5 Visa Paths: How Kenyan Job Seekers Can Work in Germany

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  The EU Blue Card serves as a visa alternative for professionals who possess certified qualifications in sectors experiencing shortages.
  
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  The Job Seeker Visa, which is also referred to as the Opportunity Card and was launched in 2024, enables skilled professionals to come to Germany even without having a job lined up beforehand.
  
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  Applicants from Kenya who wish to work in Germany will need to acquire a residence permit for durations longer than 90 days.
  

Elijah Ntongai, who works as a journalist for Farovint.co.ke, boasts over four years of experience in researching and reporting on finance, business, and technology. He offers valuable perspectives on both local Kenyan developments and international patterns.

Recently, Germany has implemented major changes to its immigration policies with the intention of drawing in more skilled laborers from outside the European Union (EU).

Similar to numerous advanced economies, this nation is grappling with an aging populace and workforce deficiencies in crucial sectors including healthcare, information technology, engineering, and construction.

In September 2024, President William Ruto traveled to Germany and signed an agreement for a Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership. This pact aims to ease the process of recruiting Kenyan workers to help fill labor gaps.

During an exchange with Farovint.co.ke, Lana Birley—a journalist and migration specialist based in Germany—stated that the nation has acknowledged the necessity of making its immigration process more user-friendly and streamlined.

Significantly, the nation has introduced immigration changes over the past few years aimed at simplifying visa procedures, offering more chances for international experts, and facilitating their permanent relocation within the country.

Birley suggests that these changes offer a significant chance to ensure jobs, acquire global expertise, and build a lasting career in Germany.

Legal avenues for Kenyans aiming to work in Germany

1. EU Blue Card

This visa is intended for professionals holding certified qualifications in fields experiencing staff shortages, including healthcare, engineering, and IT.

Candidates require a work proposal, and according to the updated legislation, your employment in Germany needs to allow you to make an annual gross income of at least €48,300 (effective from 2025).

If you work in a restricted occupation, you may qualify for an EU Blue Card with a minimum gross yearly income of €43,759.80 (effective from 2025). You can find the list of these occupations in demand in Germany here.

2. Job Seeker Visa (Opportunity Pass)

In 2024, Germany launched the Opportunity Card initiative, enabling skilled workers to move into the nation and live there lawfully as they seek employment for up to twelve months without needing a job offer beforehand.

This card enables individuals to engage in legal part-time employment while they look for a full-time position. Applicants who meet the requirements must possess either officially recognized professional certifications or academic degrees from Germany, or fulfill various conditions including cumulative factors like work history, specific age brackets, and linguistic abilities—each contributing a designated point value towards their application score.

Candidates are required to provide evidence of their capability to fund their living costs throughout their job hunt, with a minimum of €1,027 each month as stated by BBC.com. Individuals will be able to submit an application for the Opportunity Card, also known as the Chancekarte, starting from June 1st, 2024.

3. German Work ( Employment ) Visa

Various kinds of work visas are available, including what’s known as the EU Blue Card, which was previously discussed. Other options encompass the Skilled Worker Visa, Professionally Experienced Worker Visa, Self-employed & Freelance Visa, and Researcher Visa. As per Lana Birley, the criteria for working in Germany comprise:

● Job proposal from a company based in Germany

● Academic or professional certification

● Financial stability

● Language proficiency

● Visa and residency authorization

4. Residence Permits

Birley further pointed out that Kenyans who wish to relocate to Germany must obtain a residence permit, enabling them to remain in the country beyond an extended duration of over 90 days.

During this period, you have the option to study, work, or participate in other activities within Germany. The type of German residency permit you may qualify for depends on how long you plan to stay and what specific criteria you meet; however, generally speaking, there are two main categories.

• Temporary Stay Permit or Restricted Residency Permit – intended for durations of up to one year.
• Permanent Residence Permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) — this allows you to work in Germany and freely enter and exit the country as needed. With such a permit, your children and spouse are also permitted to relocate and live with you.

“Professionals who have lived and worked in Germany can be eligible for permanent residence after only five years; nonetheless, those showing strong German proficiency (at B1 level or above) along with proof of financial self-sufficiency may qualify within three years,” Birley clarified.

As stated by Germany-Visa.org, when applying for a German residence permit, you will need to submit several key documents: a current passport, evidence of intermediate proficiency in German at level B1 or higher, successful completion of a medical examination, confirmation of financial stability, an employment contract along with details about your position (in case your move is work-related), documentation verifying acceptance into a university (should your relocation be study-oriented), and a copy of your marriage certificate (if you plan to join your spouse in Germany).

5. Family Reunification Visa

Should a Kenyan professional obtain a residence permit, they may also sponsor their family members—such as spouses and children—to apply for a Family Reunification Visa. This visa enables these family members to reside, work, and pursue education in Germany.

Application process overview

Birley outlined several crucial steps and measures for individuals aiming to migrate to Germany.

• Look for employment – Utilize resources such as “Make It in Germany” to submit applications for roles in sectors with significant demand.
• Study German – Although certain positions demand just English skills, being proficient in German enhances career prospects. The Goethe-Institut aids individuals in engaging with German culture, facilitates the acquisition of the German language, and fosters cultural and scientific development.
• Obtain acknowledgment for your credentials — Numerous regulated fields (such as medicine, engineering) necessitate formal validation. The “Anerkennung” procedure assists in certifying your overseas qualifications.
• To apply for a visa, submit your application at the German Embassy in Kenya and await processing, which typically takes between 6 to 12 weeks.