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Visa for the Blue Card (EU) - with University degree
Professionals with an academic education apply for a visa for the Blue Card (EU) to take up employment in Germany - simply online via the consular services portal.
General Information
Requirements for the Blue Card (EU)
To apply for the Blue Card (EU) in Germany, you need:
- An academic degree recognized in Germany,
- A job offer in Germany that corresponds to your qualifications, and
- An annual gross salary of at least €45,300 (2024). For STEM professions and „career starters“ (where the academic degree is not older than three years), the minimum salary is €41,041.80 (2024). This applies, for example, to positions in fields such as medicine, engineering (including telecommunications), natural sciences, and mathematics. In these cases, the approval of the Federal Employment Agency is required.
Required Documents
To apply, you need the following documents:
In your application form (VIDEX), you provide all information regarding your entry and stay in Germany. You must complete this form and print it out once.
If you are a minor, your legal guardians must sign the application and give their consent.
A current biometric photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm front facial view with a light background), stamped, not older than 3 months. Digitally altered pictures will not be accepted.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of visa issuance. Please note that the document must have at least two blank pages (your visa will be affixed here upon a positive decision).
If you do not possess Canadian citizenship, please provide us with your Canadian residence permit.
Please also provide the original residence permit in Canada on the day of your appointment.
Proof of your residence in Canada can be, for example, your Canadian driver's license, electricity bill, water bill, or gas bill.
Please sign the following declaration and bring the original with you to the appointment:
Please have this form filled out by your future employer. The information about the job description must clearly indicate the intended activity!
Form: download here
This document can be, for example, the diploma of your degree program. If you obtained your degree from a university outside Germany, both the degree and the university must be recognized. You can find more information under the required documents “Recognition of the University Degree (anabin)” and “Recognition of the University (anabin).”
The translation of your university degree into English or German must be done by a sworn translator.
You can check whether your university degree is recognized in Germany through the Anabin database. The Anabin evaluation of your degree must state “Equivalent” or “Comparable.” Please print the search result from the database and bring the printout with you.
If you cannot meet this requirement, please contact the German authority responsible for the recognition of foreign degrees: KMK
You can check whether your foreign university is recognized in Germany through the Anabin database. The Anabin evaluation of your university must state “H+”. Please print the search result from the database and bring the printout with you.
If you cannot meet this requirement, please contact the German authority responsible for the recognition of foreign degrees: KMK
Individuals with statutory health insurance coverage are adequately insured from the first day of employment. Please provide proof of your statutory health insurance coverage.
If you enter the country before your statutory health insurance coverage begins, you must obtain appropriate supplemental insurance.
If you are planning a long or permanent stay, some travel health insurances may exclude coverage in their terms. This limitation may also apply to “incoming” insurance, so please ensure you have sufficient coverage with your supplemental insurance.
Please sign the following declaration and bring the original with you to the appointment:
The following documents are optional:
This document is only required for practicing a regulated profession in Germany, such as in the fields of medicine and law. You will receive this document from the relevant recognition authority in Germany. Please check the information portal “Recognition in Germany” (Anerkennung in Deutschland) to find out if your profession is regulated.
Employers in Germany can apply for an accelerated skilled workers procedure before applying for the visa. If you have this document, please submit it.
For more information, please visit here.
Employers in Germany can apply for preliminary approval from the ZAV (Central Foreign and Specialized Placement) before applying for a visa. If you have this document, please submit it.
For more information, please visit here.
If you have reached the age of 45 and do not have an annual gross salary of at least €49,830 (2024), you must provide proof of adequate pension provision.
You can submit various types of assets as proof for additional pension provision. These include statutory, state-regulated pension insurances, already accrued claims from private pension or life insurance policies, real estate, and other assets.
In certain cases, additional documents may be required. During the preliminary review of the online application, you will receive a notification directly through the Consular Services Portal regarding this.
Processing Time
Due to the regular need for approval from authorities in Germany, you should generally allow 4 weeks for the processing of your visa application (calculated from the submission of the complete application documents at the foreign representation).
Fees
See Fees for Visa applications at the Consulate General Toronto
Online Application and Appointment Booking via the Consular Services Portal
You can apply for the EU Blue Card visa online through the Consular Services Portal of the Federal Foreign Office. After uploading your application and documents, your information will be checked for completeness. Any ambiguities will be clarified directly through the Portal. Once all documents have been verified online, you will receive an invitation link for appointment booking via the Portal.
During the subsequent appointment at the foreign representation, only your identity will be verified, your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) will be collected, and the fee will be paid. Please also make sure to provide the original documents (listed in the checklist which is provided to you along with the appointment booking invitation link).
Click here for online application via the Consular Services Portal