The EU Blue Card – the best way to get settled in Germany. It offers numerous benefits and advantages to individuals seeking employment in this country. Whether you are a skilled professional or a recent graduate, obtaining an EU Blue Card can open doors to a world of opportunities. In this ultimate guide, I will delve into the details of applying for an EU Blue Card and provide you with all the information you need to succeed.
In this post, I will talk about my experience of converting the National visa to a German Blue card. Along the way I will share crucial information that I wished I had known before applying. I will also dive into finding suitable jobs, Rights and obligations of Blue card holders and common challenges and pitfalls. Also, if you prefer videos over reading material, then I would recommend watching the below YouTube video where I have covered several topics related to the Residence permit process, required documents and suitable time to initiate the application process.
Before moving further, I want to let you know that all the numbers, requirements and processes that I will be talking about in this post are related to Germany and may vary for other EU countries.
What is the EU Blue Card and the benefits?
First and foremost, let’s discuss the EU Blue Card. The EU Blue Card is a residence permit issued by member countries of the European Union. Its purpose is to attract highly skilled individuals with certain professions like Law, engineering and health etc from non-EU countries to live and work in the EU. Germany, being one of the largest economies in Europe, offers the EU Blue Card to individuals with exceptional qualifications and employment prospects. The Blue card comes with a lot of benefits that sets it apart from other types of permits. Let’s have a look –
- Your immediate family members like your spouse and children can accompany you to Germany. It should be noted that the new regulations on family reunification are expected to come into force from March 2024 that will allow your parents and parents-in-law to join you in Germany.
- Immediate family members can enjoy the same healthcare, education and social benefits. They can also work in any occupation.
- After 33 months of residence you will be eligible to apply for Permanent Residence. There is an express way to get it after 21 months, For that, you will have to know at least German level B1.
- You can travel freely within European countries. That means a travel visa would not be required if you want to visit France, Switzerland and other touristic countries.
- Your work conditions and salary will match the citizens of the same country.
- If you have already held an EU Blue Card in another EU Member State for at least 18 months, you can enter Germany on a visa-exempt basis in order to work. You will then have to apply for the EU Blue Card from the competent immigration authority within one month of entering the country.
Now that you know the benefits, you might be wondering and asking yourself – “How to get one?”. Well, everything starts from somewhere. If you want an EU Blue card, you will have to find suitable jobs that qualify for a Blue card.
Finding Suitable Job Opportunities in Germany
Finding jobs that qualify for EU Blue card is the first and crucial step. But the important question here is – “How to know if a job provides an EU Blue card?”. If you are already in Germany and want to apply for an EU Blue card then below websites pose a good chance of finding a job in the country.
- EURES – ec.europa.eu/eures
- Alumniportal-deutschland.org
- Euraxess.de
- Make-it-in-germany.com
- Bund.de
- Academics.com
- Obboerse.arbeitsagentur.de
These websites are recommended by the German ministry of Education and research and considered as great starting points in Job hunting. On the contrary, if you are not in Germany then your best bet is LinkedIn or Companies’ own career pages. Since the competition is global, you will have to prepare a solid Resume and cover letter to stand out in the crowd and get a chance to clear the screening phase of Job interview. Since without proper Resume content or cover letter your chances would be really slim. You can go through below videos if your resumes are getting rejected most of the time.
Tip: If you come into later category then keep this in mind before applying a job on LinkedIn or Job portals. Make sure job description mentions about visa sponsorship. That means they will cover up the expenses of National visa which will enable you to enter in Europe and let you work.
Trust me having a professional LinkedIn profile, Proper Resume and cover letter helps significantly in the pursuit of your dream Job. I learned it the hard way and I shared my experience in the above videos. Furthermore, learning the German language is highly beneficial as it opens more job prospects and enhances your integration into the German work culture. Following videos will help you to understand the 6 step process of getting a visa sponsored job in Germany.
Eligibility Criteria
Before applying for Job, it’s good to know whether you are eligible to get an EU Blue card or not. To be eligible for an EU Blue Card, you must meet certain minimum qualifications and educational requirements. First, let’s have a look at eligible professions for German Blue cards. You can know more about these professions on this website.
- IT Specialist
- Scientists and Mathematicians
- Doctors and Medical professionals
- Urban and traffic planning specialists
- Engineers, Architects and Interior designers
Next thing that you need to have is a higher educational degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD) recognized in Germany or an EU country where you are applying for Job. Then comes a work contract or Job offer that should highlight your position and salary being offered. At the time of writing this post the minimum salary that you need to be eligible, again depends on your profession –
- 45.552 € for Scientists, Mathematicians, Engineers, Doctors and IT professionals (also known as MINT professions)
- 46.530 € for applicants over 45 years of age
- 58.400 € for all other professions
So, to summarize this section, you must have a German recognized Higher educational degree, a work contract that satisfies salary requirements and an Eligible profession to apply for an EU Blue card.
Application process. How to apply?
Now that you know you are eligible and have a valid work contract, it’s time to initiate the Blue card process. There are again two scenarios.
- You are in your home country and got a job that enables you to apply for an EU Blue card.
- You are in Germany and got a Job that enables you to convert your permit into an EU Blue card.
You can not apply for the Blue card from outside Germany unless you are a citizen of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. You guys are lucky and can apply directly at the German Foreigner’s Authority. For others, a National visa and some other required documents to enter Germany and then you can apply for the Blue card. If you are wondering how to get a National visa then you refer to my other post How to apply for German national visa.
Once you are in Germany and settled in for a while, it’s time to gather documents needed for the application process.
Required documents
At the time of writing this blog, you need to have below documents.
- Two signed copies of the Application form.
- Valid passport with blank pages and minimum 15 months before the expiration. Copies of front and back pages that contain your name, photo and address.
- Work contract
- City registration document or Anmeldung
- Two photos of size 35mm x 45mm with white background and should not be older than 3 months.
- Proof of health insurance
- Educational degree
- Proof of work experience
- Occupation practice permit. For occupations which require an occupational license, such as medicine or law
After the documents, time to book an appointment at the local Ausländerbehörde (German Foreigner’s Authority). Head over to the German state service portal and look for available time slots. Since I was in Berlin, I went to this website https://otv.verwalt-berlin.de/ams/TerminBuchen. It’s really difficult to get desired time slots but keep trying and you will definitely get one. However, there is a shortcut to get an appointment. Ask your employer if they support the application process. In any case you must start the process at least six weeks before your current permit or National visa is going to expire.
EU Blue card fees depend on the country. For Germany it is 100 €. Once you have applied for the Blue card, it takes anywhere between 5 to 7 weeks to actually get the physical card.
Rights and Obligations of EU Blue Card Holders
As an EU Blue Card holder, you are entitled to certain legal rights and benefits. These include the right to work, equal treatment with EU citizens in terms of working conditions, and access to social security benefits. Additionally, understanding your tax obligations and pension contributions is crucial. Ensuring that you comply with these obligations will safeguard your rights and ensure your long-term financial stability. Moreover, the EU Blue Card can pave the way for permanent residency and even citizenship in Germany. This presents a fantastic opportunity for those looking to build a future in Europe.
The EU Blue Card not only benefits the primary cardholder but also has implications for their family members and dependents. Spouses and children can accompany the EU Blue Card holder to Germany with the appropriate visa requirements. Enrolling children in German schools and universities is an important consideration for families. Germany offers high-quality education, and ensuring a smooth transition for children will contribute to their successful integration. Furthermore, access to healthcare and social benefits for dependents is vital. Understanding the support systems available for your family will help them thrive in their new environment.
Common challenges and pitfalls
Up until now, I explained the process, benefits and obligations of a German Blue card. But there are certain challenges and pitfalls that might need to be dealt with. For example, all the bureaucratic hurdles can be frustrating and time-consuming. It is important to stay patient and seek professional guidance when faced with such obstacles. Language barriers and cultural integration difficulties can also pose challenges. Taking language courses and actively engaging with the local community can help overcome these barriers. Addressing professional recognition concerns is another aspect to consider. Researching the requirements for professional recognition in Germany and obtaining any necessary certifications will enhance your employment prospects.
There are also some limits as well. Like –
- You can not bring your parents with you on a Family reunion visa.
- If you are a self-employed, Freelancer or an Entrepreneur, you can not apply for an EU Blue card.
- The German Blue Card is issued for the duration of your work contract plus three months. The maximum duration it can be issued for is four years. If your contract ends before you are eligible for settlement, you have three months to look for another job and continue to live in Germany.
- You can not work with a German Blue card in other European countries. You will have to apply for the Blue card for that specific country after meeting certain criteria.
Conclusion
Applying for an EU Blue Card in Germany can be a life-changing opportunity. By understanding the steps and requirements involved, you can navigate the process with confidence. From gathering the necessary documents and preparing your application to relocating and settling in Germany, each step has its own significance. The benefits and opportunities that an EU Blue Card provides are immense, and with determination and perseverance, you can successfully obtain one
With that we came to the end. If you find this blog helpful then don’t forget to share with your friends and family. Till then take care and keep reading!!👋