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What is the EU Blue Card in Germany?

An EU Blue Card in Germany is a residence permit for highly qualified persons from non-European countries. It gives a right of legal stay in Germany to highly qualified persons from non-EU countries and allows them to work in Germany and other EU countries. A Blue Card also facilitates these highly qualified persons to permanently stay in Germany.

Blue Card is introduced to attract highly qualified persons to the European market. So you can say that the Blue Card is identical to the Green Card of the USA. Both give permission to highly qualified persons to stay and work in specific countries.

Eligibility:

The EU Blue Bard is introduced with a minimum salary limit that makes it significant only for some specific professions. A minimum annual salary of 56,400 euros (2023) is required for all general professions in order to apply for a blue card in Germany.

The requirement for some specific professions is only 43,992 euros (2023) annually. These professions are Information Technology, engineering, mathematics, natural sciences, and human medicine (except dentistry).

You are qualified to apply for an EU Blue Card in Germany if you met the minimum salary requirement (according to your profession) as mentioned above.

Note: The authorities change the minimum salary requirement for the EU Blue Card each year. So you must check the latest amount on the website of the Immigration Office or German Embassy.

Validity:

The EU Blue Card is a temporary residence permit issued for a maximum of four years. If your job contract does not cover the four years duration then it will be issued to you for the job contract duration plus 3 months. In case, your passport expires before your job contract then the Blue Card will also expire with your Passport.

Permanent settlement in Germany with Blue Card:

If you are a Blue Card holder then you can get a permanent settlement in Germany after 33 months. If you know the German language up to the B1 level then you can get a permanent settlement in Germany after 21 months. But you have to pay income tax and pension insurance during this entire period.

Complete Requirements:

These are the requirements in order to apply for an EU Blue Card in Germany:

• A degree (bachelor, master, or PhD) obtained from a German or foreign university. If your degree/s is from a foreign university then you need an equivalency certificate. You can apply for this equivalency certificate at ZAB.
• A job contract must match your qualifications and fulfills the minimum salary requirement according to the profession.
• Proof of health insurance.
• A biometric picture.
• Valid passport.

How do I get a Blue Card in Germany?

Procedure to apply for EU Blue Card outside European Union:

If you are living outside the European Union and want to apply for the EU Blue Card then first you need a work visa to enter Germany. Apply for this work visa at the German Embassy of your country.

After reaching Germany, you can immediately apply for Blue Card at the local Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde). Please keep in mind, it is necessary to register your residence address in the Citizen Office before going to the Immigration Office.

You can start working immediately after the submission of the EU Blue Card application to the Immigration Office.

Procedure to apply for Blue Card while residing in Germany:

If you are already residing in Germany on a student visa or work visa and met the requirements of the EU Blue Card then apply for a Blue Card at the local Immigration Office. Students can also continue their studies after getting the Blu Card.

EU Blue Card application procedure for the citizens of the visa exempted countries:

If you are a citizen of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and South Korea then you can enter Germany without a visa and apply for the EU Blue Card within three months of your arrival.

FAQs about the Blue Card in Germany:

Source of information: bamf.de