germany” portal. This website then also provides information about the recognition process. Detailed information can also be found on the Portal “Make it in Germany”.
• “Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis” (declaration on contract of employment) completed and signed by the employer
• Proof of stay in Australia (e.g. employment/ student confirmation)
• Full travel-health insurance covering the period until a German health insurance covers you- including details about coverage (at least € 30,000 and including repatriation costs; including coverage for pandemics like e.g. Covid19. Please highlight relevant passages in the insurance terms and print only the relevant pages)
• prepaid registered mail envelope with your address (if you request return by mail). Please note that the German Missions will not be held responsible for any loss or damage of passports due to postal or courier service delivery.
• visa fee: € 75 by credit card (VISA or MasterCard) or equivalent in cash (AU$). Other payment methods (e.g. with smart watch, mobile phone) not accepted.

Please ensure that your application documents are complete! Incomplete applications may result in rejection of the visa application.

Have a good trip! Information for visa holders

If all the information on your visa label is correct, you are free to travel. Please check the information on the label as soon as your passport is returned to you. You should let us know immediately if there are any mistakes so that we can issue you a new visa. 
Your visa will state your full name and passport number and include your photo. It will also state the number of days you can stay and the period of validity, that is, the time by which you must have received your residence permit for Germany. Please note that the visa is usually only issued for a maximum of 3 - 6 months.
Therefore, please do not forget to register at the residents registration office (Meldebehörde) shortly after you arrive in Germany and to make an appointment with the foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde). Be aware that some foreigners authorities have long waiting times for appointments. Your entry visa will allow you to travel within the Schengen area. However please be aware that you will be still subject to the 90 days within 180 days rule outside of Germany.