IT professionals have different employment-residence options depending on qualifications and the German job offer: the EU Blue Card, qualified employment under Sections 18a/18b, or the professionally experienced-worker route. Select the actual route before applying its qualification, experience and salary rules.
Confirm current fees and processing time with the competent German mission or local foreigners authority for the actual IT residence route and application location.
Confirm current fees and processing time with the competent German mission or local foreigners authority for the actual IT residence route and application location.
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Source-backed requirements
Eligibility
(1)IT Professional Experience
ConditionalThe three-years-within-seven experience alternative applies to the EU Blue Card IT branch without a formal qualifying degree. Other IT employment permits use their own qualification or experience rules; select and evidence the actual branch.
Verified official
Qualification
(2)IT Employment Contract
MandatoryProvide a concrete German job offer for the selected IT employment route.
Verified officialMinimum Salary Threshold
ConditionalApply the salary criterion of the actual chosen residence route. The EU Blue Card has its own minimum-salary rules; its threshold must not be treated as the universal rule for every IT employment permit. Check the current official branch conditions.
Verified official
Preparation
(1)Health Insurance
DocumentMandatoryProvide accepted health insurance from entry into Germany and appropriate coverage for employment/residence. Confirm bridging travel insurance and evidence with the competent mission.
Verified official
Application
(1)Visa Application
ConditionalIf a visa is required for the actual nationality, purpose and stay, follow the competent German mission's procedure. Use the Federal Foreign Office Visa-Navigator to identify the correct branch and applicable entry exemptions; a pre-entry embassy visa is not required in every case.
Verified official
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Immigration Documents & Forms
Source citations
Make it in Germany — Visa options for IT professionals
Make it in Germany (Federal Government portal)
Current federal Make it in Germany IT options page reviewed13October2026. Employment choices depend on qualification and concrete German job offer: EU Blue Card, recognised-qualified employment18a/18b, or professionally experienced workers. Three-years-in-seven is the degree-free IT Blue Card branch, not all IT employment. Page links Foreign Office Visa-Navigator and recognises visa-entry exceptions.
Make it in Germany — Visa application, entry exceptions and insurance
Make it in Germany — Federal Government portal
Entry requirements depend on nationality/purpose; EU/EFTA and privileged nationality rules differ. General identity/passport, livelihood and no-expulsion-ground checks; EUR75 standard long-stay visa fee with exceptions; health insurance from entry and mission-approved bridging cover. Appointment/processing waits vary.
Official links
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