Route: skilled worker and Blue Card

Blue Card thresholds 2026, IT without a degree, settlement, recognition of Singapore degrees and diplomas.

Use this route if you have a qualification and a qualified job offer in Germany. Apply for the visa at the embassy before you travel (Visa and embassy; embassy: employment, Blue Card).

No "any job" shortcut for Singaporeans. Citizens of some countries (for example the US, Japan, Korea) can be approved for any employment under § 26 (1) BeschV. Singapore is not on that list (§ 26 BeschV), so you need one of the routes below.

EU Blue Card (§ 18g AufenthG)

Regular: €50,700 gross a year (2026). No approval of the Federal Employment Agency (BA) needed.
Lower threshold: €45,934.20 with BA approval for shortage occupations and for graduates within 3 years of their degree.
IT without a degree (§ 18g (2)): ICT managers and professionals (ISCO 133 and 25) with at least 3 years of relevant experience in the last 7 years, lower threshold, BA approval.
Degree: a recognised foreign degree or one comparable to a German one, see Recognition.

Source: § 18g AufenthG; thresholds from the Make it in Germany portal and the BMI notice BAnz AT 18.12.2025 B3 (€45,934.20).

Other skilled-worker permits

§ 18a (vocational qualification) and § 18b (academic degree): recognised qualification, qualified job offer, BA approval where required (§ 18a, § 18b). Polytechnic diplomas: see Recognition.
Recognition partnership (§ 16d (3)): you start working while recognition is completed; German at A2 and an agreement with the employer.
First permit at age 45 or over: salary at least about €55,770 or adequate pension provision. Basis § 18 (2) Nr. 5 AufenthG / § 1 (2) BeschV; not for the Blue Card. The embassy page still shows an older figure (€46,860); check before relying on either amount.
Regulated professions (doctors, nurses, teachers, lawyers) need German recognition or a licence first.

Settlement permit (§ 18c)

Skilled workers: 36 months of pension contributions; 24 months after German vocational training or study.
Blue Card: 27 months with German A1, 21 months with B1. Further conditions in § 9 (2). Source: § 18c.

Steps

Job contract; recognition or anabin printout.
Employer may start the accelerated procedure (§ 81a) in Berlin.
Visa appointment at the embassy; about 6–8 weeks.
In Berlin: register and apply for the permit (After arrival).

Men liable for National Service: exit permit. Family: Family.

A question this page does not answer? Contact us. Free orientation only, no legal advice for individual cases.