General information

Acceptance of foreign nationals in the general employment category is based on the economic needs of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The two basic conditions are:

• Vocational or academic qualification
• A concrete offer of a contract employment

Australian citizens as well as citizens of Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States of America can apply for a residence permit after entering Germany at the local immigration authority, without applying for a visa beforehand. Please note that until the work permit has been issued you will not be able to work yet.

If you want to start working immediately after your arrival in Germany, you should apply for a visa about 8-10 weeks prior to the intended departure.

Application via the Online Portal

Residents of any states and territories of Australia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu or Nauru can now submit applications for general employment visas online.

You can simply apply for the visa online via the Online Portal of the Federal Foreign Office. Once you have uploaded the application and documents, your details and documents will be checked for completeness and any questions will be clarified with you directly via the portal.

At the subsequent appointment at the German mission abroad, only your identity will be checked, your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) recorded and the fee paid.

APPLY ONLINE NOW!

Necessary documents

Please do not staple the documents!

• Completed and signed application form
  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.
  Only if the online application form is not available, you can print out this application form and fill it out by hand.
• Signed declaration on job offers for employment visas
• Recent passport photograph (35 x 45 mm, front facial view, white background)
• Your national passport (validity of which should still be for at least 6 months from the intended arrival in Germany) - original plus 1 copy of the data page
• Proof of visa status in Australia (VEVO) (if you are not an Australian citizen)
• “Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis” (declaration on contract of employment) completed and signed by the employer
• Proof of your professional qualification (for example: university diploma) - original plus 1 copy
• Proof of employment in Australia
• 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”.
• Evidence of health/travel insurance valid in Germany with validity until a German health insurance covers you (if applicable) - including details about coverage (at least € 30,000 and including repatriation costs; 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 EUR by credit card (VISA or MasterCard) or equivalent in cash (AUD). Other payment methods (e.g. with smart watch, mobile phone) are not accepted.

Please note that we can process only complete applications. If you hand in your application with one or several documents listed above missing, you will have to come again for a new appointment.

Please note that you may be asked to present additional documents.

Additional information

• If your spouse and/or children are going to accompany you, you must submit a complete set of application documents for each family member. Please provide the original and one copy of the marriage certificate and the children's birth certificate.
• Upon your arrival the border authorities may examine whether the requirements for your entry continue to be valid. Entry may be refused by the border authorities although you are in possession of a valid visa. We advise you to carry with you documents giving evidence to the purpose of your stay.
• Once you have obtained your visa please check carefully that all entries are correct and in accordance with your application. Please inform the visa section immediately if there are any mistakes.
• 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.

Appointment booking

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 above) and book an appointment online.