IT specialists — National visa (long-stay)

From Auswärtiges Amt

“The visa decision is made by the German consular post in Vietnam. This visa category typically requires the consent of the foreigners-authority responsible for your future work location; a Vorabzustimmung from the Federal Employment Agency or the responsible foreigners-authority materially shortens processing. EU Blue Card for IT specialists: an EU Blue Card is issued where the following conditions are met: in the last seven years you have acquired at least three years of practical professional experience at university level; that experience qualifies you for the intended employment in Germany and that employment is appropriate to your qualifications; the employment relationship is for at least 6 months; your gross annual salary exceeds the threshold of 41,041.80 EUR (2024). Note: applicants aged 45 and over must show adequate retirement provision. Suitable evidence of old-age security (e.g. real estate, securities, insurance) must be presented already at the time of application.”

— Federal Foreign Office of Germany · German diplomatic missions

What you need

You must show a concrete job offer with a task description and gross annual salary; the Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis (employer's declaration of the employment relationship) in original, completed by your future employer; proof of professional experience in the IT sector (employment references, employer confirmations, where available a printout from the social-insurance app, and any IT-related vocational or university diplomas); a tabular CV; a passport; and travel medical insurance until you start work. A Vorabzustimmung from the Federal Employment Agency or the responsible foreigners-authority materially shortens processing.

Checklist

Application and identity

Application form for national visas, completely filled out and signed by the applicant (online application form „VIDEX") *
Two recent biometric passport photos (45 mm x 35 mm) (photo specifications template). Please glue only one photo onto the application form and bring the second loose *
Valid passport (or a recognised substitute travel document) *

Curriculum vitae

Tabular and complete CV. In particular setting out your prior education and employment *

Work experience, job offer, and pre-approval

(Optional) Vorabzustimmung. If your employer has already obtained the consent of the Federal Employment Agency or the responsible foreigners-authority in Germany before the visa procedure begins, the consular post's processing time is materially shortened
Proof of professional experience. Submit employment references or employer confirmations covering your prior work in the IT sector. The proof must clearly show which tasks your respective work involved. Where available, also submit a printout from the social-insurance app with evidence of contribution periods. If you have completed vocational training or university studies in IT, please also submit those certificates *
Job offer. Employment contract or binding job offer with a task description, gross annual salary, and information on the language skills required *
Declaration of the employment relationship (Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis) in original. The form must be completely filled in by the future employer *

Medical insurance

Proof of adequate medical insurance for entry, valid from your intended entry date until you start work *