I. Main Visa and Work Permit Types

The table covers only the principal categories discussed in this guide and is not an exhaustive list of all German visa categories.

1. Short-Term Tourism and Business Visits

Chinese ordinary-passport holders travelling to Germany for short-term tourism or business generally require an applicable Schengen Type C visa. Schengen short stays are generally limited to a cumulative 90 days in any 180-day period, with stays across Schengen countries counted together. Visa validity and the number of entries do not equal the actual authorized period of stay.

A short visit does not automatically grant work rights, and activities exempt from a work permit must still meet Germany’s domestic conditions. Whether an activity qualifies as a visit depends on the actual work performed, not only the itinerary label or where salary is paid. Installation, repair, training and on-site client services require particular review to determine whether work authorization or a specific exemption is needed.

2. Residence Permit for Skilled Workers With Vocational Training (§18a)

This pathway applies to people with a German-recognized vocational qualification or vocational training completed in Germany who have secured a qualified position with a German employer.

The applicant must hold a German-recognized or equivalent vocational qualification and have a genuine qualified position. Regulated professions require professional authorization and, where necessary, approval from the Federal Employment Agency. Applicants over age 45 entering Germany for work for the first time must also meet the applicable salary or pension-provision condition.

The permit is generally issued for up to four years. If the employment contract or applicable employment approval is shorter, it is generally issued for that period plus six months, up to four years. If employment ends early and the authority shortens the permit after lawful notification, at least six months should remain from the employment end date; in statutory cases involving particularly exploitative working conditions, at least nine months should remain, without exceeding the original expiry date. A new job must still satisfy the relevant authorization conditions, and renewal or a change of employer must comply with permit annotations and applicable labour-market access requirements.

3. Residence Permit for Skilled Workers With a University Degree (§18b)

This pathway applies to people with a German university degree or a comparable foreign university degree who have secured a qualified position with a German employer.

The applicant must hold a German university degree or a recognized, comparable foreign degree and have a genuine qualified position. Except for regulated professions and other specified cases, the role should not automatically be required to correspond exactly to the degree subject. Salary, professional access requirements and any applicable Federal Employment Agency review must still be satisfied. People over age 45 entering Germany for work for the first time must separately confirm the salary or pension-provision condition.

The permit is generally issued for up to four years. If the employment contract or applicable employment approval is shorter, it is generally issued for that period plus six months, up to four years. The post-employment retention rules are the same as for the §18a pathway. A new job must still satisfy the relevant authorization conditions, and renewal or a change of employer must comply with permit annotations and applicable labour-market access requirements.

4. EU Blue Card (§18g)

The EU Blue Card applies to highly skilled non-EU employees who hold a German or comparable foreign degree or equivalent advanced qualification, have an offer of at least six months from a German company, and whose position matches their qualification and meets the salary requirement.

The applicant must have a highly skilled contract lasting at least six months and matching academic qualifications or statutory professional experience. In 2026, the general annual salary threshold is €50,700. A threshold of €45,934.20 may apply to shortage occupations, recent graduates or applicants with qualifying IT experience, subject to Federal Employment Agency approval where applicable.

The Blue Card is generally issued for up to four years. If the employment contract or applicable employment approval is shorter, it is generally issued for that period plus six months, up to four years. The post-employment retention rules are the same as for other skilled-worker residence permits. A Blue Card holder changing jobs during the first year of employment must notify the foreigners authority, which will review whether the new position continues to meet the Blue Card conditions.

II. Entry, Family Members and Other Arrangements

Visas, work authorization and residence documents must correspond to the actual activity and to one another’s validity periods. The spouse and children of a §18a permit holder may apply for family reunification subject to the applicable conditions; their work rights depend on the annotations on their own visa and residence card.

Family reunification and work rights for family members of a §18b permit holder are determined under the family residence decision and cannot be inferred solely from the principal applicant’s residence pathway. Eligible spouses and children of an EU Blue Card holder may apply for family reunification under the accompanying Blue Card rules. A spouse who obtains the relevant family residence status may generally work, although regulated professions remain subject to professional requirements.

III. Renewal, Changes, End of Employment and Status Maintenance

IV. How sailglobal Can Support You

If you plan to send personnel to Germany for business visits, local employment, short-term projects or accompanying-family arrangements, contact sailglobal to understand the applicable pathway and application requirements based on the person’s status, job duties and itinerary.

Visa, work-permit and residence applications are decided independently by the relevant authorities. sailglobal does not guarantee an approval outcome or fixed issuance date.