Federal Republic of Germany
Germany visa processing times
8 visa routes, each with the typical decision window as published by Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). Click through for the source URL, priority-service notes, and the eligibility criteria that drive the timeline.
| Route | Typical window | 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 | 2026-04-20 |
| Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) Points-based residence permit allowing non-EU skilled workers to enter Germany to search for employment. | 4 weeks – 3 months | 2026-04-20 |
| Skilled Worker residence permit (§18a/§18b AufenthG) General sponsored work residence permit for qualified non-EU workers with a German job offer. | 4 weeks – 3 months | 2026-04-20 |
| 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Seeker visa (§20 AufenthG) Up to 6-month residence permit for qualified workers to seek employment in Germany (largely superseded by Chancenkarte).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 | 2026-04-20 |
| German Student residence permit Residence permit for international students enrolled at recognised German higher education institutions. | 4 weeks – 3 months | 2026-04-20 |
| Recognition Partnership (Anerkennungspartnerschaft) Residence permit allowing skilled workers to complete their qualification recognition while living and working in Germany. | 2 months – 4 months | 2026-04-20 |
| 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 | 2026-04-20 |
| Family reunion residence permit Residence permit for spouses and children of German residents or citizens. | 3 months – 1.0 years | 2026-04-20 |
Source authority: Make it in Germany — Official portal for skilled workers.