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Visa for Personnel Exchange/ICT (Intra-Corporate Transfer)
General Information
There are two types of visas:
Visa for International Personnel Exchange
This visa is for employees who are sent by their employer in their home country to work in Germany. The condition for a residence permit under § 10 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 of the Employment Regulation (BeschV) is that employees travel to Germany at the request of their employer to work here.
Key requirements include:
- The employee must have a university or technical college education or a comparable qualification (which does not need to be recognized in Germany).
- The employee should work as a qualified specialist within an internationally operating company or corporation in Germany (not necessarily a “mutual” exchange).
- Participation in an International Project in Germany.
Visa as an ICT Card (Intra-Corporate Transfer)
This visa can also be issued if the employee signs a domestic employment contract while simultaneously suspending their foreign employment relationship.
Only executives, specialists, and trainees can receive an ICT card!
- Executives hold a leadership position and are responsible for managing and directing the company or a part of it in Germany.
- Specialists must possess specific expertise essential for the domestic company or part of the company. They should also have a high qualification and relevant professional experience.
- Trainees must provide proof of a university degree. They participate in a trainee program for which they are compensated, aimed at their professional development or further education.
Required Documents
To apply, you will need the following documents to present at your appointment at the consulate, in original form.
Do not staple the submitted 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.
Form: download here
Form: download here
Please provide us with your resume in either English or German.
If you have preliminary approval (“Vorabzustimmung”) from the Federal Employment Agency (“Bundesagentur für Arbeit”), you may also submit this.
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.
If it is a personnel exchange, please also submit:
The translation of your university degree into English or German must be performed by a sworn translator.
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. For more information, please refer to www.anabin.de
In certain cases, additional documents may be required.
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
Additional information and appointment booking
- 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.
- 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.
- Please do not forget to register at the 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.
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.