🇩🇪Germany
EU Blue Card
Fastest skilled-work route in the EU with portability across 25 member states.
Required documents
- ·Recognised university degree (anabin database)
- ·Signed German employment contract
- ·Health insurance (statutory or private)
Things to know
- ·After 12 months you may move to another EU country and retain Blue Card status.
- ·Switch to permanent residency unlocks freedom to change employers.
Apostille & legalization
Apostille routeApostille only — both United States and Germany are parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention.
Documents that must be apostilled
- ·Diploma / academic transcript
Bank statements, employment contracts, photos, passport copies and the application form itself do not need an apostille.
- Obtain originals or certified copies of each civil/criminal record (birth certificate, marriage certificate, police clearance, diploma, etc.).
- Have each document apostilled by the competent authority in United States (U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications).
- Translate the apostilled document into the official language of Germany — the apostille itself is also translated.
- Submit the apostilled + translated bundle directly to the Germany immigration authority or consulate; no further consular stamp is required.
Translation: Germany only accepts translations from a court-sworn / officially recognised translator — agency translations are routinely rejected.
Issuing authority in United States: U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications
Documents older than 3–6 months are often rejected. Plan to obtain fresh originals shortly before your visa application.
Last verified 31 May 2026 — reconfirm on the official portal before applying.
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