Germany is one of the most sought-after countries for foreigners to find a job, as it offers many opportunities for talented and qualified people. The German Job Seeker Visa is one of many immigration pathways that allows third-country nationals to enter the country and seek work within a specific time frame. At the end of the term, if you have found a job, you can simply apply for a work visa and a residence permit.

However, it is important to know if you are eligible for a jobseeker visa and the requirements of the application process.

What is the German Job Seeker Visa? 

The German Job Seeker Visa is a work visa issued to anyone wishing to find a job in Germany. If you get this visa, you can stay in the country for a few months (usually six months) and find a job, then apply for a work permit and stay in Germany long term.

Please note that if you already have a job and hold a valid contract, you do not need to apply for a job seeker visa, you can directly apply for a work visa.

Do I need to apply for a German job seeker visa?
A jobseeker visa is required if you are not a citizen of:

EU/EEA and Switzerland.
Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Canada and the United States – if you are a citizen of these countries, you must obtain a residence permit to work in Germany. 

What are the eligibility criteria for the Germany Job Seeker Visa?
To be eligible for a jobseeker’s visa, you must meet the following conditions:

1.You are a national of a third country and need a visa to enter the country.
2.You have at least five years of relevant industry experience.
3.You have sufficient financial means to ensure your stay in Germany.
4.You have proof of the end of your academic or professional training.
5.Your qualifications are recognized in Germany or are equivalent to diplomas obtained in this country.
6.To greatly increase your chances of obtaining a jobseeker visa, you can use a frozen account as proof of financial resources.

What are the requirements for a German jobseeker visa?
There are several documents you will need to prepare for a jobseeker’s visa in Germany, including:

Jobseeker’s visa application form. You must submit a completed and signed Job Seeker visa application form.
1.valid passport + photocopy. Make sure you provide a valid passport issued within the last ten years, with two blank pages and valid for at least three months after your departure from Germany (some embassies may even require longer validity depending on your nationality ).

2.identity photos. Passport-size photo, in accordance with the visa photo guidelines of the German embassy or consulate.
Proof of residence. 

3.You must attach proof of your accommodation during your stay in Germany, such as a hotel reservation, rental agreement or invitation (if you are staying with friends or family).

4.Proof of financial means. You must also provide proof that you will be able to support yourself adequately while in Germany – you can do this by submitting one of the following:

proof of a blocked account of at least 947 EUR held in your name (Sperrkonto) shows what will cover your monthly expenses.
A declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) written by your host indicating that he will cover all your expenses.

Valid proof of health insurance. You must also present proof of valid travel health insurance that meets the insurance requirements, with medical insurance coverage of at least EUR 30,000.
Proof of university qualifications.

You must submit proof of your academic and professional qualifications, including your college diploma, transcripts, vocational training certificates, etc.

Diploma recognition certificate. Remember that for a job seeker visa your diploma and other qualifications must be fully recognized in Germany. Here you can use the Anabin database here to check whether your degree is accepted or submit the declaration of comparability required by the Central Office for Foreign Education (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen-ZAB). You can find all the details about the recognition of diplomas in Germany for the jobseeker visa here.

Your resume. Submit a copy of a detailed CV containing your personal information, including your academic and professional qualifications.

Cover letter. Provide a cover or motivation letter explaining why you are applying for a job seeking visa in Germany and what you plan to do once you obtain the visa.

How do I apply for a German work visa?
To apply for a work seeker visa in Germany, you must follow the steps below:

Online Application form here or Download the form here and submit at embassy

Check if you meet the eligibility requirements.

1.Find out if you meet the eligibility criteria
Before you can apply for a jobseeker visa, you must ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for the visa. For example, if you graduated from a university with a recognized degree in Germany, have taken the necessary steps to have your degree recognized or have the required work experience.

2.To find your application office.
If you meet the eligibility criteria for the German jobseeker visa, you should know where in your home country you should submit your visa application. You will probably file your application with an embassy or consulate.

3.Appointment
After you have found the appropriate embassy or consulate for your work visa application, you must make an appointment. Note that you must make an appointment first, as you cannot visit an embassy or consulate without prior permission. Keep in mind that depending on the workload at the embassy or consulate, it may take several weeks before you schedule an appointment to file your visa.

4.Preparing your documents
While waiting for your appointment day, you will need to prepare several documents (you will find the complete list below). You must ensure that all documents meet Embassy requirements, some documents may need to be translated into German and legalized in order to be submitted.

5.Payment of visa fees
You must also pay the visa fees and attach the payment slip to the rest of your application. Please note that your application will not be considered without payment of the visa fee.

6.Submit your application
Finally, on the day of your visa appointment, you can submit your application at the embassy or consulate. You may also be asked to attend an interview related to your application. Embassy or consulate staff will most likely ask you why you are applying for a work visa, what you plan to work in Germany, how long you plan to stay, etc.

Obtaining a visa
If your visa application is accepted, you can obtain the visa and enter Germany for the duration of the visa. During this period, you must be actively looking for work if you wish to continue your stay. If your visa is refused, you will be informed by the embassy or consulate informing you of the reason for the refusal and what you can do next.

Entering with a job-seeking visa
After obtaining the visa, you can enter the country to look for work, so that you can apply for a German work visa before the visa expires. Remember that you must register your temporary address in Germany with the local registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) once you enter the country – you must do this two weeks after entering the country.

You will also need a temporary residence permit for jobseekers, which you can obtain from the local German foreigners’ office (Ausländerbehörde). Note that you will also need to have valid health insurance when you arrive in Germany, as travel insurance is only valid for emergencies.

Where can I apply?

You should apply for a jobseeker’s visa at the nearest German embassy, ​​consulate or other visa application center representing Germany in your country. Note that if Germany is not officially represented in your country of residence, you may need to submit an application in a neighboring country.

How long does processing take?
It usually takes four to six weeks to process your application for a German jobseeker visa. But this processing time may be longer, depending on the embassy and the completeness of your application.

How much does the German Job Seeker Visa cost?
The job seeker visa in Germany costs 75 euros. Most embassies will ask you to pay the visa fee in cash and convert it to your local currency if necessary.

How long is the German jobseeker visa valid for?
Your German jobseeker visa is a national D visa valid for six months. Be aware of your visa’s expiration date and make sure you don’t stay longer than planned or you risk fines.

Can I bring my family to Germany with a jobseeker’s visa?
As a general rule, you are not allowed to bring your family members to Germany with a jobseeker’s visa. However, if you get a job and obtain a work visa, you can be reunited with your immediate family, i.e. your partner and children.

Can I extend my visa?
You cannot extend your jobseeker visa; once your visa expires, you must return to your home country. You stay outside Germany for the same duration as when looking for work at home and you can apply for the same visa again.

Note that if you find work, you can apply for a work visa and stay there.

How do I convert my job search visa into a work visa in Germany?
If you find a job in Germany with a jobseeker’s visa, you can apply for an EU Blue Card, another work visa or a residence permit for qualified professionals. You must apply for a work visa and a residence permit from the competent authority for foreigners (Ausländerbehörde or Ausländeramt) in your region.

Do I need to know German?
You do not need to provide proof of language proficiency for the jobseeker visa in Germany.

However, we strongly encourage you to improve your German skills as this will give you a better chance of finding a job.

However, if you have a professional qualification, you may need to demonstrate a B2 language level (CEFR).

What is the success rate of finding a job in Germany with a job seeker visa?
There is no fixed success rate for finding a job in Germany with the Jobseeker visa – it depends on various factors, such as your language skills, area of ​​work, qualifications, work experience, etc.

To increase your chances of getting a job on a job seeker visa, we strongly recommend that you start job searching and apply for different positions before you receive your visa, so that you have a point of reference. departure when you enter Germany.

Can I work in Germany with a jobseeker’s visa?
As a general rule, you cannot work in Germany with a jobseeker’s visa. However, under certain circumstances, you may be allowed to work a 10-hour trial week for the position you are applying for. You will need to discuss this with your future employer and the immigration office in your area.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Job Seeker Visa Germany
Here are some pros and cons of applying for a job seeker visa in Germany:

Pros	Cons
You can enter the country to look for work.	You cannot extend the visa.
You can convert your visa to a work visa.	You must find employment in six months.
No language skills are required for the visa application.	Language skills are needed for better chances of finding a job.
Opportunity to work in one of the best world economies.