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When it comes to settling down in a locality, one looks for the safety and advancement of the surrounding- the society, the healthcare facilities, the employment boom, and the overall economy of the place. When it comes to Germany, all the items mentioned above fall into their respective area.
It is one of the most enchanting countries in the whole of Europe. Be it growth-wise, economic boost, living standards, education facilities, safety and security, and employment provision, the nation is quite appealing for job seekers.
Why Should You Settle in Germany?
- More opportunities for migrants, due to the shortage of skilled workers in different sectors.
- Germany is one of the world’s most livable cities
- Highest paying jobs, great benefits
- 2nd most popular migration destination, after the US.
- When compared to other European countries, the cost of living in Germany is reasonable.
- Germany has a low unemployment rate, which is only 3.6%
An insight into the German job seeker visa:
It is a type of long term visa which entitles an individual to reside in Germany and proceed to find work. To be granted this visa, certain requirements should be met.
What is the German Job Seeker Visa?
True to its name, the Germany Job Seeker Visa is a long term visa exclusively for job seekers to visit the country and look for employment opportunities. The permit is valid for six months. If you find an employment opportunity in these six months, you will be offered a German work visa to start working there and be allowed to stay in Germany.
If you are facing trouble hunting for a job from abroad, Section 20 (1) (2) AufenthG (German Residence Act) empowers qualified professionals to seek employment from within the country. You can try applying for a residence permit and look for jobs meanwhile.
Kindly note that the German Job Seeker Visa does not allow you to start working in Germany until you apply for a work permit. The visa provides for your job hunt during your six months of Germany visit only.
Do I Need to Apply for a Job Seeker Visa for Germany?
There are three different criteria to determine whether you need to apply for the visa or not. If you fall into the first classification, you are not required to apply for any visa. It all depends on your nationality or citizenship.
- If you are from EEA, the EU, or Switzerland, you are free to visit Germany without the German Job Seeker Visa formalities.
- If you reside in any of the exempt countries, viz. the USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Israel, Canada, or Japan, you are exempted from the Visa requirement.
- If you do not fall in either of the above two classifications, application for a Jobseeker visa is a must to enter the gorgeous nation.
Quick Fact:
According to a study by the Institute for Employment Research by 2060, Germany is estimated to have an annual immigration requirement of a minimum of 2lakh sixty thousand immigrants.
What Is the German Job Seeker Visa Eligibility Criteria?
If your German Job Seeker Visa requirement is mandatory, the next logical step is to determine whether you are eligible for the Visa.
To know the same, you need to check whether you fulfill the following conditions to be an eligible Visa applicant.
- You need to possess a Bachelor’s or the Master’s Degree from a German University or of an equivalent foreign degree;
- You must have relevant (at least five years) experience in your field of interest/study;
- You must have your travel or medical insurance proof for the whole stay period in Germany or at least until you receive your work permit;
- You must have proof of sufficient funds for your entire period of Germany stay.
On-time submission of the documents is essential and mandatory to the German consulate or embassy in your country.
How to Apply for a German Job Seeker Visa?
Once you are eligible, make sure you follow the application procedure.
- Complete the Germany Job Seeker Visa Application form.
- Make a Visa appointment.
- Please keep all the necessary documents ready and produce them when asked.
- Crack the interview with the German Embassy/Consulate.
- Pay the required Job Seeker Visa fees as per the laws and regulations.
The suitable application form can be found here:
- Application form for a national visa (German-English; PDF)
- Application form for a national visa (German-Spanish; PDF)
- Application form for a national visa (German-French; PDF)
- Application form for a national visa (German-Chinese; PDF)
- Application form for a national visa (German-Arabic; PDF)
- Application form for a national visa (German-Turkish; PDF)
- Application form for a national visa (German-Russian; PDF)
- Application form for a national visa (German-Portuguese; PDF)
Documents required for your Germany job seeker visa application
You need to produce the following documents during the appointment. Please make sure they are original, valid, and correct as per your knowledge.
- Duly completed the German Job Seeker Visa application form.
- Valid passport
- Three copies of passport-sized photographs. Make sure all the pictures are identical and are of high quality.
- Updated Curriculum Vitae.
- Proof of health insurance policies. It applies to foreign workers in Germany.
- Proof of sufficient funds that cover the cost of your entire Germany trip. You can choose either of the following documents for verification-
- The bank account statement, or
- A Blocked bank account, or
- A formal obligation letter by a sponsor, residing in Germany- Verpflichtungserklärung.
- Proof of personal status, i.e., your birth certificate, your spouse, and children, if applicable; marriage certificate, if applicable.
- Cover letter, explaining, in brief, the objective behind your Germany visit, your plan to look for employment, and any alternative measures if you fail at your job hunt.
- Proof of Visa fee payment confirmation.
- Additionally, you can attach other documents to your application, such as a language certificate verifying your fluency in German or a signed letter of recommendation.
Kindly note that the German Embassy/Consulate reserves the right to seek any additional documents, if necessary.
Some Important Points:
- You must prove your financial sufficiency. You may open a blocked bank account in Germany. It means you are required to block a fund amount of €853 for every month of stay in Germany.
- Also, in case of additional documents, a German Language certificate carries a high weightage. Kindly note that English proficiency is enough to qualify for the Visa. However, your ability to speak German fluently will always have more weight.
Some of the Germany Job Seeker Visa interview questions are:-
- Are you ready for the interview?
- Why do you choose Germany?
- Do you have relevant experience in the field that you intend to work in Germany?
- Why did you select this course of study at the graduation level?
- Do you intend to come back to your country after a period of 1/2/3 years?
- Do you know that you can’t work during your six-month stay in Germany under this visa program?
- Do you have sufficient funds to support your stay in Germany for six months?
- Do you have the required motivation to search for the job?
- Do you have any relatives or friends in Germany?
Frequently Asked Questions about Germany job seeker visa
1. What Is the German Job Seeker Visa Fee?
The Germany Job Seeker Visa costs a non-refundable fee of €75, considering it is a long term visa valid for six months.
2. Can I extend the German Job Seeker Visa?
No, the Germany Job Seeker Visa cannot be extended beyond its original validity period of six months.
It means that if you fail to find a job within your six months stay of work visa in Germany, then you will have to leave the country and move back to your own.
However, if you find an employment opportunity within the visa validity period, you can apply for a work visa/ residence permit and continue working and residing in Germany.
3. Can I work with a German Job Seeker Visa?
No, you are not permitted to work in Germany with a job seeker visa. Once you find a job in the country, you will have to separately apply for a work visa/residence permit to work and reside in Germany.
4. Is IELTS required for a German Job Seeker Visa?
No, the IELTS requirement is not mandatory. However, German proficiency will help you during your application process. Nevertheless, there is no provision of proof attachment for your language ability in the application requirement.
5. How long will it take to get a German job seeker visa?
It generally takes nearly 4 to 6 weeks for an individual to get the visa. It takes a bit longer, especially for German national visas, since your application will be sent to the local immigration office located in Germany. But the processing time is conditional on how quick you are in submitting all the relevant documents.
6. The success rate of Germany Job Seeker Visa
The success rate of the German Job Seeker Visa is high given Germany is a land of opportunities. It’s no exaggeration to state that Germany has the lowest rates of unemployment compared to other developed and developing countries. Also, there’s an acute shortage of workforce in Germany in skilled and semi-skilled professions.
Frequently Asked Questions about jobs for foreigners in Germany?
1. Are there jobs for foreigners in Germany?
Skilled job-seekers from abroad have very good opportunities in certain professions. For instance, there are many jobs for engineers, doctors, nurses, as well as in the manual trades.
2. What are the best-paid jobs in Germany?
Scientists, doctors, and engineers are among the best-paid vocational groups. In Germany, however, salaries differ not only by profession – but there are also regional differences:
3. How can you find a job in Germany?
To find work in Germany you can approach the job center or use the job portals and key business networks. Alongside established job forums, innovative apps offer a surprising way of accessing the labor market.
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Conclusion
Ensure that you have all the information and knowledge about the visa application process and how you must also apply for a German residence permit once the job is obtained. Cross-check all the enclosures before going to the interview and keep scanned and extra hard copies handy. Don’t forget to carry your passport-sized photographs that meet the biometric requirements. Bookmark the important documents to avoid confusion. Ensure that you have a language proficiency certificate that states that you have a basic command of the German language in order to make your application process smooth.
Very informative and precise!
Good one 👌