Who it fits
- Graduates whose degree is recognised or comparable in anabin
- Anybody holding a German employment contract of at least six months
- IT specialists without a degree who have three years of relevant experience in the last seven
What is usually required
- A recognised higher-education degree — through an anabin entry or a ZAB assessment.
- A binding contract: at least six months, with duties that match the degree.
- A gross salary above the threshold for the year of application. Shortage occupations and the first three years after graduation use a lower one, and then the Employment Agency does have to approve it.
- A licence to practise, where the profession is regulated.
The route, step by step
- Check how the degree appears in anabin; obtain a ZAB assessment if it does not.
- Compare the contract and the gross salary against the threshold.
- For a regulated profession, start the licence process in parallel.
- Apply for the Blue Card at the mission and collect the entry visa.
- Register the address in Germany, collect the residence card, and settle permanently after 33 months — 21 with B1 German.
This page is informational and is not legal advice. Requirements change; ask the competent authority for binding information.
Is this your route?
Take the test to see how well your profile fits this route, or look at the packages built for it.
