Last updated 4 August 2026, 00:00 (UTC+0)
Work visas to Germany
Employment visa
Travel purpose:
Study
, business
, work
, other
, long stay
, residence permit
, investment
, tourism
Work visas — what you need to know
For foreigners who wish to engage in gainful activities in Germany. This visa enables the applicant to travel to the country and apply for a residence permit at the local immigration office. It covers most types of activities, including volunteering, job seeking, internships, starting a business, or employment of qualified workers.
Visa validity period
from 3 months to 1 year
Fees
€37 - €75 (~$43 - ~$87)
Which work visas is best suited for you?
Internship visa
Eligible individuals
Post-graduate student, intern
Visa validity period:
from 3 months to 1 year
Duration of stay:
from 3 months to 1 year
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
€75 (~$87)
Work visa
Eligible individuals
Employee, worker
Visa validity period:
from 3 months to 1 year
Duration of stay:
from 3 months to 1 year
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
€75 (~$87)
Skilled worker visa with professional training
Eligible individuals
Skilled worker, professional
Visa validity period:
from 3 months to 1 year
Duration of stay:
from 3 months to 1 year
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
€75 (~$87)
Visa for traveling to work as researcher, visiting scholar, and research fellow
Eligible individuals
Researcher, visiting scholar, research fellow
Visa validity period:
from 3 months to 1 year
Duration of stay:
from 3 months to 1 year
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
€75 (~$87)
Self-employed entrepreneur and startup business visa
Eligible individuals
Entrepreneur, self-employee
Visa validity period:
from 3 months to 1 year
Duration of stay:
from 3 months to 1 year
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
€75 (~$87)
Freelancer visa
Eligible individuals
Artist, self-employee, representative of liberal profession
Visa validity period:
from 3 months to 1 year
Duration of stay:
from 3 months to 1 year
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
€75 (~$87)
Driver visa
Eligible individuals
Professional driver
Visa validity period:
from 3 months to 1 year
Duration of stay:
from 3 months to 1 year
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
€75 (~$87)
Job seeker visa
Eligible individuals
Candidate recognized as skilled worker without job offer
Visa validity period:
from 3 months to 1 year
Duration of stay:
from 3 months to 1 year
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
€75 (~$87)
Au-pair visa
Eligible individuals
Au-pair participant, housekeeper, nanny
Visa validity period:
from 3 months to 1 year
Duration of stay:
from 3 months to 1 year
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
€75 (~$87)
Volunteer visa
Eligible individuals
Volunteer, charity worker
Visa validity period:
from 3 months to 1 year
Duration of stay:
from 3 months to 1 year
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
€37 - €75 (~$43 - ~$87)
Religious visa
Eligible individuals
Priest, monk, representative of clergy
Visa validity period:
from 3 months to 1 year
Duration of stay:
from 3 months to 1 year
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
€37 - €75 (~$43 - ~$87)
Professional sports visa
Eligible individuals
Sportsman, athlete, trainer, coach
Visa validity period:
from 3 months to 1 year
Duration of stay:
from 3 months to 1 year
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
€37 - €75 (~$43 - ~$87)
Working holiday program visa
Eligible individuals
Student, worker, foreign young citizen
Visa validity period:
from 3 months to 1 year
Duration of stay:
from 3 months to 1 year
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
€75 (~$87)
Visa for recognition of professional qualifications
Eligible individuals
Person improving professional qualifications
Visa validity period:
from 3 months to 1 year
Duration of stay:
from 3 months to 1 year
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
€75 (~$87)
Work visa within recognition partnership
Eligible individuals
Worker improving professional qualifications
Visa validity period:
from 3 months to 1 year
Duration of stay:
from 3 months to 1 year
Number of entries:
multiple-entry
Consular fee:
€75 (~$87)