General information

A highly qualified and correspondently paid skilled worker can apply for a visa to work acc. to § 18g AufenthG.

This includes:

1. Skilled workers with a gross salary of over € 48,300 per year or € 4,025 per month who can provide evidence of a completed university degree that is recognized as equivalent to a German degree,
2. OR skilled workers with a gross salary of over € 43,759.80 per year or € 3,646.65 per month who have completed a university degree that is recognized as equivalent to a German degree and who work, for example, as an engineer, doctor or IT specialist. You can find a final list of occupations here,
3. OR IT specialists and IT managers with a gross salary of over € 43,759.80 per year or € 3,646.65 per month who have at least three years of professional experience in the field of information and communication technology within the last seven years before applying for a Blue Card visa.

You can find further information on the following website: www.make-it-in-germany.com.

To apply for a national visa, the following documents have to be provided by the applicant. Documents that are not presented either in German or English have to be submitted together with a translation into German or English by a certified translator.

Please note:

• Laminated documents are not accepted.
• You are required to submit one copy of every provided original document. Copies that are damaged or stapled are not accepted.
• Incomplete applications may be denied.

General documents needed:

• One completely filled and signed application form. Please use the VIDEX long term application form in order to speed up the application process and to reduce your waiting time.
• One recent biometrical passport photograph with a bright background (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm). The photo has to show the facial features from the chin to the hairline as well as the left and right half of the face: sample chart for passport photos
• A valid passport or other valid travel document as well as one copy of the first and all stamped pages. Please note that the passport/travel document has to be valid for at least three months after the end of the intended journey
• Ethiopian ID-Card or residence permit
• Civil birth certificate
• Pre-approval from the competent German employment authority OR pre-approval for the accelerated procedure for skilled workers of the competent foreigner’s authority (if necessary and available)
• Employer's declaration filled and signed by your employer: “Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis”
• Certificate of Recognition of the competent German state authority (for IT specialists: only if available):
  • KMK ZAB recognition with confirmation of equivalence to a German university degree
  • OR both Anabin excerpts on equivalency of the university (H+) AND of the degree (equivalent to the German university degree).
• All university degrees (for IT specialists: only if available)
• IT specialists: curriculum vitae AND proof of work experience: Job reference letters, payslips, training certificates, etc.
• Curriculum vitae in tabular form
• If applicable civil marriage certificate and civil birth certificate of children
• Proof of health insurance:
  • German statutory health insurance with indicated confirmation of the validity of the health insurance coverage from the date of entry
  • OR private health insurance company with indicated confirmation of the validity of the health insurance coverage from the date of entry, if the type and scope of health insurance coverage corresponds to that of a statutory health insurance,
  • OR incoming health insurance for the period between the arrival and start of employment subject to social security contributions, if the type and scope of health insurance coverage corresponds to that of a statutory health insurance
• Visa fees of €75 (payable in ETB at the Embassy’s exchange rate at the time of the application

Further Information on the visa application process

To speed up the process, we recommend having your employer apply for a pre-approval from the competent German employment authority (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) if it is necessary and to submit your visa application together with the pre-approval letter.

Alternatively, your employer in Germany can also submit an application for you in accordance with § 81a AufenthG (accelerated procedure for skilled workers) at the competent foreigners authority and then send you the preliminary approval of the foreigners authority (Fast Track Application).
You can also apply without a pre-approval of German authorities. Approval will then be obtained during the visa process, if necessary.

During the appointment, digital finger prints of all fingers will be taken.

Please find the Embassy's address here.

For questions beyond the detailed information provided on the website, please contact the visa section via the contact form.