Germany Work Visa

Germany Freelancer Visa

The Germany Freelancer visa is of 2 types namely, a Visa for Freelance Employment (Freiberufler), and a Visa for Self-Employment (Selbständiger). The jobs supported by the Visa for Freelance Employment include writer, artist, engineer, auditor, architect, teacher, etc. You will be issued this visa if it is beneficial to the German economy.

You will be issued the Visa for Self-Employment if you are the sole proprietor, managing representative, or the founder of a company. Also, your business must have been financed by equity or a loan commitment, and be beneficial to the German economy. Additionally, Germany must have an economic interest in your line of work or business before you are issued the visa.

Germany Job Seeker Visa

This visa is a Work visa issued to non-Canadian citizens who want to enter Germany and find job opportunities. Upon the issuance of the Germany Job Seeker visa, you will be permitted to enter Germany and look for a job for up to 6 months. When you find work in Germany you may then apply for a work permit to remain in Germany for the foreseeable future.

Au Pair Visa

This visa is designed for foreign nationals who want to enter Germany and learn more about the German language and culture. To obtain this visa you must be 18 to 26 years old, and the visa program typically lasts for 6 to 12 months.
Additionally, you must have an A1 level of German proficiency before you are granted the Au Pair visa. You must obtain a residence permit before you begin your work in Germany.

Working Holiday Visa

The Working Holiday visa, otherwise known as the Youth Mobility visa, allows young people to enter Germany and work for an employer for up to 1 year. You can only participate in this visa program once and you are not allowed to bring your dependents to join you on this visa.

EU Blue Card

This is a unique residency title issued to non-EU citizens who are highly qualified in their field of work. It is typically designed for foreign academics and individuals who have comparable qualifications to take up qualified employment where there is a shortage of qualified personnel in Germany. You must earn a minimum of €56,400 to qualify for the EU Blue Card.

Work Visa for Qualified Professionals

This visa is designed for non-EU/EFTA-qualified professionals who want to obtain employment in Germany. To obtain this visa, you must have participated in qualified vocational training, or have attended an institution of higher education outside of Germany. The residence permit issued for this visa aligns with the duration of your work contract, but this visa is typically valid for 4 years.

Visa for IT Specialists

This visa is typically issued to non-EU applicants who neither have a university degree nor any formal qualifications. It allows the people under this category to have the opportunity to work in Germany after obtaining a job offer from a German employer.

Visa for Research

Germany is a welcoming nation to scientists and researchers from all over the world because it cherishes innovation. Obtaining a Researcher visa will allow you to carry out your research in Germany and this depends on your nationality.

Step 1. Gather Your Documents

Canadian residents applying for a Germany Work visa should gather all the needed documents for their application in advance. You must include your completed visa application form with accurate information.

Note that before you gather your documents, you must have chosen a specific Germany Work visa type that suits your situation and aligns with your job offer. If you do not know the exact visa type to choose you can contact one of our immigration lawyers at Total Law to assist you.

We can also help you throughout the Germany Work visa application stages. Just call us today on +1 844 290 6312 or message us online for immediate assistance.

Step 2. Schedule an Appointment

Book an appointment with the German Consulate General in Toronto to submit your documents. If you do not schedule an appointment before visiting the Consulate, your application or document will be refused.

Step 3. Attend the Appointment

You must attend the appointment on time, as you may not be attended to if you are late. You will be issued a token after your appointment letter has been verified, and the submission process typically takes about 10 minutes.

Step 4. Collection of Application Information

At this stage, the information in your application form will be entered into the German Consulate’s online system. You must cross-check the information to ensure it is error-free and sign it when a copy of the filled-out information is given to you. This stage roughly takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 5. Pay the Germany Work Visa Fees

Pay your Germany Work visa application fees and keep the receipt that proves your payment after it’s given to you. You will need to come along with the payment receipt to pick up your visa.

Collection of Biometric Data

Your biometric information (fingerprints and photographs) will be collected once you finish your application. This stage takes about 7 to 18 minutes. Your application will be reviewed by the German Consulate in Toronto and you may be required to provide more documents when necessary.

Non-Canadian citizens residing in Canada must meet the Germany Work visa requirements by providing the following documents:

• Valid Canadian international passport. It must still have an additional 3 months’ validity when your Germany Work visa expires. It must not be older than 10 years by the time of your departure from Germany. It must also have a minimum of 2 blank pages where your visa sticker will be affixed.
• Two application forms that have been completed and signed.
• Two passport-sized photographs that comply with German visa application photo guidelines.
• Evidence of paid Germany Work visa fees.
• Declaration of Accuracy of Information.
• Evidence of residence. To prove this, you must provide your utility bill and/or driver’s license.
• Proof of health insurance. Your German employer must issue you this certificate, and it must become valid from the day you begin your job.

• Cover letter. It must explain your reason for entering Germany, how long you intend to remain in the country, etc.
• Federal Employment Agency approval (if necessary).
• Evidence of clean criminal record. You must prove that you have not engaged in any criminal case while you are in Canada by providing a Police Certificate.
• Employment contract. It must state your job description, the salary for the job, etc.
• Evidence of qualification, such as mark sheets, diplomas certificates or other qualifications.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV). Your CV must be up-to-date and have to show your job experience and academic qualifications.
• Proof of accommodation.

Note that all the documents required for the various Germany Work visas must be in German or English. If your documents are in a foreign language, you must seek the services of a licensed translator to translate them into German and also ensure they are notarized.

Also, ensure that you provide accurate information in your application form and they align with the information in your documents. Failure to do so may result in a refusal of your Work visa application.

In Germany, degrees from universities or certificates of vocational education are regarded as equal to professional credentials when they are recognized. To be recognized, you must apply to the appropriate body.

Depending on the profession or level of education involved, various authorities are in charge of recognizing foreign professional qualifications. Regardless of your country of origin, your qualifications must be recognized if you wish to work in Germany in a regulated occupation.

This includes several jobs in the legal, healthcare, educational, engineering sector, etc. Before you are issued a visa to enter Germany for work purposes, your professional qualifications or the equivalence of your university degree must be recognized, even though most German occupations are not regulated.

Nonetheless, it is a fact that benefits all parties involved that professional credentials and college degrees are officially recognized as having equal value when it comes to job hunting and salary negotiations.