How to Apply for Germany Job Seeker Visa
If you want to further your career in Germany, you can start by applying for Germany job seeker visa. This type of visa allows you to stay in Germany for up to six (6) months while looking for a job.
Germany is a beautiful country with a lot of immigrants. The country also has high growth and low unemployment rate, making it a perfect location for job seekers. Germany also about 3 million foreign workers employed and this tends to increase more and more.
What’s more, the country also offers free education to its resident and is considered to be a high and attractive living and working environment. You can check our guide on how to enroll in Germany tuition-free university.
Contents
What is a Job Seeker Visa?
Germany job seeker Visa is a long term residence permit that allows you to move to the country and in search of a job for a period of six (6) months. If at the end of the six months you have found a place of employment, you will be given the Germany work visa or a Germany work permit and you will be allowed to work and live there.
Please note that having a job seeker visa does not allow you to start working immediately in Germany. It only means that you can visit the country and look for a job during your stay.
In order to obtain a job seeker visa for Germany, you need the following:
- Be eligible to apply
- Compile all the necessary documents
- Fill out an application form and book your visa appointment
Eligibility of Applicants
There are several criteria that you need to fulfill to be eligible to apply for the Germany job seeker visa:
- You need to have a Bachelor or Master’s Degree from a German university or an equivalent foreign degree
- You must also have a minimum of 5 years of experience in your related field of study
- Need to show proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay during the time you are in Germany
- Have travel or medical insurance for your entire stay in Germany or until you get your Work Permit
If you meet all the criteria, then eligible to apply for Germany job seeker visa.
Documents Required for Germany Job Seeker Visa
Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, then you need to prepare your documents to support your visa application. You must attach an accurate and complete set of required documents to ensure that your application is not rejected on grounds of not fulfilling the job seeker visa requirements.
The documents needed along with your Germany Job Seeker Visa application are as follows:
- A valid passport (issued in the past 10 years and valid for at least 12 months after your scheduled return)
- A copy of your passport’s data page
- 3 passport pictures based on biometric specifications
- A cover letter where you explain the objective of your visit, how you plan to find employment, and your alternative career plans if you cannot find a job
- Diploma of your degree (or any other proof of academic qualification from a German or non-German university) as well as any certificates of previous work experience
- Your detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Proof of accommodation in Germany (where you will be staying during your visit)
- Proof of financial means to cover the costs for the time of your stay in Germany by showing one of the following documents:
- Verpflichtungserklärung (formal obligation letter) by a sponsor living in Germany if any
- Bank account statement, or
- Blocked bank account.
- Proof of personal status in your home country, such as birth certificate, marriage certificate, and others (translated in English)
- Proof of your health insurance
You are required to prepare two sets of the above-mentioned documents and take it to the visa application center.
Importantly, submitting all of these documents doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be granted a Germany job seeker visa. The decision to approve your application lies entirely with the consular officer.
READ ALSO:Â How to Apply for Germany Visa in Ghana.
How to Apply for Germany Job Seeker Visa
Once your documents are ready, visit the German Embassy office to obtain the job seeker visa application form.
After you have duly completed and submitted the application form, you’ll be booked for an appointment for an interview. Your background and documents, application form, and interview will determine whether you will be granted the Germany job seeker visa.
In conclusion, if you are determined to find employment in Germany, make sure to follow these steps, prepare a good application, and you should be on your way to making contact and networking with potential employers in Germany.
Importantly, note that you cannot work in Germany with a job-seeker visa. Once you have found a job, you must change it to a residence permit for employment