Work Permit (Arbeitserlaubnis) vs EU Blue Card for Foreign Students in Germany

Holzstempel auf Dokument: Arbeitserlaubnis

As a student in Germany, after graduation you have two options either to apply for a work permit or apply to the new EU Blue Card that was introduced in 2012. So which one do you choose and why?

Similarities:

  • Allow you to work in Germany
  • When applied for independently, both are issued on the basis of demand for the profession in Germany.
  • Both allow the holder to bring along their families.

 

Differences

Permit

  • Can be issued for shorter periods (from 6months) and can be extended regularly
  • Expensive in the long run (each extension costs about €100)
  • Can be converted into a permanent residence permit after 60 months
  • Independent of how much one earns
  • Can be issued in connection to other visas e.g. Family visa and in special cases a study visa
  • If bringing along the family, a work permit holder has to prove their job will sustain the dependents.
  • Application process can be quite complicated. (Read: Applying for a Work Permit after Graduation)

 

Blue Card

  • Automatically issued for 4years with no extension
  • Cheaper, issuance costs about €150 but no more than €250
  • Can be upgraded to a permanent residence permit after 21 months (for those with good German) or 33 months for the others
  •  Is usually company dependent, meaning it is issued with the purpose of working for a specific company. In case you change jobs, then you have to get a new one.
  • Issuance is dependent on how much you earn. You can check the requirements here. (Read: EU Blue Card Introduced)
  • Is issued independently
  • Automatically allows family members to join the card holder, without need to prove financial capabilities. This is because, holding the card already shows that one is earning enough.
Share with friends:

1 Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. Moving to Germany With a Visa from Another EU-Country – Mkenya Ujerumani

Comments are closed.