EU Blue Card gives you access to work and live in EU member states and Schengen zone. It is a combination of work and residence permit. All EU member states (25 countries) except Denmark, UK and Ireland give this facilities to professionals from all around the world to apply for this program.
Exactly this program was started in Europe in 2011, a demand-driven, residence and work permit. Till now, professionals from all around the world have successfully gained this opportunity to settle here in Europe. Alone Germany among other EU states has solely given 65,404 EU Blue Cards from 2014 to 2017. Germany leads the field among all EU countries when it comes to issuing EU Blue Cards. It issued 84.0 percent of all EU Blue Cards that were granted EU wide in 2016. France (3,6 %) and Poland (3,2 %) took second and third place, respectively. Indians, Chinese, Turkish and Russian professionals have so far got the most EU Blue Card among all other Non-EU countries.
Blue Card program is a merit-based system; interpreting a person with ‘merits’ as one who received adequate education or, through professional experience possesses sought-after skills. Though this program covers many features but the best are that it is non points based program to apply for. So you don’t need to worry about specific points lacking even if you have performed good in other CV credentials. The other best feature is that you can apply through two basic streams: with high qualification or through professional work experience (ideally more than 5 years) with associate degree etc.
In order to be eligible for a European Blue Card candidates must have:
Once you get a job in the labor market of a country of Europe, you will have to apply in that country for the visa.
Your job offer will only be eligible for an EU blue card visa application if the employer pays you a salary of at least 1.5 times the average gross salary of the respective country. This is a ‘rule of thumb’. Exceptions exist, e.g. MINT professions (Mathematics / Information technology / Natural sciences/ Technology) are paid at least EUR 40000 (2019) annually in Germany. Please do not each EU member state has had its own salary threshold for EU blue card.
The following section provides answers to the most important questions concerning the EU blue card.
1. Who can apply for the EU blue card?A foreigner, a citizen of a non-EU- country, can apply for the EU blue card if
a) he or she has a German or an accredited foreign or a university degree that is comparable to a German one.
b) he or she has a working contract with a gross annual compensation of at least €50.800 (4.134 Euros per month), a contract in the so-called shortage occupation (scientists, mathematics, engineers, doctors and IT- skilled workers) with the amount of €39.624 (3302 Euros per month).
2. Does a foreigner need to apply for the EU blue card before he enters the country?Yes. The journey into Germany complies with the general entry rules. Therefore, a citizen of a non-EU-country needs to apply for the EU blue card before his entry into Germany. The German representation embassy abroad is responsible in each case.
3. How long is the blue card valid for?The EU blue card is at first valid for 4 years. If the working contract covers a period of less than 4 years, meaning it is limited, the EU blue card will be valid for the time of the working contract plus 3 months.
It can be extended or establishment permission can be given.
4. When can the owner of a blue card qualify for a permanent right of residence?Foreigners who own the EU blue card can apply for permanent residence after 33 months. If they have German language knowledge at level B1 then they can apply earlier after 21 months (19a, passage 6, law of residence).
5. Can the EU card become invalid if a person stays in a non-EU country for a longer time?Owners of the EU blue card can stay out of the EU for up to 12 months without losing the right of staying in Germany or the EU.
6. Can owners of the EU blue card move to another EU country?Owners of the EU blue card have the right, after having stayed in Germany for 18 months, to move to another country of the EU.
7. Will the duration of stay in another state of the EU be considered concerning the permanent right of residence?If the foreigner has already stayed in another EU-member state with the EU blue card, this will be considered concerning the permanent right of residence in Germany.
8. Is it necessary to carry out a visa procedure to move around in the EU?If the foreigner wants to move on in the EU, he / she can be sure that in almost all EU member states a visa is not necessary. The application can be made at home. In Germany the application must be made within one month after entering Germany.
9. Is a priority check carried out? Are members of the German job market treated better?Check of priority means that a check will be done to see whether German employees are potential candidates for the job. Such a check is done within the salary borders. But there will be a check of the working conditions. If a salary of at least € 39.624 will be paid there will be a priority check for non- shortage occupations, so the EU blue card can be given.
10. Can relatives of the EU blue card owners work without limits in Germany?Relatives of the owners of the EU blue card can work without delay and without limits in Germany.
11. Do spouses need to have proof of German language knowledge?The spouse is not required to have proof of German language knowledge. Even simple knowledge of the German language is not necessary for marriage partners.
The first step towards a successful Germany working visa application is getting an evaluation of your case. Fill out our online immigration evaluation, and we will get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your eligibility and visa options.
