German Visa Pathways
Find the right path to Germany for your background, qualifications, and goals.
Visas Popular Among Young People
Au Pair Visa
Visum für Au-Pair-Aufenthalte · §19c Abs. 1 AufenthG
Live with a German host family for 6–12 months, learn German, and use it as a stepping stone to an Ausbildung or university place.
Voluntary Service Visa — FSJ / BFD
Visum für Freiwilligendienste · §19c Abs. 1 AufenthG
Come to Germany on a paid voluntary placement, learn German, and build towards a longer-term pathway — available at all ages.
Ausbildung Visa
Visum zur Berufsausbildung · §16a AufenthG
Complete a paid vocational apprenticeship in Germany — earn while you train and graduate with a Europe-wide recognised qualification.
Apprenticeship Seeker Visa
Visum zur Suche eines Ausbildungsplatzes · §17 AufenthG
Come to Germany to search for an Ausbildung place before you have secured one — for those under 35 with B1 German.
German Language Study Visa
Visum zum Spracherwerb · §16f AufenthG
Attend an intensive German language course and work up to 20 hours per week — a popular first step before Ausbildung, university, or a skilled worker visa.
Student Visa
Aufenthaltserlaubnis zum Studium · §16b AufenthG
Study at a German state university — tuition-free. Hundreds of programmes in English. Work part-time and stay 18 months after graduation to find a job.
Visas for Job Seekers
Opportunity Card — Academic
Chancenkarte (Akademisch) · §20a AufenthG
University graduates can enter Germany for up to one year to search for full-time work in their profession — no job offer required.
Opportunity Card — Vocational / Points System
Chancenkarte (Punktesystem) · §20a AufenthG
Holders of a vocational or academic qualification can enter Germany for up to one year to job search — qualifying via a points system if not yet fully recognised.
Voluntary Service Visa — FSJ / BFD
Visum für Freiwilligendienste · §19c Abs. 1 AufenthG
A structured entry route that lets you live and work in Germany, learn the language, and transition into employment or training from within the country.
Apprenticeship Seeker Visa
Visum zur Suche eines Ausbildungsplatzes · §17 AufenthG
Arrive in Germany and meet Ausbildung employers in person — with 9 months to secure a training contract before converting your permit.
Trial Employment (Probearbeit)
Probearbeit · §15 BeschV
Work with potential employers for up to two weeks per employer on a trial basis — available to Opportunity Card holders and others, with no limit on the number of trials.
Recognition Visa — Qualification Measure
Visum zur Anerkennung ausländischer Berufsqualifikationen · §16d Abs. 1 AufenthG
Your qualification has been partially recognised in Germany — this visa lets you complete the remaining measures on German soil to achieve full recognition.
Visas for Those Who Have Found an Employer From Abroad
Skilled Worker Visa — Academic
Fachkräfteeinwanderung (Akademisch) · §18b AufenthG
For university graduates with a recognised degree and a concrete job offer in Germany — no fixed minimum salary for most applicants.
Skilled Worker Visa — Vocational Training
Fachkräfteeinwanderung (Berufsausbildung) · §18a AufenthG
The primary route for trade professionals — electricians, nurses, mechanics and more — with a recognised vocational qualification and a job offer.
EU Blue Card
Blaue Karte EU · §18g AufenthG
Germany's premium visa for highly qualified professionals — one of the fastest routes to permanent residency, with strong family rights from day one.
IT Specialist Visa
Visum für IT-Fachkräfte mit praktischer Berufserfahrung · §19c Abs. 2 AufenthG
For experienced IT professionals without a formal degree — Germany's dedicated route based purely on practical IT experience.
Visa for Healthcare Professionals
Visum für Gesundheitsfachkräfte · §18a / §18b / §16d AufenthG
Three distinct routes for nurses, doctors, pharmacists and care workers — depending on where you are in the qualification recognition process.
Recognition Partnership Visa
Anerkennungspartnerschaft · §16d Abs. 3 AufenthG
Introduced March 2024: start working in Germany immediately with your employer while your foreign qualification is being formally recognised.
Visa for Academics and Researchers
Visum für Wissenschaftler und Forscher · §18d AufenthG
For researchers and scientists with a hosting agreement at a recognised German institution — no Federal Employment Agency approval required.
Self-Employment and Freelancer Visa
Visum zur Selbständigkeit / Freiberuflichen Tätigkeit · §21 AufenthG
Two routes for those working for themselves — freelance professionals (Freiberufler) and commercial business owners (Selbständige).