A professional qualification or university degree is still not required. Language skills are no longer required for visa purposes. In this case, the minimum gross salary of at least €40,770 (as of 2024) per year or remuneration according to the collective agreement applies as well.

With the new law, existing mechanisms for skilled workers with a university degree, such as the EU Blue Card, will continue and in some cases be extended. In addition, a new opportunity card (Chancenkarte) will enable third-country nationals to seek employment.

The new law has several parts. The provisions will be phased in from November 2023. Here is an initial overview of the planned amendments:

The new EU Blue Card from November 2023

In implementing the requirements of Directive (EU) 2021/1883, the German legislator has restructured and widened the migration possibilities with an EU Blue Card:

• Lower salary thresholds: The salary thresholds for the EU Blue Card in regular occupations and bottleneck professions will be significantly lowered. In future, a minimum salary of 45.3% of the annual contribution assessment ceiling for pension insurance (in 2024: €41,041.80) will apply to bottleneck professions and new entrants to the labour market; for all other occupations, the figure will be 50% (in 2024: €45,300).
   
• Wider group of people: 
  
  New entrants to the labour market: The possibility of obtaining an EU Blue Card will be opened to a wider group of people. For example, foreign people who have graduated from university within the last three years can obtain an EU Blue Card if their job in Germany earns them a minimum salary of 45.3% of the annual assessment ceiling for pension insurance (in 2024: €41,041.80). This applies to both bottleneck professions and regular occupations.
  
  IT specialists: Another change is that IT specialists will be able to obtain an EU Blue Card if they do not have a university degree but can prove that they have at least three years of comparable professional experience. In this case, the lower salary threshold for bottleneck professions will apply (45.3% of the annual assessment ceiling; in 2024: €41,041.80).
  
  Extension of the list of bottleneck professions: The list of bottleneck professions for the EU Blue Card will be significantly expanded. In addition to the existing bottleneck professions (mathematics, IT, science, engineering, and human medicine), skilled workers in the following occupations will be able to obtain an EU Blue Card if they meet the other requirements:
  • Manufacturing, mining, construction, or distribution managers
  • Information and communications technology service managers
  • Professional services managers, such as child care or health services managers
  • Veterinarians
  • Dentists
  • Pharmacists
  • Nursing or midwifery professionals
  • School and out-of-school teachers and educators

You can find the detailed list of bottleneck occupations here.

Here, too, the lower salary threshold for bottleneck professions will apply (45.3% of the annual assessment ceiling; in 2024: €41,041.80).

Where to Apply for a Visitor/Tourist Visa to Germany?

To apply for a Germany visa from Dubai, you can contact us at germanyvisa.ae. We are a Germany visa expert agency who will guide you through the entire process of applying for a Germany tourist visa. All you need to do is submit the right supporting documents, and we will fire up the visa application process for you.

Germany Visa Requirements and Application Process

You will need to submit certain documents for the successful processing of your visa application. These include the ones given below.

• Application form filled up in German/English
• A declaration that the furnished details are credible
• Identical passport-sized photos as per the requirements of the Schengen state
• A valid national passport not older than 10 years and validity of at least 3 months from the date of returning from Germany. Your passport should have at least one blank page for affixing the sticker
• Statements of personal bank account for three months
• A confirmation letter from an insurance provider stating coverage of 30,000 Euros
• Proof of accommodation (either hotel booking or letter of confirmation from friends)
• Proof of flight reservation
• Sponsorship from someone you know or proof of your income
• Leave approval letter from your employer if you have a job
• No objection certificate from the educational institution in which you study (if you are a student) or the company at which you work (if you are a job holder)
• Proof of civil status (marriage certificate/child’s birth certificate)

For minors, the consent letter and visa form signed by their parents and the copy of the page containing the data of their parent’s passport are mandatory. These documents are required for the approval of the visa application of minors who wish to apply for a Germany visa.

How to Apply for Germany Visa from Dubai

Once you have got in touch with us for your Germany visa requirements, you will have to follow the steps mentioned below:

• First, we will determine the type of Germany visa you need depending on the purpose of your visit.
• Second, you will have to submit the list of documents required to procure the visa.
• You will also have to pay the Germany visa fee.
• Once we receive the documents, we will submit them at the Germany visa processing center in Dubai.
• You will have to attend an interview at the center on the scheduled date.
• Once you have attended the interview, all you need to do is await the response from the visa authorities.

Normally, the processing of visa applications takes around 10 days. However, it can take even longer than this duration, especially during the peak holiday season. So, apply for your  visa accordingly.

Types of Visas for Germany

Before applying for a German visa, you need to know about types of Germany visa available to ensure you choose the appropriate one for your trip. A Germany visa for a short-stay trip is valid for 90 days, if you are planning to apply for a short-stay visa. It is also called a C-type visa. For a longer haul or if you wish to stay in Germany for a longer duration, you must apply for a D-type visa which is a German long-stay visa.

When it comes to choosing a visa, a lot depends on the purpose for which you wish to visit Germany. Based on this aspect, you can apply for any one of the following visa documents to legally enter and stay in Germany:

• Germany Tourist Visa
• Germany Visa for Visiting Family/Friends
• Germany Business Visa
• Official Visit Visa
• Germany Medical Visa
• Germany Visa for Film/Sports/Cultural Crews
• Germany Exhibitions/Trade Fair Visa
• Germany Internship/Training Visa
• Germany Airport Transit Visa
• Germany Transit Visa

The different forms of German visas stated above are meant for distinct purposes. You can choose one of them by considering your purpose for visiting Germany. If you are not sure which one to choose from the above-mentioned options, you can consider getting professional help or guidance to make an informed decision.

Germany Tourist/Visitor Visa Fee

As is the case with other visa applications, you must pay a fee for the successful processing of your Germany tourist/visitor visa. The fee for the visa application may be around 80 euros. Candidates who belong to certain categories are eligible for exemptions. Don’t forget to check whether you are eligible for such exemptions, depending on the category to which you belong.