Destination overview
Germany
Explore the public immigration pathways, jurisdictions and responsible authorities AtlasCarta currently tracks for this destination.
16
public pathways
0
jurisdictions
Pathways
Immigration pathways in Germany
- Skilled WorkerOpen
EU Blue Card (Shortage Occupation / Recent Graduate)
For non-EU professionals in a shortage occupation, recent graduates, or qualifying IT specialists, at the reduced 2026 salary threshold.
View pathway → - Skilled WorkerOpen
EU Blue Card (Standard)
For non-EU professionals with a recognized university degree and a qualifying job offer, at the general 2026 salary threshold.
View pathway → - FamilyOpen
Family Reunification Visa (Minor Child)
For the non-EU minor child of a sponsor with a qualifying German residence status to join them in Germany.
View pathway → - FamilyOpen
Family Reunification Visa (Spouse of a German Citizen)
For the non-EU spouse of a German citizen to join them in Germany.
View pathway → - FamilyOpen
Family Reunification Visa (Spouse of a Non-German-Citizen Resident)
For the non-EU spouse of a third-country national holding a valid German residence permit to join them in Germany.
View pathway → - Business InvestorOpen
Freelance / Self-Employment Visa (§21 AufenthG)
For non-EU freelancers (Freiberufler) or self-employed founders (Selbständige) with a genuine German business case.
View pathway → - WorkOpen
Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) Card
For managers, specialists, or trainees transferring within the same corporate group to a German branch.
View pathway → - StudyOpen
Language Course Visa (§16f AufenthG)
For non-EU nationals to attend an intensive German language course for up to 12 months.
View pathway → - WorkOpen
Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)
A 1-year job-seeker residence permit, scored on a 6-point grid covering qualification, experience, language, and age.
View pathway → - WorkOpen
Post-Study Job Search Permit (§20 AufenthG)
For graduates of a German higher education institution to stay up to 18 months to find skilled employment.
View pathway → - Skilled WorkerOpen
Skilled Worker Visa (Academic, §18b AufenthG)
For non-EU professionals with a university degree and a matching job offer paid at the customary local wage.
View pathway → - Skilled WorkerOpen
Skilled Worker Visa (Vocational, §18a AufenthG)
For non-EU professionals with a recognized vocational qualification and a matching job offer paid at the customary local wage.
View pathway → - StudyOpen
Student Visa (§16b AufenthG)
For non-EU students admitted to a German higher education institution.
View pathway → - StudyOpen
Vocational Training Visa (Ausbildung, §16a AufenthG)
For non-EU nationals to complete a state-recognized dual vocational training program (Ausbildung) in Germany.
View pathway → - WorkOpen
Working Holiday Programme (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, Uruguay)
For young citizens of Germany's ten standard Working Holiday Programme partner countries to live and work in Germany for up to 12 months.
View pathway → - WorkOpen
Working Holiday Programme (Republic of Korea)
For young Korean citizens to live and work in Germany for up to 12 months, at Korea's own confirmed wider age bracket.
View pathway →