General information

As of 1 August 2012, graduates with a German or other recognized university degree or a foreign degree comparable to a German degree will be eligible to enter Germany to seek employment. Holders of a jobseeker's visa may stay in Germany for up to six months to seek employment.

To obtain a jobseeker's visa applicants must provide proof of their university degree and proof of financial means for the intended duration of stay (at the moment 1,027 EUR per month). While seeking employment jobseekers are not permitted to work, neither employed nor self-employed.

This visa is aimed at highly qualified candidates, i.e. Non-EU nationals holding a German or otherwise recognized equivalent university degree. The visa enables the holder to stay in Germany for a period of six months in order to find appropriate employment.

General information on graduate immigration is available via the portal for qualified professionals: www.make-it-in-germany.com.

Canadian citizens as well as citizens of Australia, 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.

Necessary documents

Please do not staple the documents!

• Completed and signed application form
  Please fill out the online application (VIDEX) 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.
• 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 Canada (if you are not a Canadian citizen)
• Curriculum vitae of professional career, specifying the certificates, diplomas, etc. you have obtained
• German or otherwise recognized 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”.
• Detailed motivation letter providing information on the planned course of action to secure a job (sector, region, intended place of residence/accommodation etc.)
• Any additional evidence of further preparations made to find a job in Germany
• Full travel-health insurance covering the whole period of stay (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)
• Proof of financial means (currently 1,027 EUR per month)
• Prepaid registered mail envelope with your address. 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 (CAD). Other payment methods (e.g. with smart watch, mobile phone) 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

• 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

All Canadian residents need to apply at the Consulate General in Toronto in person. You will have to prepare all the necessary documents (see above) and book an appointment online.