Employment Immigration · Germany
Working in Germany: visas and residence for qualified professionals
Legal guidance for doctors, engineers, IT specialists and other qualified professionals with German employment contracts, work visas, EU Blue Cards and selected residence matters.
Legal guidance for doctors, engineers, IT specialists and other qualified professionals with German employment contracts, work visas, EU Blue Cards and selected residence matters.
A German employment contract is an important starting point but does not automatically guarantee a work visa. The correct residence route depends on qualification, profession, job, recognition status and existing immigration status.
Qualified employment
Sections 18a and 18b of the German Residence Act can be relevant for skilled workers with vocational or academic qualifications.
EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card under section 18g is a separate residence route for qualifying employment. Relevant factors include qualification, job offer, employment duration, salary and, for regulated professions, professional licensing.
Doctors
Medicine is a regulated profession in Germany. Internationally trained doctors generally require the relevant professional licence, including Approbation for unrestricted medical practice.
Engineers
Recognition requirements depend on the occupation and, in particular, whether use of the regulated professional title is involved.
IT professionals
Under specific statutory conditions, an EU Blue Card may be available without a traditional university degree where sufficient comparable professional experience can be demonstrated.
Already living in Germany
The relevant issue may instead concern employer change, extension, change of residence purpose or EU Blue Card conditions.
Visa refusal
Germany abolished the remonstration procedure for visa refusals worldwide on 1 July 2025. Depending on the case, a new application or judicial review may still be available.
Scope
The practice focuses on employment-based immigration for qualified professionals rather than general asylum, citizenship or family-reunification work.
Related Content
Does your matter involve Germany and Turkey?
For an initial assessment, briefly describe the matter, countries involved, your objective and any running deadline.