Welcome
IT Specialists
As an IT specialist, special visa conditions apply to you. Information on this can be found here.
Important information
You can submit this application online via Consular Services Portal. This provides you with preliminary feedback on whether your documents are complete. Your appointment will then proceed quickly and efficiently.
General Information
All information regarding the scheduling of appointments can be found here .
| Visa Category | |
| National Visa | Fee |
| Regular | 75,- € |
| Reduced | 37,50,- € |
Visa fees must be paid either by international credit card (Visa / Mastercard) or in cash in RWF at the current exchange rate.
The duration of the entire visa process varies significantly: it can take from a few working days to several months. We cannot guarantee a specific processing time, as domestic German authorities must be involved during the process, and the German Embass in Kigali has no influence over their processing times. The final review and decision by the German Embassy can only take place after the feedback from Germany has been received. Please plan for a processing time of approximately three months. In individual cases, it may take longer.
The Embassy in Kigali reviews and decides on your application. In doing so, the legal requirements are always examined on a case-by-case basis based on the submitted application documents. Depending on the purpose of the stay, this review may take from a few working days to several months. The processing time increases if documents require more intensive scrutiny or if further research regarding the applicant or the actual purpose of the stay is necessary.
Regarding inquiries: For data protection reasons, detailed information can only be provided to the applicant, their legal representative, or a representative with written power of attorney. Other inquiries from third parties unfortunately cannot be answered. We ask for your understanding that the visa section is not reachable by telephone due to capacity constraints. However, you may send us a message at visa@kiga.diplo.de.
Exception: For applicants participating in the accelerated procedure for skilled workers, the processing time is generally three weeks after the application has been submitted. The processing time may be extended if additional documents are requested or if further questions must be clarified.
As a general rule, you must collect your passport in person.
Once a decision has been made on your application, you will be informed about the collection either via an email through the Consular Services Portal or by telephone.
Please check the website for information regarding public holidays on which the Embassy is closed.
Upon receiving your passport, please check that all details on the visa label are correct. Please notify us immediately of any errors so that we can issue a new visa. With a national visa, you may travel within the Schengen area. Everyone residing in Germany must be registered. You should do this at the residents' registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) or citizens' office (Bürgeramt) no later than two weeks after moving in. Please contact the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) in your place of residence in Germany well before your visa expires to apply for your residence permit.
If your visa application has been rejected, this may be for various reasons. These reasons will be stated in the notice of refusal.
Your guide to arriving in Germany: Make it in Germany
The overview of required documents indicates whether you must provide a language certificate. Currently recognized providers of language certificates are:
- Language certificates from the Goethe-Institut e.V.
- Language certificates from telc Gmbh
- Language certificates from the Austrian Language Diploma (ÖSD)
- “TestDaF” from the TestDaF-Institut e.V. (Institute of the FernUniversität in Hagen and the Ruhr-University Bochum, examination level from B2 CEFR onwards)
- Language certificates from the ECL Examination Centre
The certificate must not be older than 12 months at the time of application. If you have taken the examination in various modules/partial exams, all modules must have been completed with the same provider. Evidence of different exam parts from different providers is not sufficient.
The Embassy is aware of cases where language certificates have been issued or obtained fraudulently. The Embassy reserves the right to verify your German language skills. Insufficient German language proficiency may be a ground for the refusal of a visa application.
Information on this visa category
- Specialists from the IT sector can obtain a visa for employment even without formally recognized qualifications, provided you meet the following requirements:
- You have acquired at least two years of professional experience within the last five years that qualifies you to perform the employment sought in Germany.
- The gross annual salary is above the threshold (see salary thresholds and necessary financial requirements in the visa process), unless the employer is bound by a collective agreement and employs the foreign national under the applicable collective bargaining conditions.
- The intended employment in Germany must be qualified employment. Qualified employment requires skills, knowledge, and abilities acquired through a degree program or qualified vocational training.
- If you have completed a recognized vocational training or a degree in the IT sector, please apply for a visa for skilled workers with vocational training or a visa as a skilled worker with academic training.
An EU Blue Card is issued if the following requirements are met:
You have acquired at least three years of practical professional experience at a university level within the last seven years.
Your experience qualifies you to perform the intended employment in Germany, and this employment is appropriate for your qualifications.
The employment relationship provides for a duration of employment of at least 6 months.
Your gross annual salary is above the threshold.
| Application | Required Financial Means |
| Students | 11.904,- € / monthly payment: 992,- € |
| Applicants for studies | 9.819,- € / monthly payment: 1.091,- € |
| Vocational training | 1.048,- € (per month / gross) |
| EU Blue Card | |
| Academics with professional experience | 50.700,- € (per year) |
| Shortage occupations | 45.934,20 € (per year) |
| Recent graduates (within 3 years of university graduation) | 45.934,20 € (per year) |
| IT specialists | 45.934,20 € (per year) |
| Applicants over 45 years of age | |
| Skilled workers who do not meet the requirements for an EU Blue Card and have reached the age of 45 at the time of application must either prove a gross annual salary of at least 55% of the annual contribution assessment ceiling for the general pension insurance. Alternatively, adequate old-age provision must be proven (e.g., real estate, securities, insurance, etc.), unless a justified exceptional case exists. | 55.770,- € (per year) |
| Scientists and Researchers | |
| If your minimum salary for a 40-hour work week reaches this amount, your livelihood is considered secured. In this case, no further evidence is required. | 2.410,- € (per month, gross) |
| If remuneration of this amount is not available, the security of the livelihood must be proven by appropriate evidence, e.g., a scholarship or a blocked account. | 1.091,- € (per month, net) |
| IT specialists without formally recognized qualifications | |
| The gross annual salary must exceed this amount. Exception: Your employer is bound by a collective agreement and employs you according to the applicable collective bargaining conditions. | 45.630,- € (per year) |
| Au Pair | |
| The livelihood is considered secured if the au pair has this amount available, plus free health and long-term care insurance. This amount consists of pocket money (280 EUR per month) and a subsidy for a German language course (at least 70 EUR per month). | 350,- € (per month) |
| Voluntary Service | |
| The livelihood is considered secured if the volunteer has this amount available, plus free health and long-term care insurance. This amount consists of 380 EUR for housing costs, 173 EUR for meals, and 302 EUR for pocket money. A combination of cash and benefits in kind (e.g., free accommodation) is possible. | 855,- € (per month) |
| Internship | 992.- € (per month) |
| Language Course | 1.091.- € (per month) |
Required Documents
Please submit all necessary documents (see below). If an original document is available, it must be presented in addition to the required simple copy. Originals will be returned to you once the processing is complete. All documents not issued in German, English, or French must be submitted together with a translation. Missing documents or evidence may lead to the rejection of the application.
In your application form, please provide all information regarding your entry into and stay in Germany. Please complete this form in full, print it, and sign it yourself.
Link to the “VIDEX” form.
Two current biometric passport photos (45mm x 35mm). Information on biometric passport photos can be found here.
Please paste only one passport photo onto the application form and attach the second one separately.
The document must have at least two blank pages (in the event of a positive decision, your visa will be pasted here).
Proof of sufficient health insurance coverage for entry, valid from the requested date of entry and for a duration of at least three months.
If you are subject to compulsory statutory health insurance as an employee, please note that this only takes effect upon establishing residence in Germany and commencing employment. Since this does not apply immediately upon entry, additional private health insurance must be taken out until the employment begins and enrollment in the statutory health insurance is possible. Travel health insurance policies may exclude coverage in their terms and conditions if a long-term or permanent stay is planned. So-called “incoming insurance” may also contain such exclusions.
A tabular and complete CV, specifically outlining your previous education and, if applicable, professional experience.
The “Declaration of Employment ” form must be completed in full and submitted by the future employer.
If your employer has already obtained approval from the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) or the competent immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) in Germany before the start of the visa process, the processing time at the diplomatic mission will be significantly shortened. The pre-approval must be submitted as an original. If the visa application is submitted via the accelerated procedure for skilled workers or if an AZR number is specified on the pre-approval, a copy is sufficient. In individual cases, it may be necessary for us to request further documents from you to complete the final review of your application.
If your family members wish to apply for a visa together with you, you will find an overview of the visa categories and the required documents in the “Family” section of the visa page .
Please submit employment references or employer confirmations regarding your previous employment in the IT sector. The evidence must clearly show the specific tasks included in each of your roles.
If you have completed vocational training or a degree in the field of IT, please also submit your certificates.
Employment contract or a binding job offer including a description of duties, details on the gross annual salary, and information regarding required language skills.