GERMANY · VISA ROUTE CHECK

German work visa route check

This check uses your offer, qualification recognition, experience, language and salary to suggest a suitable visa route. It supports initial planning and does not replace official assessment.

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German work visa route check tool

Start

Based on your circumstances, we filter the options step by step, then suggest a suitable German work visa route.

For planning and guidance only; the consulate and German authorities make the final decision.

Step 1

Do you already have a German employer's formal job offer/contract?

Without a contract, an Opportunity Card may allow entry to search for work.
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Step 2

Which sequence do you currently prefer?

Both can be considered, but preparation priorities differ.
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Step 3

Is this an intra-corporate international transfer (within the same company/group to Germany)?

If so, ICT (Intra-Corporate Transfer) is usually assessed first.
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Step 4

Which best describes your highest qualification?

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Step 5

Is your qualification recognised/comparable in Germany? ?

University degrees commonly use Anabin/ZAB; vocational qualifications often use IHK/HWK recognition.
You may select “Unsure”; the result will flag this for review.
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Step 6

What is your approximate German level?

Special routes such as placement agreements or qualification analysis often have an A2 requirement.
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Step 7

How much relevant experience have you gained in the last five years?

Experience-based employment usually considers at least two years of relevant experience within the last five years.
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Step 8

Can you document your experience (employment, social insurance, references, projects, etc.)?

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Step 9

Is your target role in IT, software or development?

Some experience-based routes offer more flexibility for IT, but still depend on the employer and approval.
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Step 10

What is your contract's approximate annual gross salary?

Blue Card and experience-based routes consider minimum salary thresholds, which change by year.
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Step 11

Minimum Blue Card annual salary (enter the official threshold for your application year)

For initial screening; the official threshold for the relevant year applies.
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Step 12

Do you have (or can your employer apply for) Federal Employment Agency (BA) approval?

Placement agreement routes explicitly require BA approval.
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Final step

Do you have a German recognition body's decision and invitation for a qualification analysis? ?

Qualification analysis assesses skills through practical tasks or interviews when normal recognition is inconclusive due to missing documents or information. It usually requires the body's agreement and invitation, often with at least A2 German.
Results

Suggested routes

Routes with a stronger match or clearer criteria appear first, with key points to complete or verify.

Questions about this check

Can I use the check without an offer?
Yes. Without an offer, it leans towards an Opportunity Card or preparing missing conditions before a work visa.
Is the result a final visa decision?
No. It is initial route guidance. German authorities and consulates decide applications.
Which Blue Card salary threshold should I enter?
Use the official threshold for your application year. Results support initial planning only.
What is a qualification analysis invitation?
When standard recognition is inconclusive, the responsible body may arrange a further skills assessment. This route generally needs an invitation.
Can I plan after a previous visa refusal?
Yes. Address the reasons for refusal, prepare the new route and explain what has changed.