Global Expansion Resources | Germany
Germany Work Permits & Visas
Helping your business expand into Germany with specialist PEO services
Remain compliant with German visa laws and work permit requirements with the help of our expert Germany PEO services
Visas and work permits are incredibly vital documents which allow employees to work and live in a certain country. For this reason, employers must ensure that these documents are obtained when they are working on a worldwide scale. However, they are also one of the most challenging documents to acquire and can cost businesses time, resources and money in the process.
Even if your employee is not an European Union (EU) citizen, they are still able to live and work in Germany providing they meet the set eligibility criteria, which forms from a work and residence permit. Luckily, for EU citizens, the application process for both of these important permits can be done in a single application at the German Immigration Authority Office, known as the Ausländerbehörde. If your employee is a non-EU worker, they will also require a visa from a German Embassy or Consulate abroad.
With the help of our expert Germany PEO services, our team can assist you in securing work permits and visas for prospective employees within Germany. In doing so, you can still focus on expanding your business internationally, whilst ensuring your employees working in Germany have the correct work permits and visas. Read on to find out more information about German work permits and visas, and how our PEO services can help you manage each step of the process.
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Germany Expansion Advice
What are the types of German work visas?
If your employee is not part of the EU or the European Economic Area (EEA), a residence permit is required to work in Germany for more than 90 days. The most common residence permits include:
- Temporary residence permit – duration of this permit is determined by the length of employment contract, and can be extended depending on this.
- The EU Blue Card – similar to the temporary residence permit but is only available to highly-skilled workers and is valid for four years.
- Permanent settlement permit – allows permit holders to stay indefinitely.
It is essential that the correct visa is selected for each individual employee, as it will ensure that the application process runs as smoothly as possible. Additionally, failure to acquire the necessary work visas could result in hefty fines and imprisonment. This is where Germany PEO services come in to assist you in complying with complicated visa requirements.
What are the types of German work permits?
Depending on your employee’s qualifications and employment type, there are different types of German work permits, including:
- General Work Permit – applicable if your employee is suited to a job in Germany which could not have been filled by an EU national.
- Highly Skilled Worker Permit – applicable if your employee is a highly skilled worker with an abundance of experience and a high income.
- Work Permit for Freelancers – applicable if your employee is freelance or a self-employed individual who can prove they have prospective suppliers.
Knowing which type of work permit is necessary for your employee is an essential requirement when expanding your business into Germany. If the wrong work permit is applied for, this could cost your company valuable time and money trying to rectify the issue and detracts from the important task at hand.
How do I apply for a German work permit and visa?
Eligibility to work in Germany requires both a residence permit and a work visa if your employee is a non-EU national. Though this is not a requirement for EU/EEA citizens, they are still required to register themselves at their residents’ registration office.
For non-EU nationals needing a work visa, the process is as follows:
- Obtain a job offer based in Germany
- Check if a visa is required for long stays
- Find out where the visa application should be made
- Acquire all necessary documents
- Pay the the German employment work visa fee
- Attend the interview
- Wait for the response to your application
Non-EU or EEA residents applying for a residence permit also require a residence title to work in Germany as well as approval from the Federal Employment Agency (FEA). This approval can be granted from the Germany embassy or consulate in their native country or local immigration authorities within Germany.
It is important to note that only non-EU nationals of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the United States may apply for the necessary residence title after their arrival in Germany. Other parties must have this in place before entering the country. Failure to do so may result in complications and non-compliance, which is not what you need when trying to expand your company internationally.
The application process for a German work permit and visa is both complex and time-consuming, so it is advised that employers begin the application process in sufficient time before the employee is due to begin work.
How much does a German visa cost?
According to the Federal Foreign Office, the fee for visas can range from €75 to €80, depending on the visa type required. Visa fees need to be paid at the time of application, and should your employee’s application be denied or you have to withdraw the application, visa fees will not be reimbursed. As with all aspects of global business expansion and non-compliance, failure to comply in this area can result in unwanted fines.
Why use a PEO partner to obtain a German work permit and visa?
Applying for a German work permit and visa is not only a lengthy process, but also one which necessitates lots of resources – especially if it is not handled correctly and compliantly from the outset. Having to deal with issues along the way can interrupt the exciting expansion of your business into Germany.
Other key aspects of international business growth, including payroll, employment contracts, national insurance, tax and more also require important time and money in order to be handled compliantly. This is why our Germany PEO Services can help to alleviate the burdens which are tied to the global expansion of your business, meaning you can take more time to focus on other vital areas of your company.
To discuss how our specialists can assist you in your company’s expansion into Germany, contact our expert team today, or call our experts on +44 (0) 20 8129 6860 or email [email protected] to get started.
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