Free guides · Verified against official sources
Every route to working in Germany,
explained step by step.
Five official visa routes lead to a job in Germany. These guides cover the current 2026 requirements, salary thresholds and the exact application steps — every figure verified against make-it-in-germany.com, the German government's official skilled-migration portal. No consultancy fees. No outdated numbers.
Free tool
Chancenkarte Points Calculator
9 questions, instant score against the official 2026 criteria — do you reach the 6 points for Germany's Opportunity Card?
Calculate my points →
EU Blue Card
For academics with a qualifying job offer — the fastest route to permanent residence.
Read the guide →
Work visa for qualified professionals — academic (§18b)
The standard skilled-worker visa for university graduates with a job offer.
Read the guide →
Work visa for qualified professionals — vocational (§18a)
For skilled workers with vocational training instead of a university degree.
Read the guide →
Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)
Move to Germany to look for a job — no job offer needed, points-based.
Read the guide →
Visa for recognition of foreign qualifications
Come to Germany while your foreign qualification gets recognised.
Read the guide →
Will you qualify? Check all 5 German visa routes in 2 minutes.
Job-Lens AI scores your profile against every route — Blue Card, skilled-worker visas, Chancenkarte and recognition visa — and shows what you're missing. Free to start.
Content verified as of 28 July 2026. Immigration rules change — each guide links directly to its official source so you can double-check everything.