Route: skilled worker, IT and EU Blue Card

Blue Card, IT specialists without a degree, skilled-worker permits, salary thresholds 2026.

This route needs a job offer from a German employer and a qualification Germany accepts.

EU Blue Card

• Regular threshold 2026: €50,700 gross a year.
• Lower threshold: €45,934.20 for shortage occupations and career starters; the Federal Employment Agency must approve.
• IT specialists without a degree (§ 18g (2) AufenthG): at least 3 years of professional experience within the last 7 years, at the lower threshold of €45,934.20.
• Second way for IT jobs: § 19c (2) with § 6 BeschV. For ICT occupations no qualification requirement applies there; you need at least 2 years of experience within the last 5 years and a salary of at least €45,630.
• Your degree must be German, recognised or comparable: an anabin printout or a ZAB Statement of Comparability, see Recognition.
• Settlement permit (§ 18c (2) AufenthG) after 27 months, or 21 months with German at B1.

Other permits

• § 18a (vocational qualification) and § 18b (degree): recognition in Germany, a job offer and, as a rule, approval of the Federal Employment Agency. Settlement permit (§ 18c (1)): 3 years with B1 and 36 months of pension contributions, or 2 years and 24 months after training or studies in Germany.
• Experience route (§ 19c (2) with § 6 BeschV) for non-regulated jobs: a state-recognised vocational qualification of at least 2 years of training, at least 2 years of experience within the last 5 years, salary of at least €45,630 (a collective agreement of the employer replaces only this €45,630 threshold; from age 45 at first consent €55,770 applies even then, unless adequate old-age provision is proven, § 18 (2) no. 5 AufenthG / § 1 (2) BeschV). Exception for ICT occupations: see above.

Steps

1. Check your degree in anabin; if needed apply to the ZAB: Recognition.
2. Find a job through the Federal Employment Agency job board and Make it in Germany. Beware of fake offers.
3. Documents: Documents. Russian rules: Leaving Russia.
4. Visa at the Embassy in Moscow: Visa application. Then After arrival.

Fast-track procedure (§ 81a)

Only the employer can start it, at LEA Berlin, with your power of attorney. The Embassy asks family members to book with the skilled worker.