Pathway 03 of 06 · FOR HIGHLY QUALIFIED EARNERS
EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card is for graduates with a job offer above the salary threshold. It fast-tracks permanent residence and lets your family join you immediately.
- Processing
- 4–12 weeks
- Embassy fee
- €75
- Permanent residence
- 21 months (12 with B1 German)
All figures checked against auswaertiges-amt.de · last updated 12 Aug 2026
Requirements
Updated 12 Aug 2026- Job offer above the salary threshold (€45,300 in 2024, lower for shortage occupations)
- University degree recognised in Germany (anabin)
- Relevant work experience for the role
- Health insurance and a valid passport
- German is not required, but B1 unlocks permanent residence in 12 months
Document checklist
Updated 12 Aug 2026- Valid passport (2+ years remaining)
- Employment contract above the threshold
- Degree certificate + transcripts
- Anabin or ZAB recognition
- CV in German or English format
- Health insurance confirmation
- Two biometric photos + completed VIDEX form
Step by step
Updated 12 Aug 202601 · 1–6 months
Find a job above the threshold
Apply to German employers paying at or above the Blue Card minimum.
02 · 1–2 weeks
Employer sends the contract
Signed contract, job description, declaration of employment form.
03 · 2–8 weeks
Confirm degree recognition
Check anabin. If your university isn't listed, get a ZAB statement.
04 · book early
Book the embassy appointment
Accra appointments are the bottleneck, book as soon as the contract is signed.
05 · 1 day
Submit, pay €75, give biometrics
Bring originals and one copy set of everything on the checklist.
06 · 4–12 weeks
Decision, then travel
Register your address within two weeks of arriving in Germany.
What it costs
Updated 12 Aug 2026- Visa fee€75
- ZAB recognition (if needed)€200
- Document translation, per page€25–40
- Flight, Accra → Frankfurt€550–900
No blocked account required, your salary is the proof of funds.
Mistakes we see weekly
12 Aug 2026- 1.Accepting a salary below the threshold
- 2.Degree not listed on anabin
- 3.Accepting unpaid probation
- 4.Booking a flight before the visa is in the passport
Is this your route?
45 minutes to be sure
Bring your degree, CV and any offer. We confirm the route, or point you to the one that fits better.
€25/ 45 min
Information and application support. Not legal advice.
Other routes
Updated 12 Aug 2026Official sourceAlways cross-check with the German Federal Foreign Office: auswaertiges-amt.de