Visas to work in Germany: look for a job vacancy
This option is ideal for those who have a Higher Education degree to spend up to six months in the country seeking a placement in their area of training. However, this type of visa to look for a job in Germany does not allow activities with salary.
Therefore, when obtaining a position, the professional must go to the nearest Foreigners Department and apply for a residence permit. It is then possible to apply for one of the visas to work in Germany.
Required documents:
• Always original with two copies:
• Brazilian passport;
• 2 current biometric photos (3.5 x 4.5 cm with light background);
• Application form for granting a residence permit;
• Professional résumé;
• Diploma of completion of higher education or from another country recognized and comparable to the course in Germany;
• Motivation letter in German with the data of the job search planning (branch, region, place of residence/housing);
• Proof that you have sufficient financial means (minimum 853 euros per month) for the intended period of stay;
• Voucher of health insurance.
Visas to work in Germany: highly qualified work
If certain conditions are met, foreigners may be granted a visa to work in Germany in areas where a high qualification is required, such as Information Technology. This requires the authorization and approval of a country agency. In addition, the waiting time for obtaining the visa, once all the documents have been submitted, may require up to one and a half months.
Required documents:
• Passport;
• Form filled out with "Application for the granting of a residence permit;
• Statement of knowledge in accordance with Article 54(2)(8) in accordance with Article 53 of the German Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz);
• 2 current photos (3.5 x 4.5 cm with light background);
• Work contract or letter from the employer confirming the hiring with job description and monthly salary amount;
• In case of employee exchange: letter from the employer confirming the sending of the employee to Germany;
• Professional resume in German;
• Proof of your professional qualification. In case of non-German professional qualification: certificate of equivalence;
• If applicable: approval from the Federal Labor Office;
• Health insurance certificate (travel health insurance with minimum coverage of 30 thousand euros or USD 50 thousand).
Visa for work as a trainee
For stays of less than three months, Brazilians do not need a visa when they get the ZAV certificate. That is, if the internship has been approved by ZAV (International Placement Service in Germany) or when they receive a scholarship from a German or European Union institution. According to the German Embassy, if the internship is linked to the higher area, foreigners can apply for an internship visa if they meet the following requirements:
• Student enrolled in a Brazilian university (if it is a part-time or distance learning course). You must present a certificate of enrolment, a form filled out by the national university and send a copy of your passport to your employer in Germany;
• If you have already attended at least four semesters of your higher education course;
• The desired internship is related to the area of knowledge of your course;
• The internship period is limited to a maximum of 12 months;
• The remuneration of the internship is 720 euros gross per month for a working day of up to 40 hours per week.
• If there is no remuneration or you are below this level, you must obtain a term of financial commitment or proof of means to support yourself during your stay in Germany.
Work vacation visa
The Working Holiday in Germany was approved in Brazil in June 2019 and, with this, Brazilian and German students are allowed to take the working vacation visa in both countries. In other words, young people between the ages of 18 and 30 can travel as tourists and work legally during the validity of the one-year visa. Only the Youth Mobility Program has an extension of age up to 35 years.
Required documents:
• Passport;
• Plan of health and travel insurance;
• Passage back to Brazil;
• Proof of financial reserve of 2 thousand euros.
Vacancies offered for this type of work are usually related to tourism, online business, call centers or agriculture. Government internships Internships for specialized professionals and executives who receive scholarships with German public funds or are part of official European Union programs. Thus, there is no need for ZAV approval. The applicant can apply for a visa directly at the German representation in his/her region.
Internships through the Federal Employment Agency
In this case, the maximum duration is up to 9 months. This category also includes trainees intermediated by the ZAV, who have received an allocation confirmation.
Training internship
Those who have already completed higher education can still undertake a further training course. In this case, there is no obligation to get the internship approved at ZAV. However, during the visa process, the relevant employment agency in which the employer is located examines the possibility of granting a work permit.
Required documents:
• Application for a residence permit;
• Declaration under the German Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz);
• 2 current photos (3.5 x 4.5 cm with light background);
• Passport valid for three months beyond the date of departure from Germany;
• Internship contract with a monthly fee;
• Certificate of approval from ZAV (when required).
Work as an au pair
If you are interested in working in Germany as an Au Pair, it is essential that you meet a number of criteria such as age group, language fluency, host family, purpose of experience and time. This process is usually supported by some agencies and tends to be simplified. In general, you must be up to 27 years old, have basic knowledge of German (Level A1), have a home for your stay and a family with a young person under 18. In addition, you must have the intention to stay in Germany for between one semester and a whole year.
To guarantee this type of visa to work in Germany, the following extra documentation is required:
• Motivation letter;
• Start Deutsch 1 Certificate (German course, if any);
• Au Pair activity contract between the applicant and the host family;
• Completed Au-Pair form by the host family.
Visas to work in Germany: voluntary work
The visa for volunteering in Germany is valid for up to one year. If you need to extend your stay, you can be granted a visa valid for a further three months. During this time, you can enter German territory and present yourself to the Foreigners' Office to officially start your activities.
Foreign nationals can do voluntary work in Germany if they meet certain conditions:
• Age group: Social Voluntary Year (FSJ) and Ecological Voluntary Year (FÖJ) up to the age of 27; Federal Voluntary Service (BFD) without age limit;
• Language: basic knowledge in German (A1);
• Intuitive travel: acquiring skills, engagement, cultural receptivity;
• Travel time: 6 to 24 months, usually one year;
• Financial situation: proof of financial support, accommodation, food and social security.
Visas to work in Germany: entrepreneur
According to the Brazilian Consulate in Germany, a body linked to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the German law was changed in 2012 to optimize the permanence of investors. Thus, the foreign entrepreneur needs to make an initial investment of about 12,500,000 euros for his stay to be approved. In addition, other requirements of the German government have to be met.
In certain situations there is no obligation for the investor to live in Germany in order to start his activities. Therefore, he must have a partner, employee or legal representative. However, the action may be carried out by a self-employed person and/or a micro-entrepreneur who runs his own business and has no employees.
A work visa (Arbeitserlaubnis) is therefore required. In addition, the self-employed also need a specific permit, called Gewerbeschein. Ideally, you should present yourself to the diplomatic representation of your region. During the application process, the authorities may request various documents from the entrepreneur, such as business plan, revenue projection, hiring labor and proof of capital.
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