Welcome
Job seeker visa
The job seeker visa is aimed at highly qualified Non-EU nationals holding a German, a recognised or a comparable foreign academic degree. The visa will enable the holder to remain in Germany for a period of six months in order to find appropriate employment.
This visa provides a seamless transition into a residence permit once you have secured permanent employment.
Processing period
The processing period may take 2-3 months. During the processing period you cannot inquire about the status of your application. Upon expiry of the processing period only the applicant, his/her legal representative or persons holding an authorization letter from the applicant may inquire about the status of the visas.
Fees
The fee is 75,00 € payable in USD cash only. Please bring small USD bills. The application form can be downloaded for free.
Necessary documents
Please bring the following documents in the mentioned order to your appointment at the Embassy. Additional documents may in some cases be requested. Documents sent in advance will not be archived.
Complete the online application form (application forms are required for each applicant separately; all children require separate forms).
Bring one signed copy of the form including the barcodes to your appointment.
A valid passport signed by the holder, issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least one year is necessary. The passport needs to have at least 2 subsequent blank pages. Please bring one photocopy of the passport biodata page to your appointment.
1 fully biometric passport photo, 35 x 45 mm, no older than three months. Digitally altered passport photos cannot be accepted. Please ensure that your photo adheres to German biometric requirements and is taken in front of a white/bright background.
Non-Zimbabweans - please bring your valid Zimbabwean residence permit and 1 photocopy to your appointment.
Original degree certificate or a copy either notarized by a notary public or certified by the issuing academic institution. Please bring 1 additional copy of the degree.
Any document in a language other than German or English needs to be translated into one of these languages by a certified or sworn translator. Please bring 1 copy of the translation.
Some regulated professions such as medical doctors, nurses, teachers, architects, auditors, tax advisors, etc. require a formal license to practise their profession in Germany. Please consult the recognition finder on www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de to find out more.
Via the data base anabin, you can check whether your foreign academic degree is recognized or comparable in Germany. Please print the anabin database result page twice.
Your degree is not listed on anabin? Please have the degree formally assessed through a „Statement of Comparability for Foreign Higher Education Qualifications“ issued by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).
Via the data base anabin, you can check whether your foreign academic institution is recognized in Germany. Please print the anabin database result once.
- Evidence of sufficient funds minimum EUR 934 for each month of stay, (valid as of 1 August 2022, subject to change). Options below may be combined, provided that the total requirement is being met. Please note that NO alternative evidence of funds is acceptable.
- Blocked account
- OR formal commitment („Verpflichtungserklärung“) by sponsor resident in Germany
Confirmation of health insurance cover commensurate with the level of statutory German public health insurance („gesetzliche Krankenversicherung“).
Please briefly describe your professional career.
Proof of German language skills at B1 level in the form of a recognised language diploma (original and 1 copy).
Book an appointment
Please use our online appointment booking system
Booking via telephone or email is not possible. At the appointment, you will submit all required documents and pay the visa processing fee. You will be interviewed with regard to your planned stay in Germany and your biometric data (passport photograph and fingerprints) will be collected.