Getting a work visa for Germany as a non-EU national is very achievable — but only if you apply to employers who actively sponsor. The "Visa Support" filter on our board shows exactly these companies.
What visa sponsorship covers
German employers who sponsor provide a signed job offer letter (Stellenangebot) which you use to apply for a National D visa at your local German embassy. Most non-EU skilled workers use this to obtain the EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU), which gives you permanent residency eligibility after just 21 months (or 33 months for lower salary thresholds).
EU Blue Card salary requirements (2026)
- General occupations: at least €45,300 gross/year
- Shortage occupations (IT, engineering, medicine): at least €35,300 gross/year
Which employers sponsor in Germany?
Large international corporations (SAP, Siemens, Zalando, Deutsche Bank, Allianz), Big Four consulting firms, and well-funded Berlin/Munich startups with dedicated HR teams are the most reliable visa sponsors. Small family-owned businesses rarely sponsor due to administrative overhead.
For the full step-by-step process, read our Visa Sponsorship Guide.