Blue Card Application in Frankfurt – Complete Guide

To apply for an EU Blue Card in Germany, you need a university degree and a job offer that aligns with your qualifications. This visa is for non-EU citizens who want to work in a skilled profession in Germany. Blue Card Application in Frankfurt is a structured process that helps skilled professionals work and live in Germany. This guide covers required documents, appointments, and practical tips to ensure a smooth application

Eligibility and Requirements

• Salary: There is a minimum salary threshold you must meet, which varies based on whether your profession is in a shortage occupation (e.g., natural scientists, engineers) or a standard field. This minimum amount changes annually. Variable bonuses and special payments are not considered part of the required salary. Use our Blue Card Eligibility Calculator Germany 2025 to instantly check if your salary meets the requirements for the EU Blue Card. See if you qualify today.
• Employment: You must have a binding job offer in Germany before applying. The job must be your primary purpose for staying and must be directly related to your university degree. Once issued, your residence permit will explicitly state that you are allowed to work.

Application Process

• Visa: You generally must enter Germany with a specific visa, which you should apply for at the German embassy in your home country. Some nationalities, however, are exempt and can enter without a visa and apply for the residence permit after arrival.
• After Entry: Once in Germany, the first step is to register your place of residence. You must then apply for a residence permit at the local foreigners authority within the validity of your entry visa or within a set number of days if you were exempt from the visa requirement.

Permit Duration

The EU Blue Card is typically valid for up to four years. If your employment contract is for a shorter duration, the card will usually be issued for the length of your contract plus an additional three months.

See the full list of requirements here: Criteria

Step 1: Starting your online application

1. Visit Ausländerbehörde Frankfurt am Main website
2. Find and click on Ich möchte einen Antrag stellen (I would like to make a request).
3. Find and click on Arbeitnehmer + Familienangehörige (Employee + Family members).
4. There you will see Blaue Karte-EU (Blue Card-EU), click on it.
5. Review the checklist. Prepare all the documents in the required format. Once you are ready, click on ANTRAGSTELLUNG (APPLICATION) to start your application.

Step 2: Receive confirmation and prepare documents

Once you have applied, you’ll receive a confirmation email with:

• Appointment date
• Required document lists, which usually includes
  • Passport
  • Fiktionsbescheinigung (if you have one)
  • Biometric photo
• A one time fee

Tip: Keep both the digital and printed copies ready. It saves time at the counter.

Step 3: Biometric appointment – Bring documents and choose pickup location

On the day of the appointment, you are expected to bring all the documents mentioned in the email (step 2). After the verification is complete, you will receive a new Fiktionsbescheinigung (temporary residence certificate) confirming your legal stay while your card is processed.

You will also be asked to choose where to pick up your Blaue Karte-EU (Blue Card-EU).

• Zentrales Bürgeramt (Central office)
• Your local Bürgeramt (Office near your home, usually the fastest)

Great job, you have finally completed you appointment. Now here is the part most people miss.

Step 4: Booking your appointment to collect the Blue Card

Usually in about 4-5 weeks, you will receive a letter by post informing you:

• The status of your residence card.
• Where you should go to pick it up (Bürgeramt).

It is important to schedule another appointment to collect your Blue Card, as the letter only tells you where to pick your residence card from and not when.

Book your appointment

1. Visit Citizen’s Offices – Frankfurt am Main website
2. Click on ONLINE-TERMINVEREINBARUNG (ONLINE APPOINTMENT).
3. After that click on Abholung von Dokumenten/ PIN-Management (nur separat buchbar) (Document Pickup / Pin Management – only book separately).
4. Then choose Abholung Personalausweis oder Reisepass (Pickup of ID card or Passport).
5. Click Next and choose your preferred Bürgeramt location along with date and time.

Make sure you bring your passport to this appointment and collect your Blue Card.

Congratulations! You have now completed the process and officially hold your own Blue card.

Bonus tips

• Save digital and paper copies of all your documents
• Punctuality is advisable; please arrive early for all your appointments.
• Carry extra biometric photos, just in case.

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• Blue Card Eligibility Calculator Germany 2025 – Check If You Qualify
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⚠️ Important Note
The steps and requirements described here are based on the current process in Frankfurt am Main. Immigration rules, fees, and document checklists can change at any time. Always double-check the official Ausländerbehörde Frankfurt am Main website before applying. Don’t rely only on this guide.