Employment in Germany
Visa Needed?
All persons who wish to seek employment in Germany are required to obtain a residence permit in the form of a visa. Where needed, a work permit will be included in the visa issued for this purpose.
How to apply?
Citizens of Japan, Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United States of America as well as EU citizens may apply for their residence permit for work purposes after entering Germany without a visa. Citizens of other countries are required to apply and obtain a visa for work purposes prior to entry (an option also open to Japan citizens) at the German Embassy in Tokyo.
You have to submit your application in person. Upon submission of all required documents the application will be forwarded to the Aliens' Authority (Ausländeramt) responsible for your intended place of residence in Germany. Applications take about 1-3 months to be processed.
After the application has been approved by the Aliens' Authority and –if applicable- by the Federal Employment Office, the Embassy will issue a residence permit in the form of a visa, which will include the authorisation to work in Germany.
Scientists holding a scholarship by a German scientific organization may be granted a visa within a few days by the Embassy.
| Required Documents |
|---|
| fully completed application form (pdf file)and declaration in duplicate |
| one passport photograph (strict requirements, see details) |
| valid national passport and two copies |
| additional for non-Japanese citizens: original of valid Japanese alien registration card and one copy |
| employment contract or letter of intent from your future employer in Germany and one copy |
| Visa fee |
Please note: In individual cases, you may be required to provide additional documents.
Visa Declaration [pdf, 157,99k]
Visa Photo Examples [pdf, 550,79k]
Please Note: Although the information on this website has been prepared with utmost care, we can not accept any responsibility for inaccuracies contained herein.
