IT Specialist Visa (Card for Skilled Workers)

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

4-12 weeks

Estimated Cost

EUR €75

Stay Duration

Varies (Tied to employment contract)

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Official Information

Living in Germany

Cost of Living

2% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary€36,000

Quality of Life

195/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Work visa for IT professionals with or without formal qualifications. Requires job offer meeting minimum salary threshold.

The German IT Specialist visa (Section 19c AufenthG) grants skilled IT workers a work residence permit without requiring formal qualifications or a recognised degree. Applicants need at least two years of IT experience within the last five years, a concrete job offer, and a gross annual salary of at least €45,630.

Tied to the employment contract, the permit is renewable with no fixed cap. Holders may obtain a settlement permit after five years. Spouses join on a family reunification visa with unrestricted work rights; children up to 18 are included. The application fee is €75 and processing takes 4-12 weeks.

This visa is ideal for experienced IT professionals without a formal degree who have a German job offer and want a renewable work permit with a path to permanent residence.

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