General Information

For academics with a recognized university degree who wish to take up employment in Germany corresponding to their qualifications, there is easier access to the labor market via the “Blue Card EU”. In addition to the respective degree, obtaining a Blue Card EU requires proof of a specific job offer with an annual gross salary of at least 43.800 Euro (as of 2023).

For specialists in mathematics, information technology, natural sciences and technology, as well as physicians, a Blue Card EU can also be issued if they reach an annual salary of min. 39.682,80 Euro (as of 2023).

Potential applicants can check the web Portal ANABIN to find out if their foreign university degree is recognized or seen as equivalent.

Prepare your application

You should start preparing your application as soon as you have plans for your long-term stay in Germany. Prepare your application according to the following list and submit the original documents with 1 copy each when applying for a visa:

• copy of valid passport (including all pages that are not blank)
• a completed and personally signed national visa application form (please use the online application form VIDEX)
• 2 recent biometric passport photos (not older than 3 months)
• Saudi ID or Iqama or Saudi Arabian visa & entry stamp
• work contract or binding job offer from Germany with an annual salary of currently at least 43.800,- EUR (for scientists, mathematicians, engineers, physicians or IT specialists at least 39.682,80 EUR per year)
• employment declaration (“Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis”), filled and signed by the employer

• university degree related to the intended profession
• proof of recognition of the foreign University degree with excerpt of the ANABIN database or recognition confirmation (“Anerkennungsbescheid”)

• motivation letter
  

• detailed CV including educational and professional experience
• if applicable: current and previous employment letter
• if applicable: proof of German/English language knowledge
• for regulated professions: professional license

• visa fee of 75€, to be paid in SAR (cash only)
  

Before the visa can be issued, the German Mission will request a valid “Incoming” health insurance for Germany.

All documents are to be presented in original or certified copy along with one set of copies for the German Mission.

Foreign documents issued in other languages than English or German have to be submitted with an official translation.

The German Missions reserve the right to request additional documents.

Important notes on the visa procedure

Please do not send unrequested documents to the German Mission, especially not before applying for the visa, as those cannot be kept. Please submit all documents when applying in person at the Mission. Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Foreign public documents need to be duly legalized by the competent German Mission in the issuing country, or, if applicable, provided with an Apostille. For documents from some countries, individual document verification might be necessary, that process would require more time and an additional fee.

Processing

The processing of the visa application for Blue Card EU usually takes two to three weeks, sometimes longer.

The German Mission decides on your application based on the provided documents. You will be contacted as soon as the application has been decided. Please note that questions regarding the status of your visa application cannot be answered. Due to data protection regulation, no status updates can be given via phone.

Book your appointment

To submit your application, please book an appointment and appear in person at the German Embassy in Riyadh. The embassy will accept your complete application documents including the visa fee, will conduct a short interview with you and register your biometric data.

Please book an appointment through the online system of the Embassy in Riyadh.

Additional information

General information, e.g. on the recognition of foreign qualifications, on employment opportunities in Germany or on social security issues can be found on the website of the Zentrale Auslands- und Fachvermittlung (ZAV), at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees and on the EURES -portal (European Employment Services).

You can find general information on professional migration on the web portal “make-it-in-germany” .