Germany Job Search Visa: How to Apply
Germany is one of the most prosperous countries in Europe, boasting of a thriving economy, high standard of living, and world-class infrastructure. It is also home to some of the top companies in the world, including Volkswagen, BMW, and Deutsche Bank. If you’re looking to build your career in Germany, you’ll need a job search visa to enter the country legally and look for work. In this article, we’ll take you through the process of applying for a Germany job search visa and answer some common FAQs about the same.
Eligibility Criteria for Germany Job Search Visa
Before you apply for a Germany job search visa, you need to fulfill the following eligibility criteria:
- You should be a citizen of a non-EU country
- You should hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or a German recognized qualification
- You should demonstrate that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay in Germany (at least €853 euros per month)
- You should have, at the time of application, sufficient knowledge of the German language (at least A1 level as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
- You should have travel health insurance that covers your entire stay in Germany
- You should not have any criminal record in your home country or in Germany
Steps to Apply for Germany Job Search Visa
Once you fulfill the eligibility criteria, you can apply for a Germany job search visa by following these steps:
Step 1: Gather Documents
The first step is to gather all the necessary documents for your visa application. These documents include:
- A valid passport
- A job seeker visa application form
- A recent passport-sized photograph
- Evidence of health insurance covering your entire stay in Germany
- Evidence of financial means to support yourself during your stay in Germany
- Evidence of your educational qualifications
- Evidence of German language proficiency
- A police clearance certificate from your home country and from Germany (if you’ve lived in Germany before)
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Once you have gathered all the necessary documents, you can submit your application to the German embassy or consulate in your home country. You can make an appointment online and visit the embassy or consulate in person to submit your application. You’ll need to pay a visa fee of €75 when you submit your application. Once your application is processed, you’ll be informed of the outcome and asked to collect your passport with the visa from the embassy or consulate.
Step 3: Travel to Germany and Look for Work
Once you have received your Germany job search visa, you can travel to Germany and start looking for work. You’ll have up to six months to find a suitable job. Once you have found a job, you can apply for a German work visa to continue working in the country.
FAQs
Q1: How long does it take to process a Germany job search visa?
A: It usually takes around 4-6 weeks to process a Germany job search visa. However, this time may vary depending on the number of visa applications received by the embassy or consulate and the complexity of your case.
Q2: Do I need to have a job offer to apply for a Germany job search visa?
A: No, you do not need to have a job offer to apply for a Germany job search visa. The purpose of the visa is to allow you to enter the country and look for work.
Q3: Can I extend my Germany job search visa?
A: No, you cannot extend your Germany job search visa. You’ll have up to six months to find a suitable job. Once you have found a job, you can apply for a German work visa to continue working in the country.
Q4: Can I work part-time on a Germany job search visa?
A: No, you are not allowed to work on a Germany job search visa. The purpose of the visa is to allow you to enter the country and look for work.
Q5: Can I bring my family to Germany on a job search visa?
A: No, you cannot bring your family members to Germany on a job search visa. If you want to bring your family members to Germany, you’ll need to apply for a family reunification visa once you have found a suitable job.
Q6: Do I need to know German to apply for a Germany job search visa?
A: Yes, you need to demonstrate that you have at least A1 level proficiency in German to apply for a Germany job search visa. This is because most companies in Germany require their employees to know German.
Q7: Can I apply for a Germany job search visa if I already have a job offer?
A: No, if you already have a job offer from a German company, you’ll need to apply for a German work visa instead of a job search visa.