Are you planning to move to Germany for better job prospects? You have made an excellent choice because Germany has the lowest unemployment rate in all of Europe. According to the census report of 2015, there was a 3.45% increase in the migrant population compared to the year 2010.
If we look at the trend of the population in Germany through the years (from 1990 to 2015), the future migrant population is only expected to rise further in terms of its numbers. If you are trying to work in Germany and want to find information about the Germany Job Seeker Visa, then you have come to the right place.
What is the Germany Job Seeker Visa Scheme?
The Germany Job Seeker Visa scheme is essentially a long-term residency permit. You are allowed to stay for a duration of six months to search for employment. At the end of six months, you are granted a Germany Work Visa if you have found a job. This permits you to stay in Germany and work.
What is the total cost involved in getting a job seeker visa for Germany?
The cost of the Germany Job Seeker Visa is about 75 to 80 Euros since it is a long-term residency visa for adults. There may be additional charges levied for verification of your documents.
What is the eligibility criteria of Germany Job Seeker Visa?
If you are considering to apply for the Germany Job Seeker Visa, then it is an excellent idea first to determine if you are eligible or not. The criteria are listed below:
- You must hold a graduate degree from a local or foreign university.
- You must have experience of five years (at least) in your field.
- You must have sufficient funds for the duration of your stay in Germany.
- You must have an accommodation for your stay.
- You must have medical insurance for the duration of your stay.
What is the process for applying for the German Job Seeker Visa?
If you are eligible for the visa, the next step is to begin the application process. The steps are listed below in sequential order.
- Determine whether you check all the boxes for the eligibility criteria.
- Collect all your required documents.
- Fill the visa application form carefully and submit it to the German Embassy office. Some countries have the option of an online application process along with scanned submission of the documents. Even then, it is recommended that you carry your documents with you during the interview.
- After submission, you are required to book your appointment. This is for an interview, and you need to book it as early as three months prior to the date of appointment.
- In the interview, your application form and documents will be scrutinized to determine whether or not you will be granted the Job Seeker visa.
What is the processing time to get the Germany Job Seeker Visa?
The German embassy or consulate takes about 4 to 6 weeks to process the visa application once it is approved. The entire process may take about 4 to 5 months. So, be prepared for everything.
What are the required documents you should prepare to support your eligibility in 2020?
The list of documents needed to support your eligibility include:
- Diploma of your degree from a local or foreign university that is acceptable
- Proof of experience at previous jobs
- Proof of adequate funds for the entire duration of your stay through a formal obligation letter by a sponsor residing in Germany or Bank account statement or Blocked bank account
- Proof of accommodation in Germany
- Proof of health insurance for the duration of your stay
Apart from these documents, you will need the following documents for the visa application process:
- Valid passport (issued in the past ten years and valid for a period of 12 months after the end of your stay)
- Copy of your passport’s data page
- Three copies of biometric photograph of specified size
- Letter explaining the purpose and objective of your visit, how you will achieve your aim of employment and a secondary career option should you be unable to find a job
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Proof of status in the home country including but not limited to the birth certificate, marriage certificate and additional documents in the English language
- Any other additional documents that are requested by the German embassy
Make sure you prepare two individual sets of these documents for a smooth application process.
What are the funds’ requirements required for the Job Seeker visa in Germany?
Since you will be staying in the country for a maximum of six months, you should have enough funds to sustain you until then. This may amount up to a minimum of 3 to 4 lakh Indian Rupees. You need to show at least this much in a bank account as proof of sufficient funds for the duration of your stay.
How difficult is it to get a job in Germany for Indians in 2020?
When you travel to a new place, it is always hard to adjust and find a stable job. Since our world is developing fast, there are many new job opportunities opening up. You can search for a job in Germany quite quickly through the Federal Employment Agency or through online job portals or even the local agencies. You need to time your visit according to the time when maximum job vacancies are available in your desired sector.
Does this visa help me to get the job contract in 6 months?
This visa does not, in any way, help you get a job directly. Having this visa does not guarantee you a job in Germany at all. You must actively seek out employment opportunities during your stay so that you can find a suitable one by the end of your Job Seeker visa. If you find a job, your visa will be changed to a Work permit. In case you are unable to find a job, you are required to return to your home country.
Can you extend your job seeker visa in Germany, if you did not find a job?
If you are unable to find a job by the end of the six months of the visa, you are not allowed to extend your visa at all. You will have to return to your home country and apply after an interval of three months.
Since you were unable to find a job for the first time, getting a second Job Seeker visa can be extremely hard unless you can convince the authorities that you have gained new skills that will aid in your employment.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has cleared all your doubts related to the Germany Job Seeker Visa. Going to a new country for a better job may seem daunting, but getting over the visa application process is just the first step. We wish you a bright career ahead in Germany!
