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ICT-Karte — Intra-Corporate Transfer Directive
GermanyGermany•Europe
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ICT-Karte — Intra-Corporate Transfer Directive

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

1–3 months

Estimated Cost

EUR €175

Stay Duration

3 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Official Information
Germany flag

Living in Germany

Cost of Living
2% cheaper than United States
Avg Salary€36,000
Quality of Life
195/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Transfer within a multinational company to an EU establishment. Managers, specialists, or trainee employees.

The German ICT Card is a residence permit for managers, specialists, and trainee employees transferred from a multinational's non-EU headquarters to its German branch. It requires at least 6 months' prior employment with the company group and covers transfers exceeding 90 days.

The permit is valid up to 3 years for managers and specialists, 1 year for trainees, and is renewable within those limits. Family members may accompany the holder and are entitled to work without restrictions. A 6-month cooling-off period applies between successive ICT transfers. No PR pathway exists.

This visa is ideal for intracompany transferees — managers and specialists — sent by a non-EU multinational to run or staff its German operations for a fixed term.

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Cost Breakdown

National Entry Visa (D-Visa)EUR €75
ICT Card (Residence Permit)EUR €100
TotalEUR €175

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant3 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

EU Blue Card
Germany flagGermany

EU Blue Card

Validity4 years
Processing2 weeks – 3 months
View Visa Details
EU Long-Term Residence Permit
Germany flagGermany

EU Long-Term Residence Permit

Validity5 years
Processing4 weeks – 3 months
View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a manager, specialist, or trainee employee.

Must be employed by a company headquartered outside the EU for at least 6 months prior to transfer.

Transfer must be to a branch or subsidiary of the same company group in Germany.

Transfer duration must exceed 90 days.

Must possess appropriate professional qualifications for the role.

Must have a valid employment contract for the duration of the transfer.

Must be provided with working and salary conditions equivalent to German workers.

Must provide evidence of ability to return to the entity outside the EU after the assignment.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (at least 2 blank pages, valid for 3 months beyond visa duration).

Completed visa application form.

Signed employment contract for the duration of the transfer.

Assignment letter detailing the place, nature of work, remuneration, and terms.

Evidence of professional qualifications.

Proof of employment with the company group for at least 6 months.

Evidence of ability to return to a non-EU entity after the assignment.

Proof of health insurance.

Passport-sized photographs.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Facilitates rapid international transfer of key personnel.
  • Provides high planning certainty as it is a legally claimable right if requirements are met.
  • Enables mobility within other EU member states for the same company group.
  • Streamlined process compared to standard work permits.

Worth Knowing

  • Cannot be applied for directly within Germany; must be initiated from abroad.
  • Maximum duration is 3 years for managers/specialists and 1 year for trainees.
  • A 6-month cooling-off period is required between the end of one ICT transfer and a new application.
  • Not intended for internships; must be a formal employment relationship.

Application Process

1

Apply for a national visa (D visa) at the German mission in the country of residence before entering Germany.

2

Employer may apply for pre-approval from the Federal Employment Agency to expedite the process.

3

Upon arrival in Germany, register the residential address at the local residents' registration office (Bürgeramt).

4

Apply for the electronic ICT residence permit at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde).

Application Forms

ICT Notification Form
Notification form for short-term mobility intra-corporate transfer (ICT)
Fill online

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