Numerous job opportunities and impressive growth prospects lure skilled workers. The German labour market has a high demand for professionals, especially for IT professionals, scientists and engineers, healthcare workers, researchers and more.
The German government introduced the Germany Job Seeker Visa in 2012 to invite global talent into the country. With the Germany Job Seeker Visa, you can easily make your dream come true. It gives you time to find a job, after which you can apply for permanent residency.
Read on to know more about the Germany Job Seeker Visa Costs and how to apply for one.
Who is the Germany Job Seeker Visa for?
The Germany Job Seeker Visa is a long-term visa. It allows you to stay in Germany for up to six months. The best part about this visa is that it lets you search for jobs while you stay in the country.
You have to meet certain requirements criteria to get the visa. (See below)
How to find a job in Germany?
You can choose one or more of the following to look for a job in Germany:
- Governmental institutions that post job vacancies: Federal Employment Agency, Make it in germany by Federal government
- Online job-search channels in Germany: EURES and Monster
- Local job portals in Germany
- Contact job-search agencies
Note: You cannot work immediately if you find a job in Germany with a Job Seeker Visa. You can only look for jobs.
Cost of a Germany Job Seeker Visa for Indians
Germany Job Seeker Visa Cost Table:
|
Germany Job Seeker Visa Cost (Approximate Figures) |
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|
Cost Type |
Fee in EURO |
Fee in INR |
|
Visa Fee (Subject to change) |
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|
Adults |
75 |
6,700 |
|
Minors 0-17 |
37.50 |
3,400 |
|
Funds Requirement (to be shown in the applicant Bank Account) |
4,500 |
4,50,000 |
|
Travel Health Insurance (one time premium for 6 months) |
150 |
15,000 |
|
ZAB Qualification Assessment fee (if foreign education is not equivalent to Germany) |
||
|
If you apply for a Statement of Comparability for the first time |
200 |
20,000 |
|
If it is not your first Statement of Comparability |
100 |
10,000 |
|
Other Expenses |
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|
Flight Tickets from India to Germany (per person) |
600 |
60,000 |
|
Other Expenses (like documents attestation, VFS charges etc.) |
50 |
5,000 |
|
Document verification (approx. minimum amount) |
130 |
13,000 |
|
Total Cost for a Germany Job Seeker Visa |
1 Lakh INR approx. (This excludes the Proof of funds requirement) |
|
|
Document verification charges |
||
|
New Delhi |
||
|
For two Union states of Punjab and Haryana or exclusively in the greater Delhi area |
400 |
40,000 |
|
For other Union states or in the Union states Punjab, Haryana and greater Delhi |
500 |
50,000 |
|
For remote areas* |
650 |
65,000 |
|
Bangalore |
||
|
Documents that were issued exclusively in the greater Bangalore area |
270 |
27,000 |
|
Certificates exclusively from the rest of Karnataka |
340 |
34,000 |
|
Documents from Kerala |
400 |
40,000 |
|
Other areas (Kerala & Karnataka) |
470 |
47,000 |
|
Kolkata |
||
|
Kolkata, District: 24-Parganas (South & North), and District Howrah and Hooghly |
130 |
13,000 |
|
Other Districts in West Bengal |
160 |
16,000 |
|
Darjeeling and Kalimpong Districts |
175 |
17,500 |
|
Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar |
190 |
19,000 |
|
Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland |
220 |
22,000 |
|
Areas outside aforesaid Jurisdiction |
315 |
31,500 |
|
Chennai (All districts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu & Puducherry ) |
470 |
47,000 |
|
Mumbai (All districts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and the Union Territories of Daman and Diu) |
700 |
70,000 |
Note:
- The visa fee can change at any time. Keep into account that it is a non-refundable payment. Also, the amount in INR can vary depending on the conversion rate.
- The verification is done by the Embassy or a Consulate General. The verification process takes 8 to 12 weeks.
- The cost of verification can be around INR 2,000 to INR 40,000, depending on documents origin and complexity.
Eligibility Criteria
There are various eligibility requirements that you must fulfill. These are:
- Age: You must be at least 18 years of age.
- Educational Qualification: You must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The degree can be from a German university. Or, it must meet the equivalent German standards.
- Work Experience: You must have work experience of at least five years.
- Proof of Funds: You must have sufficient funds to support your stay. It includes coverage of monthly expenses and health insurance. You must have at least 720 EUR (62,436.33 INR) per month.
The health insurance that you can opt for includes:
- Expat health insurance
- Private health insurance
- Public health insurance
Note:
Language Skill: Knowing German is not a compulsory requirement for a Germany Job Seeker Visa. However, having a good German language test result can significantly increase your chances of getting a visa.
Documents Required for the Germany Job Seeker Visa
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There are several required documents for the Germany Job Seeker Visa. Take a look at the list given below to know more.
- Two completely filled visa application forms
- Valid passport
- One copy of the data page of the passport
- Three recent passport-size pictures (It must be as per the biometric specifications)
- Proof of educational qualification
- Proof of work experience
- Proof of fund via
- Bank statement
- Blocked bank account
- Verpflichtungserklärung: It is a formal obligation letter from your sponsor in Germany.
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of health insurance
- Cover letter explaining your purpose, course of action, and duration of stay. You must also address future plans, in case you get the job
- Personal CV containing education and previous employment details
- Proof of personal status (if applicable)
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Cash or demand draft for document verification
- Confirmation of payment of visa fees
- Police and medical clearance certificates
Note: The German consulate can ask for additional documents if needed. Also, you must prepare three visa application sets with the documents mentioned above.
How to apply for a Germany Job Seeker Visa?
Once you have collected the documents required, the final step is to fill out the visa application form.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for the visa.
- Complete the German Job Seeker Visa application form
- Book a visa interview appointment
- Compile all the required documents for the visa
- Attend the interview at the nearest embassy or consulate
- Pay the German Job Seeker Visa fees
The interview at the German embassy will determine whether you will receive the German Job Seeker Visa.
Prepare a good CV and an impressive application letter for finding employment after receiving the Germany visa. Also start developing contacts and networking opportunities with potential employers.
Remember, you will not be able to work in Germany with the job seeker visa. However, when you are able to find a job in Germany you can apply for a residence visa or German work permit.
Need assistance with your visa application?
Processing time for a Germany Job Seeker Visa
The estimated time for processing the Germany Job Seeker Visa is four to six weeks. However, the time period can vary depending on several factors.
Can Germany's Job Seeker Visa be extended?
No, you cannot apply for an extension of the Germany Job Seeker Visa. You have to go back to your home country. But, you can re-apply for the visa.
Can you work on the Germany Job Seeker Visa?
You are not allowed to work with the Germany Job Seeker Visa. If you get a job, you can apply for an Employment Residence Permit or the EU Blue Card.
The Employment Residence Permit: After you get the job, you must apply for the German Employment Visa. In the majority of the cases, the employers sponsor the applicant. But, if that is not the case, you will have to support yourself.
With the Employment residence permit or temporary residence permit, you can work and live in Germany. After five years with the employment visa, you can apply for a permanent residence permit. Moreover, you can also opt for the Family Reunion Long Term Visa.
The EU Blue Card: To get the EU Blue Card, you must have a job offer. The annual salary must be at least 44,800 EUR (38,86,355.20 INR). You can apply for the Permanent residence permit after 33 months of getting the EU Blue Card.
Note: Submit German language test results for the B1 level. It will aid you in obtaining the permanent residence permit after 21 months.
Other Important FAQs
Do you need the Germany Job Seeker Visa?
You must determine if you need the Germany Job Seeker Visa. It depends on your nationality. You will not need the German visa if you are a citizen of:
- Switzerland
- EEA (European Economic Area)
- EU (European Union)
What are the most in-demand jobs in Germany in 2020?
The most in-demand jobs in Germany in 2020 are:
- Engineering Field
- Medical Field
- Opportunities in the MINT sector (Mathematics, Information technology, Natural sciences, and Technology)
- Retail sales industry
- Industrial mechanics
- Geriatric nurse
What professions are accepted by German embassy?
The German embassy allows only the professions for Jobseeker Visa that are sanctioned by the national visa authority of the country. The German embassy has listed out these jobs.
- Mechanical, Electrical, civil and Automobile engineering.
- Software Developers, Internet Manager, Data Analysis and more segments of IT engineering.
- Doctor, Nursing, Pharmaceutical and other medical jobs.
- Science and Mathematics professionals
What are the visa-exempt countries for the Germany Job Seeker Visa?
The visa-exempt countries for the Germany Job Seeker Visa are:
- New Zealand
- Canada
- Australia
- USA
- South Korea
- Japan
- Israel
Germany falls under the Schengen area of Europe. No national visa is required for the countries coming under this area.
Where can you apply for a German Visa for jobseekers?
For people from visa exempt countries, there is a visa-free period of 90 days. You need to go to the immigration office in Germany and apply for the German job seeker visa there.
- People from European countries do not require a visa. They can live and work in Germany without a visa.
- For people from other countries, a work visa can be applied through a German Embassy in their own country.
Do I need to apply for a job seeker visa before arriving in Germany?
If you are from an EU country you can gain work experience in Germany without a visa. If you are from Canada, South Korea, Australia, UK, Japan, USA or Israel, you can apply for the visa before or after arriving in the country. For other countries, the application for transit visa and any other visa has to be made before arrival.
What are the required documents to apply for a work permit/work visa in Germany?
Here is what you will need to apply for a work permit or work visa in Germany.
- Valid passport from your home country
- No history of criminal record
- Minimum B1 German language proficiency
(For Blue Card & Permanent Residence Permit)
- German health insurance
- Pass the health checkups
- Financial stability
- Job offer from the employer
Can I visit Germany with a Schengen Visa?
Yes, you can. Since Germany as an EU member state is also a member of the Schengen area, you can enter Germany as a Schengen Visa holder.
Can I convert my German student visa into a work visa?
No. Student visa type in Germany cannot be converted into a job seeker visa or a work visa. However, you will get 18 months to stay back in the country after completing a degree there. This grace time is given to international students to look for jobs.
Do I need travel insurance to go to Germany?
Yes. You will require European travel insurance to visit Germany. You’ll also have to choose between single-trip or multi-trip policies. It is good to go for business travel insurance if you are travelling to Germany for work purposes.
Conclusion
Germany is one of the most powerful nations in the European Union. The quality of life coupled with the prospect of a better future appeals to the professionals. There are numerous job opportunities that you can search for with the Germany Visa.
Cost of a Germany Job Seeker visa: 80 euro (approx. INR 7071.69)
If you dream of working overseas, then there is no better place than Germany. But, the complexities of the visa might trouble you. In that case, it is better to approach the visa consultants and chart out a secure pathway.
Our visa experts always strive to ensure our clients that the trust and confidence they’ve put in us is in the right place, at every step of the way. Feel free to contact us to make an appointment.
