Hi,

I am going to apply for a work permit/blue card from the Mumbai consulate next week. However, I have heard that the consulate staff are not clear about the new regulations and will process this application just like they processed earlier "employment visa" applications. 

Is there anyone who has applied for the visa/blue card after 1st August? Can you please share your experience about the process - mainly whether it has been processed/rejected, any additional documentation asked by the consulate, timelines, etc?

Also, I had assumed that under new rules, the application can be processed at the consulate itself and there will be no need to forward the application to the Foreigner Office. Is this true and implemented as well?

Thanks,
Hash

Hi,
it snice to meet you. this is Hari from Bangalore,India.
try to contact them in phone before attending blue card visa http://www.india.diplo.de/Vertretung/indien/en/05__Mumbai/Address/Address__Opening__Hours.html
as per my knowedge also , same national employment visa rules will apply for blue card also.
it depends on job contract also. i think you should have contract of 45,000 euros per annum . i am not sure.
check the below links
good website about germany and blue card - http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/making-it/quick-check/  good FAQs about blue card- http://www.bluecard-eu.de/eu-blue-card-germany/

also please share your experinces after attending the interview

Best of luck

Hi Hash,

I also intend to apply for blue card from Mumbai.

My paper work is not yet complete. Iam waiting for my employer to send me work contract so that I can start the process.
Let me know when you have attended the interview .
Awaiting for your reply and feedback.

Regards
Nmax

 Hello guys,

Can you help me....

Do you know which documents are needed to apply for Blue card,after getting job offer ?


Thanks in advance.


Nika .

Hi Nika,

Basic documents required are Bachelor/ Masters Degree certificates, CV, Work Contract from your prospective employer.

But we will get more clear picture when some candidate file for the blue card from outside Deutschland and share his experience here.

Kind Regards
Nmax.

  bangalore link
http://www.india.diplo.de/contentblob/3264554/Daten/1542001/d_employment.pdf
mumbai link
http://www.india.diplo.de/Vertretung/indien/en/05__Mumbai/Visa/Visa1/Visa__Employment__Visa__Seite.html   
kolkatta link
http://www.india.diplo.de/contentblob/3174908/Daten/2611825/download_datei_employment_visa.pdf
try all from above both the links.
Bachelor/ Masters Degree certificates, CV, Work Contract from your prospective employer are mandatory .
it looks like  insurance from german company ,  invitation letter from employer,are also required which is saying about project tasks and duration after going there.
experiecne letters and form16s also may be required.
Also please share your experinces after attending the interview

Hi Nmax ,
Thank you a lot for useful information !!!

Hi,

Thanks everyone for this information. Guess I will be one of first ones on this forum to apply from Mumbai. My appointment is next week, so I will share my experience after that. Currently, I am going with the following documents:

• Cover letter (Do I need to give a cover letter from my side?)
• Cover letter from employer
• Work contract
• CV
• Degree certificates and marksheets
• Declaration of True & Complete information

Regarding the insurance, I called the consulate and they told me it is not required at this stage and if they need it for stamping, they will inform later.

Another important point for people applying from India, the visa fees have been increased from Rs. 4100 to Rs.4200. So ensure you have the draft for the  correct amount. I had already got my draft ready for 4100, but now I will have to get a new draft. 

Also, my employer has already sent my application for the work permit to the Munich labour/foreigner office, so that might speed up the process a bit.

Hi ,

Along with documents which you mentioned . Did you also filled the form with title "Long Term Visa Application Form" and  photos with correct size ?

Is their any separete form for Blue Card Visa avaliable at Embassy ? or does the form which I mentioned above is same form for Blue Card Visa too ?

Can you mail your email address : nkivalkar@gmail.com .

Thanks a lot for the information provided till now 

Wish you all the very best for the interview !


Kind Regards
NMax

Hi Nmax,

Yes, I have also filled the Long Term Employment Visa application form and got three photos of the correct size (two of which are to be pasted on the application forms and one loose).

There is no separate form for the Blue Card, because as far as I understand from what I have read and heard, the employment visa remains the same. Blue card is the residence permit you will receive after you enter Germany and apply at the Foreigner Office. Maybe form for that permit has been changed, but there is no change on the visa application.

Also, I have been advised by someone who knows a bit about this to just write "Blaue Karte" on my application in big letters.

Regards,
Hash

hi hashpatel,
best of luck for yiur interview. this is hari from bangalore.
share your experiences in THIS FORUM after attending the interview and my mail id is LHARIKRISHNA2011@GMAIL.COM

http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Infoservice/FAQ/ArbeitenLebenDeutschland/01-aaBlue%20Card%20english.html?nn=480902

the below statements from above official link shows very clear that we need to apply national visa and then Once in Germany, their local foreigners office will issue them the EU Clue Card.

In Germany the EU Blue Card can be obtained only from the foreigners offices. Third-country nationals who are eligible for the EU Blue Card and require a visa to enter Germany will be issued a national visa for the purpose of taking up gainful employment. Once in Germany, their local foreigners office will issue them the EU Clue Card.
Also if work contract has 45,000 euros per annum , it is easy to get blue card visa after going to germany.

Hi,

I have now applied for the visa at the Mumbai consulate and they told me that the process is still the same for the "employment visa/work permit". I had to submit the following documents:

1. Application form
2. Declaration of Authenticity
3. Covering Letter from Indian Company/self (In case of direct employment with German company, you need to write your own covering letter)
4. Covering Letter from German employer
5. Work Contract copies
6. Job Description (Not compulsory, since I did not submit this)
7. CV
8. Degree certificate copies
9. Passport copiesAlong with these, I also had to give demand draft of Rs. 4200 and two copies of the DD form (download from consulate website)

The process was very smooth, except for the long wait. They just asked me a couple of questions about the German company and the work contract. They returned my passport and told me that process will take 6-12 weeks and they will call me when the decision is made. So, now I just have to wait & hope for a quick decision.

[quote=hashpatel

Hi,

can you provide your mail id once or send test mail to lharikrishna2011@gmail.com
]Hi,

I have now applied for the visa at the Mumbai consulate and they told me that the process is still the same for the "employment visa/work permit". I had to submit the following documents:

1. Application form
2. Declaration of Authenticity
3. Covering Letter from Indian Company/self (In case of direct employment with German company, you need to write your own covering letter)
4. Covering Letter from German employer
5. Work Contract copies
6. Job Description (Not compulsory, since I did not submit this)
7. CV
8. Degree certificate copies
9. Passport copiesAlong with these, I also had to give demand draft of Rs. 4200 and two copies of the DD form (download from consulate website)

The process was very smooth, except for the long wait. They just asked me a couple of questions about the German company and the work contract. They returned my passport and told me that process will take 6-12 weeks and they will call me when the decision is made. So, now I just have to wait & hope for a quick decision.

Hi Hash,

Thanks for the update !!

Did you specifically mentioned on the filled visa form or any documents about Blue Card ?

Hi guys!

Just to give an update. I received my visa on 1st October & am now in Germany. Sorry about the late update. There were some hiccups, but its all sorted now. Here's the gist of my process:

Mid-August: Employer files for pre-approval (Vorabzustimmung) at Munich Alien's office.
4 Sept: Visa Application submitted at Mumbai Consulate
14 Sept: Visa-pre-approval (Vorabzustimmung) faxed from Munich Alien's office to Mumbai Consulate.
17 Sept: Mumbai Consulate denies receiving the fax.
18 Sept: Munich Alien's office faxes the Vorabzustimmung to Mumbai Consulate again
20 Sept: Mumbai Consulate again says they haven't received it.
26 Sept: I call Consulate to find status and they say they still haven't received it. They call back 30 mins later saying they have received the approval (I guess the FAX took 8 days to reach Mumbai). Ask me to submit passport and that I will receive it back on same day.
27 Sept: Passport submitted for stamping. Not returned on same day (no reason given)
28 Sept: Passport still not returned
1 Oct: Passport still not returned
2 Oct: Passport received
3 Oct: Arrived in Germany
5 Oct: Got residence registration done. Officially a Münchener now!
4 Feb: Appointment for electronic work/residence permit (and yes, its February)

My visa was issued within a month of application just because of the Vorabzustimmung which is a pre-approval from the Alien's Office. This can only be done by your employer. Otherwise be prepared to wait for at least 6 weeks, because I think the Mumbai Consulate people just send the application to Germany and file them by date and only open them when 6 weeks are up.

Another piece of advice: some of the phone ladies at the Mumbai consulate are the rudest you can find, so dont be disheartened if they just hang up on you. The first time I called to ask about whether they received the fax, she didn't let me say anything and just asked my application date. When I told her it was two weeks ago, her exact words were "Why can't you be patient? Don't call before 6 weeks" and she hung up. But I kept calling since I knew they should have got the approval and they kept denying it. Finally, they found the fax on 26 September (which was sent on 14th/18th) and if I hadn't called, they would have waited for the 6 weeks before opening my file. 

Also, I have no clue why they took four working days to stamp my passport (4 working days plus a weekend = total 6 days).  And like an idiot, i had booked flights for 30th and hotel in Munich (given Oktoberfest, I had to book hotel asap). So had to reschedule flight & change hotel bookings and pacify an annoyed boss who was expecting me at work on 1st Oct. 

But I got my visa in a month, so I guess I should be happy about that!

hi Hash,

What did you ask the consulate for? if they received approval? did you mention them that your employer has submitted for pre approval already? also, did you mention that you appleid for blue card?

Do let me know.

Regards,
Shyam.

Hi Shyam,

Regarding the preapproval, it is a document called "Vorabzustimmung" which is issued by the Alien's/Foreigner's office in Germany on specific request from your employer. If your employer has not done this, there is no point calling before at least 5 weeks, because all the aliens/foreigner's offices in Germany are now swamped with Blue Card applications. 

The first time I called they did not even give me enough time to tell them that the pre-approval had been faxed to them and in the next two calls, I specifically told them that the "Vorabzustimmung" had been faxed to them directly by the Alien's/Foreigner's office in Germany, but they were not willing to acknowledge receipt of the fax.

One thing is forgot to do is to tell them at the time of application that we had already applied for pre-approval. Maybe that might have speeded things up on the Indian side as well.

I never spoke to the consulate about "Blue Card". I tried to check with them about blue card on the day of my visa appointment, but they said they dont know anything about Blue Card and that their process remains the same.

Thanks Hash.

One last question. Do you have any idea if there are any chances of visa rejections happening?

Do let me know if you got any information on the same.

Thanks again.

I am asking this because I am in a dilemma whether to put my papers in my current company. So let me know your thoughts.

Sorry, I have no clue about rejection chances. Anybody else here heard of any rejections?

All,

I have received my visa approval. It took me exactly a month to get it.

Thanks for Hash for sharing his experiences on the forum. Do get it touch with me if anyone has any visa related queries.

Cheers.

Hi All,

Thank you very much for sharing with yours experience here!

I have already appied for Blue card,in German embassy they said  that they will give me a visa only, but Blue card I will get in Germany.
So, now I am waiting for my visa .....

I would like to ask...where I have to go in Germany to get Blue card and which documents are required for that...?

Thanks in advance!



Nika

 

You will get your bluecard when you arrive in Germany and register yourself at foreigner's office (Auslanderbehorde) located in all cities.

Hi Nika,

As cebit said, you apply for the Blue Card at the Auslanderbehorde (foreigner's/immigration office) in the respective city. I still haven't applied for mine, so am not sure about the paperwork. In Munich, you can only go with an appointment and my appointment is in February, so be prepared to wait for the Blue Card. 

Hi cebit and hashpatel,

Mant thanks for your responce....

Could you help me,please...How did you book an appoinment to apply for Blue card in Munich? May be you know website? 

Thanks in advince!

 Get your visa first, travel to Germany , register at the town hall and fix an appointment with ABH for blue card.

You can get your appointment via email. The details for Munich are on the website: http://www.muenchen.de/rathaus/Stadtverwaltung/Kreisverwaltungsreferat/Auslaenderwesen/Aktuelles.html#Zeit

It's in German, but Google Translate does a good job here. So check it out.

And as cebit says, get your visa first, and then you can get the appointment once you are here.

Hi cebit and hash....

Thank you a lot for yours advice and information!

Regards,

Nika

Hi hash and cebit !
I found some information  on  http://www.make-it-in-germany.com website 

"Registering with the local authorities
Anyone who lives in Germany is required to register with the local authorities. You should do this no later than one week after moving in. To do so, you need a valid identity document. If you are renting, you may need to give the name of your landlord. The address of the responsible registry office can be found on the website of your new city."

So, I am planing to go to Augsburg city... how can I find registry office there....? May you know website with all adresses ,as it is mandatory process to register there first week.

Regards,

Nika.

Hi Nika,

Just to make it clear, this is only for registering your address. If somebody wants to 'google' this for another city, the German keywords are: Anmeldung der Wohnung or Einwohnermeldeamt.

Here is the address of the Augsburg website:

http://www.augsburg.de/index.php?id=9630

There is a link where you can reach a PDF file which you can fill online and print it when you are ready:

https://formular-service.augsburg.de/intelliform/forms/stadt_augsburg/extern/330/extern/330/meldewesen/anmeldung_meldebehoerde/index

click the 'Öffnen' button.

Good luck
Detlef

Hi Detlef,

Many thanks for your help!

Regards,

Nika

This is a very useful thread for those who are planning to migrate to Germany..Do you suggest any Job seach/placement agencies from where we can get a job offer with a telephonic interview from India so that we can apply for EU Blue card.

Hi Hashpatel,

Hope you are well.

You said that only my employer can do pre-approval to accelerate my visa process. What kind of information I have to give to my employer to do Vorabzustimmung which is a pre-approval from the Alien's Office? 
I have to prepare authorization letter for employer. Did you prepare any authorization letter for employer for pre-approval process?

Thank you.

Nika.

Hi Nika,

In my case all the paperwork in Germany was handled by a relocation agency, so I do not know what's required. Also, I am not sure if the pre-approval is available anymore, since it was related to the earlier work permit process (my application process started in July before the Blue Card came into effect).

The rules have changed and are also applied differently based on the city. Best option is that someone from your employer in Germany speaks to the Auslanderbehorde to clarify the process. 

Regards,
Hash

Hi Hash
Many thanks for information!


Regards,
Nika

Hi Hash,

Thank you very much for sharing all this usefull information with all of us, its will be great help when i will apply for blue card in mumbai.

I have got an contract from germany, fortunately the company is from munich.

In coming week i will be applying for long term employment visa in mumbai.

I have some confusion over filling up the form, i hope you can help, the confusion is because the germany company has geven me a permenent contract, usually it for certain period, in the form there is a colum where we need to mension duration of stay

Ich beantrage die Aufenthaltserlaubnis für                                      Tage / Monat(e) / Jahr(e)
I hereby apply for a residence permit for                    days / month(s) / year(s)
 
My question is what do i mension in here, as my contract does not specify any duration its says permanent contract?
Did you have a contract with spefics of the duration of stay in germany?
 
Thanks in advance

Regards
Rakesh

Hi Rakesh,

Regarding the duration, the relocation consultant suggested that I put 3 years (she said that's the max they used to give) and it worked for me. So I guess it should work for you as well. Anyway, the ladies at the counter are quite helpful (in contrast to the phone ladies ) and they will tell you to correct it on the form, if its not right.

Also, not sure if yours is a transfer case or a direct employment, but if its direct then be sure to take a cover letter from self as well and it needs to be printed. They do not accept handwritten cover letters. I took only one cover letter (from my german employer) and they said they need a printed one from me as well. So I had to go out, find a cyber cafe, type the whole letter and get a printout in 20 mins. So, I don't remember the exact contents but I just mentioned in the letter that I had received a job offer from XXXX company in Munich alongwith the job details and said in the end to grant me a work permit. 

Hope this helps. Good Luck!

Hi Hash,

Thank you so much for the information shared ..!

You mentioned in one of your reply that your appointment with alien office in Germany is in February does it mean next year?

As you have already reached Germany why there is so much delay for Blue card appointment?

Even I have got a work contract directly from German employer and in the invitation letter they requested German Consulate Bangalore to process Blue card for me.

Did you also carried 3 months salary slip and Form 16 from previous years?

Thank You,
Sophie

Hi Sophie,

About the appointment, yes it is in February 2013. I don't know why they gave such a late date, but I think it might be because Munich office might have a backlog of cases. Since my visa is valid till March, I don't think that matters much except that my PR will also be delayed because I think the PR clock starts when you get the Blue Card.

And I did not take any salary slips or Form 16. I have mentioned all the documents in initial posts.

Good luck with your appointment!

Hash

Hi Hash,

Thanks for reply ..!

On the basis of the blue card sponsorship I received from German employer as per blue card law I want to apply for the Work visa for my spouse he will
travel along with me and need your help with the covering letter for my spouse ..!

Anyone on blog having any idea please guide me ..
My email address is learningalwaysrocks@gmail.com

Best Wishes,
Sophie

Hallo,

There is so much confusion in terms of the document required for Visa processing as per the checklist mentioned
on Bangalore consulate site and documents mentioned by Hash I have all of them but many other people are also
saying that our Salary slips, Health Insurance , form 16 and Bank statement are also required.

As Health Insurance and social security is provided by German employer itself which is mentioned in the contract.

Thanks,
Sophie

I have the following addtional questions on the german work permit application.

1. Only a PDF version of the application form is available on the Mumbai consulate website. Will they accept hand written application entries into this form? Or is there a different form which can be fully completed on the PC?

2. I've got about 6 months validity remaining on my passport. The consulate website says "The passport should have a minimum validity of 12 months beyond the date of return from the Schengen territory"
How do i interpret this for a long term employment visa? Do i need to have 12 months validity at the time of application for the work permit?

3. Is the preapproval process by the employer still in place?

Could somebody throw some light on this please?

Hi sophie,

I have recently submitted my appliacation for EU blue card germany, my appointment was on 20th on this month in mumbai, i have the updated list of
document needed for applying for long term visa. 

1. 1. application form hand writen
2. declaration
3. covering letter from company in india or incase of direct employment then letter writen from your side.
4. letter from comapny in germany and work contract
5. job Description
6. curriculum vitae
7. university certificates
8. copy of passport
9. DD of Rs 4400 with full name in block letter and passport no. on back of the DD 
10. DD form

One has to apply  for long term work visa 1st and then have to apply for blue card after reaching germany.
i Hope this helps you.

hi

1. the application should be hand writen
2. pre approval is still in place, tell your employer to gent intouch with 3rd party (agnecy) like fragomen etc and you wrok is done

Best of luck

Hi
This might give everyone clear picture

Hi Sophie

Even i had taken all those document along with me, salary slips, form 16, health insurance etc with me , but they returned it back, i toke all those document as i did not want to run at last monent , but they require those whiich i have send you , only those document are required.

Thank you rgdezyns for the information.

On the job description, is there a standard template to be filled up or can I make my own document format? I've got the job contract document from my prospective employer which does contain a description of the nature of work.

As your prospective employer for the job description in German. You can have a look at many German JD's and you will get an idea of JD.
You can prepare job description based on what is present in the contract and provide your employer's contact details.

That should suffice.

Good luck with your visa.

Hi, 

This forum has been really helpful. I am applying for the visa from the Mumbai consulate on 3rd january

Some  confusion regarding the form i have

a. In the place of father's name they ask for  only family name and then monthers family name and given names? Can someone give instruction if only father's suramae is to be entered or full name

b. In column 15, they ask the address of proposed residence. I know the city i will stay in but the exact apartment would be booked only after i get my visa and travel dates are fixed. What doi fill?

c. My work contract is valid till January 31, 2015 and passport till February 03, 2015 is it fine esp the consulate mentions that passport needs ot be valid for 12 months from the date of return?

please guide. 

Hi, 

Can ou please share ur emai id

[quote=Hi Battuss, 

Can you please share ur email id at bikashbit@gmail.com

battuss]All,

I have received my visa approval. It took me exactly a month to get it.

Thanks for Hash for sharing his experiences on the forum. Do get it touch with me if anyone has any visa related queries.

Cheers.

Hi All,

Hope you had a great new year.

Just to update you, I had an appointment for submitting Blue Card appllication today. The lady informed that I would receive the Blue Card within 3-4 weeks.

Let me know if any of you have any questions.

You can as well touch base with me - battushyamyadav@gmail.com.

Cheers,
SS

Hi Battus,
Did you have the pre approval , i am asking you as you told that it will take 3 to 4 week , because when i asked she told me that it would take 6 week

Hi,

My employer told me pre-approval for visa (Vorabzustimmung) does not work any more eversince blue card was introduced. I am hearing it takes about 3 weeks from the day you submit your visa with biometrics.

Good luck

Just to clarify to you all...

After entering Germany, you will have to go to the immigration office to submit for your blue card application. Once this is done, you will receive your Blue Card within 3 to 4 weeks.

cheers,
Shyam.

Hi Guys,

Thanks everyone to share with useful information regarding to Blue Card visa.

In my situation I still waiting for visa to go to Germany...I am planing to live in Augsburg. Should I apply for Blue card in Augsburg city? (maybe somebody know special website or forms which I have to fill)
And which documents I need to get Blue card, when I reach Germany?

Thank in advance,

Nika.

Hi Hash,

How many days German Entry visa you got from German Consulate?

Best,
Sophie

The entry visa would be normally valid for 3 months and you have to apply for residence permit during this time.

Hi Sophie,

My entry visa was for six months.

Hash

Hi Guys,

Who have already got a Blue card? How many days will take a process to get it?

Thanks!

Nika.

Hi All,

I want to apply for Blue card. however I can see condiion as need to have job offer before applying for it. So could anyone reply how to search jobs in Germany and get calls being in India. And also howz IT market in QA field.

Thanks in advance,

Hi NIka,

How are you?
have you got the visa yet?
Had you applied in mumbai,

Even i had applied from there (MUmbai) on 20th Dec, its been 7 week no reply from embassy.

wht about you ? you had some luck ?

Hope we all get reply soon, as patience is runing down

tc man

keep updating

and any one else whoes is reading this post, please can you suggest what should we do

@rzdezyns

To which city in Germany are you going to?

@cebit

i am going to munich

Hi, 

My experience had been good during the application process

Jan 03, 2013   applied for the visa at Mumbai Consulate
Jan 25, 2013   got a mail from the consultant at Germany that my visa and work permit approved
Jan 28, 2013  got a call from Mumbai consulate to submit passport for stamping
Jan 30, 2013 submittted passport in the morning
Jan 30, 2012 evening got back my passport

My employer hired RSB relocations as the consultant and probably that helped. Regarding Blue card still not sure. It will be clear once i reach there. 

Congrats!! Bikash. To which city are you going to?

I am goin to Hanau

Hi,

Here is my case: The Embassy processed the employment visa but said they don't check the "Blue Card" status. They sent the file to the local Foreigner's Office.
This office checked my employment contract and verified that I am eligible for Blue Card.
Then the Embassy gave me a visa and said "verbally" that you are eligible for BC when you go to the Foreigner's Office (ABH).
Once in Germany I went to the ABH and they approved BC without having to make any specific request to that effect.

To conclude, BC always in the hands of the clerk in the ABH who handles your file. No questions asked. Their decision is final and binding. The Consulate/Embassy has no say in this matter.

Finally completed the whole process and have now received the Blue Card. The overall timeline looks like this:

Mid-August: Employer files for pre-approval (Vorabzustimmung) at Munich Alien's office.
4 Sept: Visa Application submitted at Mumbai Consulate
14 Sept: Visa-pre-approval (Vorabzustimmung) faxed from Munich Alien's office to Mumbai Consulate.
26 Sept: Consulate receives approval 
27 Sept: Passport submitted for stamping
2 Oct: Passport received 
3 Oct: Arrived in Germany
5 Oct: Got residence registration done. Officially a Münchener now!
4 Feb: Appointment for electronic work/residence permit
28 Feb: Blue Card received

I had a long wait for the Blue Card appointment, but that worked in my favour since the Blue Card has a validity of 4 years from date of application, so I received the Blue Card valid till 3 Feb 2017. If I had applied in October, I would have received the Blue Card valid only till October 2016.

Also, the Blue Card specifically mentions my employer and says that I cannot work for anybody else or on my own.

Hi,

How did you know the date that on 14th september the pre aproval was faxed? Did you get to know from your employer?

Thanks.

Hi 1rajaryan2,

I was informed by my relocation consultant that the pre-approval was faxed on 14th Sept. The relocation consultant was constantly in touch with the Munich Foreigner/Alien's office.

Hash

hi  rhythm 7 can u please tell me about the condition of passport validity i.e."The passport should have a minimum validity of 12 months beyond the date of return from the Schengen territory" .
have u applied for the visa and what was embassys reply on passport validity issue?