Working in Germany. How a Belarusian can legally find employment

Employment in Germany

The basis for obtaining a work visa is a signed employment contract with an employer OR an offer of a specific job. After receiving these documents, an application for a work permit and visa to Germany is submitted. The embassy then forwards your application (for approval or rejection) to the German Foreign Ministry. If your application is approved, the embassy will issue a visa and official permit. A work permit is mandatory for working in Germany.
More detailed information on the website of the German Embassy in the Republic of Belarus: https://minsk.diplo.de/by-be/service/00-VisaEinreise

The work permit in Germany is issued by the Foreigners' Authority.
For legal employment in Germany, you must have a national visa of category D. The national visa is issued strictly in accordance with the grounds.

Grounds for obtaining a national visa of category D:

- Performing dependent work
- EU Blue Card
- Working as an IT specialist with work experience in this profession
- Working as a scientist/researcher, research workers
- Running a business and working in freelance professions
- Working as artists/performers
- Working as a truck driver and bus driver
- Visa for entry for the purpose of recognizing foreign professional qualifications in Germany
- Visa for entry for the purpose of job search
- Going to work as a domestic worker and nanny (Au-Pair)
- Going to voluntary (volunteer) service
- Internship
- Performing activities primarily for religious reasons
- Professional athletes and professional coaches

List of documents for obtaining a national visa to Germany

1. Two applications filled out in German and personally signed applications for a national visa.
2. 3 up-to-date biometric passport-sized photographs taken no earlier than 6 months ago.
3. Passport with 2 copies of the personal data page.
4. Employment contract or job offer.
5. Proof of qualifications — diplomas, certificates, grades, etc.
6. Proof of residence.
7. Resume indicating qualifications and work experience.
8. Health insurance.
10. Cover letter explaining the purpose and duration of your stay.
11. Autobiography in table form in German or English.
For more detailed information about the lists of documents for applying for a national visa for various reasons, you will find it here: https://germania.diplo.de/ru-ru/service/05-VisaEinreise/langfristigerAufenthalt/-/1611410?openAccordionId=item-1611410-4-panel

Applying for a visa to search for work in Germany

This visa provides interested foreign specialists with the opportunity to come to Germany for a maximum period of up to 6 months to look for work that matches their qualifications. If you find an employer within the specified period, you do not need to leave Germany. All further formalities for obtaining permission to reside and work are processed directly at the migration services at the place of residence in Germany. During your stay for the purpose of job search, labor activity is prohibited, except for trial hours (up to 10 hours per week). Information on the recognition of foreign qualifications can be found at the link: https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/ru/

Medical care in Germany during employment

Health insurance in Germany is mandatory, that is, every person residing in the country must be insured. In Germany, there are two systems: public health insurance (GKV) and private health insurance (PKV).
Public health insurance works on the principle of solidarity: contributions depend on the financial capabilities of the participants, and medical services are the same for everyone. Missing contributions are compensated for by taxes. Voluntary additional insurance can complement the range of services provided under public health insurance. Doctors and hospitals are settled directly with insurance companies.

Where can you go for protection of labor rights in Germany?

1. Website of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs www.bmas.de/DE/Startseite/start.html

2. IQ Fair Integration Center website. Advisory centers for labor and social law issues (based on territoriality) https://www.faire-integration.de/de/topic/411.ich-bin-bereits-in-deutschland.html

Email: ffi@iq-consult.de

3. International Organization for Migration website. IOM programs on the return and reintegration of human trafficking victims https://germany.iom.int/iom-germany

Email: iom-germany@iom.int

https://www.returningfromgermany.de/en/ - information portal on returning home.
+ 49 30 2787780 Berlin
+ 49 911 43000 Nuremberg

4. Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency. Protection from discrimination in Germany Handbook.

Information support https://www.antidiskriminierungsstelle.de/SharedDocs/downloads/DE/publikationen/Refugees/fluechtlingsbroschuere_russisch.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=3

5. Information portal of the German Government on the recognition of professional qualifications.

Information support https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/ru/chasto-zadavaemye-voprosy.php

Links to websites and information in Russian:
Brochure for migrants from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees https://www.migration-gesundheit.bund.de/fileadmin/Dateien/pdfs_neu_2022/gesundheitswesen/willkommen-in-deutschland_russ.pdf