Visa for IT professionals
Special regulation for IT specialists
Since March 1, 2022, the Skilled Immigration Act has made it possible for IT specialists to obtain a residence permit for qualified employment in Germany, regardless of whether they have a degree or not. Since November 18, 2023, it has even been possible for them to apply for an EU Blue Card without a degree. To do so, however, they need practical work experience in the field of information and communication technology.
EU Blue Card for IT specialists
In principle, skilled workers applying for a Blue Card must be able to prove that they have completed a university education. However, IT experts are in demand on the German labor market like never before. This is why the legislator has decided to allow them to apply for an EU Blue Card even if they do not have a university degree. According to Section 18g (2) of the Residence Act (AufenthG), the following requirements must be met:
- Concrete job offer
- Gross annual salary of€45,934.20 (2026)
- Three years of professional experience in the past seven years
- Demonstrable theoretical knowledge
First, there must be a concrete job offer in the IT sector. The offered salary must be at least€45,934.20gross per year, i.e., meet the salary threshold for so-called shortage occupations that are in high demand.
In addition, applicants must have gained at least three years of professional experience in the field in which they wish to work in Germany in the past seven years.
Although IT specialists do not need a university degree to apply for an EU Blue Card, they must still be able to demonstrate theoretical knowledge in IT that is comparable to that of university graduates. This proof can be provided through training courses or by passing examinations, for example.
Advantages of an EU Blue Card
As mentioned above, IT specialists with extensive professional experience but without a professional or university degree have the option of applying for an EU Blue Card as well as a visa and residence permit in accordance with § 19c para. 2 AufenthG in conjunction with § 6 para. 1 EmploymentEmployment Ordinance (BeschV) can be obtained. However, the Blue Card offers some advantages compared to this title. Although neither title requires any knowledge of the German language, and for both the gross annual salary must be above a similarly high salary threshold (the threshold for the Blue Card is almost 300 euros higher), holders of an EU Blue Card can obtain a settlement permit more quickly. settlement permit and bring more members of their close family to join them. There is also an entitlement to the issue of the Blue Card. entitlementwhereas the granting of a residence permit for IT specialists with extensive professional experience is at the discretion of the immigration authority.
Visa for IT professionals
In order to obtain a visa and a residence permit to work as an IT specialist in accordance with Section 19c (2) AufenthG in conjunction with Section 6 (1) sentence 3 BeschV, you must meet the following requirements in particular:
- Concrete job offer
- Two years of professional experience
- Gross annual salary of €45,630 (2026)
As with the EU Blue Card, you must have a concrete job offer in the IT sector in Germany, but in this case with a minimally lower minimum salary.
In addition, you must again professional experience in the IT sector in this case at least two years within the last five years. Unlike with the EU Blue Card, you do not have to be able to prove that you have theoretical knowledge comparable to that of university graduates. However, you must be able to show that your professional experience actually qualifies you to carry out the employmentthat you have been offered, qualified.
Since a change in the law that came into force on March 1, 2024, you do not need to have the following for a residence permit for IT specialists with extensive practical professional knowledge knowledge of the German language be able to prove this.
However, the approval of the Federal Employment Agency is always required. This agency checks whether the conditions of your employment are comparable to those of domestic employees.