Germany Skilled Worker Visa for Indian Nationals 

Skilled workers can apply for a German skilled worker visa. The visa permits you to stay in Germany for your employment. The Skilled worker visa refers to the D visa or a long-stay visa. You need this visa to stay for more than 90 days within 180 days. Those with relevant professional training, and academic degrees are eligible for this visa. You need to apply for a German skilled worker visa at a German embassy or consulate General. Keep reading to learn more about the German skilled worker visa.

Who Needs a Germany Skilled Worker Visa?

Germany skilled worker visa is for anyone who wants to take up a skilled occupation in Germany. However, citizens of certain countries are exempt from the visa requirement. They are:

• Citizens of the EU member states or Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, or Switzerland.  
• Citizens of Canada, Australia, Japan, Israel, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, the New Zealand, or the USA

Who Qualifies as a Skilled Worker in Germany?

Skilled workers are divided into two categories:

• Applicants with professional training are recognised in Germany. The professional training programme must have been for at least 2 years.
• Applicants with university degrees are recognised in Germany. The academic degree obtained must be equivalent to a degree obtained in Germany.

As a skilled worker, you are only permitted to take up jobs that are for ‘’qualified employment’’.

Learn about studying in Germany for free

Importance of Obtaining a Germany Residence Permit 

A German skilled worker visa is not enough. You need a residence permit as well. First, you will have to apply for a skilled worker visa (D visa), and then travel to Germany. A skilled worker visa is given for a fixed time. During this period, you can apply for a residence permit. You cannot start working without a residence permit.

Germany Skilled Worker Visa Requirements 

The documents required for a skilled worker visa are as follows. You must ensure that you have gathered the necessary documents before applying for the visa.

• Your foreign degree is officially recognised in Germany
• Those who have received a job offer must ask their employer to fill out a form. The form is called the Declaration regarding a contract of employment.
• Those who have been issued written permission to start their profession, and want to work in a regulated profession (like that of a health care sector worker).
• Additionally, you must meet the visa requirements as a foreigner. That is, you must have a valid passport, meet the English language requirements, and financial requirements, and have health insurance.You must also provide proof of residence (where you are currently staying), and proof of a clean criminal record

Those who have completed their professional training or education in Germany do not need to provide an officially recognised certificate.

Download this PDF to view the documentation requirements for a spouse

Download this PDF to view the documentation requirements for a child

When to Apply for a Germany Skilled Worker Visa?

You can apply for a Germany skilled worker visa at least 6 months before the travelling date. The visa application cannot be submitted earlier than 6 months. It is also recommended that you do not wait until the last mintute to apply for the visa.

How to Apply for a Germany Skilled Worker Visa?

You can fill out the visa application form by visiting the official website of the Federal Foreign Office/Consular Service Portal. Indian nationals can also apply online through VFS Global. The application process is as follows:

• Determine which German embassy or consulate you want to apply to based on location. The German embassy is in New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai.
• Download the long-term visa application form, and fill out the same 
• You need to get a visa appointment and pay the visa application fee
• On the date of your visa appointment bring your original documents and passport 
• Your biometric information also has to be submitted at the visa application centre 
• You can track the status of your visa application online by entering your reference number, and last name 
• After a decision is made, you can collect your original documents and passport from the visa application centre.

Steps to Take After Reaching Germany

After reaching Germany on a work visa you need to complete certain formalities. This is required for you to obtain a residence permit.

• You will have to visit the Foreigner’s Office in Germany (situated near your residence). You may have to seek an appointment before your interview 
• After that, you need to attend a visa interview. You are required to present your documents for the same. 

Some of the documents you require include 

• Your passport, and two photographs
• Visa application form to obtain a residence permit
• Provide proof of a clean criminal record 
• Provide proof that you can speak the German langauge (if applicable)
• Present proof of health insurance, and 
• Job offer letter.

Germany Skilled Worker Visa Fees

The Germany skilled worker visa fee is as follows:

Age Group	Visa Fee
Adult	EUR 75.68
Children Between 6-12 years	EUR 37.84
Below 6 years	Free

Germany Skilled Worker Visa Processing Time 

The Germany skilled worker visa processing time is as follows:

Visa	Processing Time
Long-term Visa/D visa/National Visa	2 weeks to 6 months

5 Tips to Secure a Job in Germany

As you already know before applying for a Germany skilled worker visa, you need a job in Germany. Therefore, we have provided some tips that can help you secure a job in Germany.

• Search German job sites- For example, the International Placement Service (ZAV) offers excellent opportunities for foreigners. Another popular site is  Workwise.io. You can also directly contact the companies you are interested in applying.
• Send application: After you have decided which job you want to apply for, you can apply for the same. You need to submit your CV, educational certificate copy, and employer testimonials, and work samples. You also need to attend a job interview.
• Attend the interview: Most employers will conduct an online interview. In case, the interview is held offline you can apply for a job seeker visa, and attend the interview. If you secure a job you can apply for a Germany skilled worker visa. Later on, you can apply for a residence permit.

Which Skilled Workers are in Demand in Germany?

There are a few jobs that are in high demand in Germany. These are as follows:

• Engineers (mechanical, electrical, and automotive engineers)
• Software developers (those who know Python, Java, SQL, etc)
• IT professionals (IT consulting, cybersecurity, data science, etc)
• Healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors, and medical technicians)
• Management Consultants, and Business Analysts (those with experience in digital transformation are sought after)
• Educators & Academics (academics from the STEM fields, university professors, early childhood educators, etc)
• Skill trades (construction workers, plumbers, electricians, etc)
• Financial Service Professionals (risk management, and financial analysis areas)

Can I Enter Germany without Finding a Job?

Yes. You can enter Germany without finding a job. An opportunity card has been introduced for the purpose (June 1st 2024). The card allows you to stay in Germany for 12 months to seek employment. However, you must meet the requirements;

• Must have German equivalent qualifications for the job. You do not have to prove language skills if you come under this category 
• You must have completed a degree from a foreign university, and 2 years of vocational qualifications, or vocational qualifications issued by the German Chambers of Commerce abroad. If you come under this category, you need to have basic German langauge skills. (A1) or intermediate-level skills.

Learn all about the Germany study visa 

Germany Skilled Worker Visa: Latest Updates

 Germany has plans to increase the number of skilled worker visas to 90,000 per year. The previous limit was 20,000. As per the German Ambassador to India, Germany is facing a worker shortage. Therefore, these vias are aimed at filling the gaps in job sectors. For example, in nursing, information technology, and caregiving.

The data from the German Economic Institute showcases that there are at least  570,000 job vacancies in Germany. Ambassador Ackermann stated that Germany has had positive experiences with Indian migrants. Therefore, they are aiming to increase the migration to address the labour shortage.

To learn more about Germany granting visas to Indians, watch this video:

FAQs

We hope you now understand all about the Germany Skilled Worker visa. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!