How to apply for Germany Job Seeker Visa?

Germany Job Seeker Visa from India

Germany is one of the best countries for foreign skilled workers to find to live and work as it offers multiple job and career opportunities for skilled and talented people. The job seeker visa in Germany is one of several pathways which allows immigration aspirants in overseas countries to visit the country and look for a job within a given time frame. If you manage to find a job before the end of given period (generally six months), you can apply for a work visa and a residence permit to work in Germany.

However, for this to happen an applicant must fulfil the eligibility criteria for a Germany job seeker visa and follow the pertinent application process.

What Is a Germany Job Seeker Visa?

A German job seeker visa is a work visa issued by the German government to the individuals, who wish to search for work in Germany. Once you receive this visa, you can live in Germany for six months and find a job and subsequently apply for a work permit to stay in Germany for long-term.

However, in case you already searched a job in this country and also have a valid contract, there is no need to apply for a job seeker visa; you can directly apply for a German work visa.

Do I Need to Apply for a Germany Job Seeker Visa?

If you are not a citizen of the following countries, you need to apply for a job seeker visa:

• EU/EEA and Switzerland.
• Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Canada, and the USA— if you are a national of these countries, you need to acquire a residence permit before you can work in Germany.

What Are the Eligibility Criteria for a Germany Job Seeker Visa?

To be eligible to apply for the job seeker visa, you require fulfilling the below requirements:

• You need to be a third-country national who require a visa to enter the country.
• Must have at least 5 years of experience in your related profession.
• You must have sufficient funds to support your stay in Germany.
• Need to have proof of academic or vocational training.
• Your qualifications must be recognised in Germany or are equivalent to a diploma obtained in the country.

What Are the Requirements for a Germany Job Seeker Visa?

You need to acquire numerous documents for your job seeker visa in Germany, i.e.

• Job seeker visa application form. Provide filled and signed application form for your job seeker visa.
• Valid passport+ a copy. Provide a valid passport issued during the last 10 years (with two blank pages) and a minimum of 3 months validity after leaving Germany (some embassies may ask for even a extended validity period depending on your citizenship status).
• Identity Photographs. Provide passport-sized photographs as per the requirements of the visa photo instructions according to the German consulate.
• Proof of accommodation. Include proof of accommodation during your stay in Germany, i.e. hotel reservations, rental agreements, or an invitation letter if planning to stay with a friend or family member.
• Proof of financial means. Include proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in Germany— you can do so by submitting one of the following:
  • Proof of blocked account (Sperrkonto) in your name showing at least €947 against your expenses per month.
  • A declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) sent by your inviter stating that they will cover all of your expenses.
• Proof of health insurance. Require submitting proof of valid travel health insurance fulfilling the insurance requirements with a minimum of €30,000 for medical coverage.
• Academic qualification proof. Need to provide proof of your academic and professional qualifications, including your degree, transcripts, vocational training certificates, etc.
• Proof of degree recognition.  Your degrees and other academic qualifications need to be completely recognised in Germany.
• Your resume. Submit your comprehensive CV. It should include your personal details, academic and professional qualifications, etc.
• Cover letter. Cover letter describing reasons for applying for a job seeker visa in Germany and your plans once visa is granted.

How Do I Apply for a Job Seeker Visa for Germany?

To apply for a job seeker visa in Germany, you need to follow a stepwise process:

1. Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria.
2. Find your application office.
3. Schedule an appointment.
4. Prepare your documents.
5. Pay the visa fee.
6. Submit your application.
7. Obtain your visa.
8. Move to Germany

Make sure you meet the Eligibility Requirements

Before you apply for a Germany job seeker visa, you need to make certain that you meet it’s eligibility criteria. For example, make certain your university degree is recognized in Germany or do the needful to ensure the same.

Find Your Application Office

Once you have confirmed that you are meeting the eligibility criteria for a job seeker visa in Germany, you need to find where you should submit your visa application in your home country. Most likely you need to submit your application at an embassy or consulate.

Schedule an Appointment

Once you found the relevant embassy or consulate for the submission of your job seeker visa application, schedule an appointment. Remember to take an appointment first, as you cannot visit the embassy or consulate without approval taken beforehand. Taking appointment may take some weeks, depending on the workload of the embassy or consulate, so take appointment accordingly.

Prepare Your Documents

Prepare the documents while waiting for the appointment day. You need to prepare some documents (listed below in the page). Make certain that all documents are per in accordance with embassy’s requirements, and some may require translation into German and certification to be eligible for submission.

Pay the Visa Fee

Now, pay the visa fee and attach the payment slip to your application along with other supporting documents. Applications submitted without paying visa fees won’t be considered.

Submit Your Application

Now, on the day of appointment; submit your application at the embassy or consulate. You may be asked to wait for an interview with regard to  your application. You may face the questions, i.e.

• Why you have applied for a job seeker visa
• Your plans regarding working in Germany,
• How long you plan to stay, etc.

Obtain Your Visa

If your visa application is found genuine and valid, you can obtain your visa, move to Germany and stay for the mentioned duration in the visa. During your stay, you should actively look for job if you wish to continue your stay. In case our visa is rejected, you will get a notification from the embassy mentioning the reason for denial and suggestions to follow.

Move to Germany with a Job Seeker visa

Once you have obtained the Job seeker visa, enter Germany and start searching for a job so that by the end of the visa duration, you can apply for a German work visa. Once you have landed in the country, register your temporary address in Germany at the local registration office. You need to do this 2 weeks after arriving.

Moreover, acquire a temporary residence permit as a job seeker individual. You will get it from a local foreigners’ authority. Also, acquire a valid health insurance after landing in Germany as travel insurance is for only emergencies.

FAQs- Germany Job seeker Visa

Where Do I Apply?

You need to apply for a job seeker visa at your nearby German embassy, consulate, or another VAC (visa application centre) in your home country representing Germany. In case, Germany does not have an official representative in your home country, you will have to submit your application to the embassy, consulate or VAC in a neighbouring nation.

How Long Does It Take to Process?

It generally takes 4 to 6 weeks to process your German job seeker visa application. However, the processing time can be lengthier depending on the embassy and based on the fact that your application is correct/complete or not.

How Much Does a German Job Seeker Visa Cost?

The Germany Job seeker visa in fees is €75. Usually, the embassies ask to pay the visa fee in cash and convert it to your local currency if needed.

For How Long Is a German Job Seeker Visa Valid?

The German job seeker visa is valid for 6 months. Carefully check your visa validity period and make certain that you don’t stay longer than the permitted duration; else, you may face penalties.

Can I Take My Family With a Job Seeker Visa in Germany?

Usually, you are not allowed to come along with your family to Germany on a job seeker visa. However, once you find a job and get a work visa, you can bring in your close family members (Partner and children)

Can I Extend the Visa?

Once your job seeker visa is expired, you won’t be able to extend it and hence, you need to return to your home country. However, you can apply for the same visa again, after you have spent the same duration of time outside of country as when you were in Germany searching job. However, if you find a job, you can apply for a work visa and continue your stay.

How Can I Convert My Job Seeker Visa to Work Visa in Germany?

Once you find a job in Germany being on job seeker visa, you can apply for an EU Blue Card, another work visa type or a residence permit for skilled professionals. Apply for work visa and residence permit at your area’s relevant Foreigners’ Authority.

Do I Need to Know German?

You don’t need a proof of language ability for your job seeker visa in Germany. However, despite this, it is advised to learn and be efficient in German language as it improve your chances of finding a job. In case, you have vocational qualifications, you may be asked to provide proof of language proficiency level B2 (CEFR).

What Is the Success Rate of Finding a Job in Germany With a Job Seeker Visa?

There is no standard or fixed time/data available to confirm success rate for finding employment on job seeker visa in Germany. It usually depends on some key factors, you’re your language ability, job area, education, work experience, etc.

To improve your chances of finding an employment under a job seeker visa, it is advised to start searching for job opportunities and apply for open positions before you actually get your visa. It will at least give you some start and will help you understand the job market, when you land in Germany.

Can I Work in Germany With a Job Seeker Visa?

Usually, you are not allowed to work on a job seeker visa. However in some special cases, you can be allowed to work for ten hours/ week on a probationary basis for a position you have applied for. You require discussing the this thing with your prospective employer and the visa office in your area.

Pros and Cons of German Job Seeker Visa

Find below a few pros and cons of applying for a job seeker visa in Germany:

Pros	Cons
You can move to Germany to look for work.	You won’t be able to extend your job seeker visa.
You can convert your Job Seeker Visa to a work visa.	You must find job in 6 months to continue your stay.
No language proficiency needed to apply for this visa	Language skills may prove crucial to improve chances of finding a job.

To know more and get trusted assistance to apply for Germany Job seeker visa this year, you may contact qualified and trusted Immigration Expert at Visas Avenue. You may call VA migration expert on Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or you can drop us an e-mail at info@visasavenue.com.