By all means, please familiarize yourself with this visa category and its requirements HERE first. Then, please prepare your visa application as explained in this checklist.

At a glance, these are the main requirements you have to fulfill:

• You have a valid employment contract with a company in Germany.
• You hold a university degree that is recognized in Germany (either according to the anabin database or a Statement of Comparability).
• You fulfill ONE of the following:
  • Your yearly gross salary amounts to minimum €48,300 (as per 2025) OR
  • Your yearly gross salary amounts to minimum €43,759.80 (as per 2025) PLUS you have earned your university degree within the last three years OR
  • Your yearly gross salary amounts to minimum €43,759.80 (as per 2025) PLUS you are going to be employed in an understaffed profession (e.g. IT, STEM). A list can be found HERE.