Federal Republic of Germany
Germany visa processing times
How long does each Germany visa take? Below are the typical decision windows for all 8 routes we track, each sourced directly from Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). Click any route to see the full breakdown, including what drives the timeline and whether a priority service is available.
Quick facts: The fastest route is the EU Blue Card (Germany) at 4 weeks – 3 months. The slowest is the Family reunion residence permit at 3 months – 12 months.
| Route | Typical wait | Sponsor needed? | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU Blue Card (Germany) Work and residence permit for highly qualified non-EU professionals with a qualifying German job offer. | 4 weeks – 3 months | Yes | 2026-06-01 |
| Chancenkarte (Germany Opportunity Card) Points-based 1-year residence permit that lets non-EU skilled workers from any country move to Germany without a job offer to search for qualifying work. Six points or full qualification recognition required. | 4 weeks – 3 months | No | 2026-06-01 |
| Skilled Worker residence permit (§18a/§18b AufenthG) Sponsored work and residence permit for qualified non-EU workers from any country worldwide who have a German job offer and a recognised qualification. | 4 weeks – 3 months | Yes | 2026-06-01 |
| Job Seeker visa (§20 AufenthG) Up to 6-month residence permit for qualified workers to seek employment in Germany (largely superseded by Chancenkarte). | 4 weeks – 3 months | No | 2026-06-01 |
| German Student residence permit Residence permit for international students enrolled at recognised German higher education institutions. | 4 weeks – 3 months | Yes | 2026-06-01 |
| Recognition Partnership (Anerkennungspartnerschaft) Residence permit allowing skilled workers to complete their qualification recognition while living and working in Germany. | 2 months – 4 months | Yes | 2026-06-01 |
| Freelance / Self-employment residence permit (§21 AufenthG) Residence permit for self-employed workers and liberal professionals establishing a business in Germany. | 2 months – 4 months | No | 2026-06-01 |
| Family reunion residence permit Residence permit for spouses and children of German residents or citizens. | 3 months – 12 months | No | 2026-06-01 |
Source authority: Make it in Germany — Official portal for skilled workers. Processing times are indicative and change without notice — always confirm before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest Germany visa to get?+
Among the 8 routes we track, the EU Blue Card (Germany) has the shortest published decision window at 4 weeks – 3 months. Processing times are indicative and depend on case complexity, so always confirm the current figure on Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).
Which Germany visa takes the longest to process?+
Of the routes we track, the Family reunion residence permit carries the longest published window at 3 months – 12 months. Permanent-residence and family routes typically sit at the slower end, while short-term and points-tested routes tend to be quicker.
Are these Germany processing times official?+
Yes. Every window on this page is the figure published by Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), shown with the date it was last checked. The figures are indicative rather than guarantees, and the linked source is authoritative on the day you apply.