Western Balkans Work Visa

The Westbalkanregelung is a dedicated work visa route for citizens of six Western Balkan countries. Unlike most work visas, it does not require a German-recognized degree or vocational qualification. If you have a concrete job offer from a German employer and meet the other conditions, you can work in any occupation.

Germany introduced this route to ease labor shortages in sectors such as construction, hospitality, and care. The regulation was made permanent and took effect on 1 January 2021. Demand is very high, so embassy appointment waits are often 6 to 12 months or longer.

You cannot use this route to enter Germany and look for work. You need an employer and Arbeitsagentur approval before applying at the embassy.

For qualification-based work visas, see Skilled Worker Visa in Germany. For entering to search for work without a job offer, see Opportunity Card in Germany. Compare all routes: Which Visa Do You Need in Germany.

Who can use this route

The regulation applies to citizens of:

• Albania
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Kosovo
• North Macedonia
• Montenegro
• Serbia

You must hold a passport valid for your planned stay and be able to show health insurance coverage for Germany.

What you and your employer must provide

Your requirements

• Citizenship of one of the eligible countries
• A concrete job offer from a German employer (not a vague letter of intent)
• No serious criminal record
• No receipt of benefits under the Asylum Seeker Benefits Act (Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz, AsylbLG) in Germany in the past 24 months (BeschV Section 26(2)). This is a specific asylum-welfare restriction, not a general ban on having received Grundsicherungsgeld or other SGB II support.
• Documents required by your local German embassy or consulate (passport, forms, insurance proof, and others as listed for your case)

Your employer’s requirements

Your employer must:

• Obtain Vorabzustimmung (prior approval) from the Arbeitsagentur (Federal Employment Agency)
• Show that no suitable German or EU workers are available for the position
• Offer pay and working conditions that meet German standards
• Complete their part of the visa paperwork on time

Key difference from the skilled worker route. No professional qualification or recognition procedure is required. The job itself can be any role, as long as the Arbeitsagentur approves the hire.

Arbeitsagentur approval, quotas, and waiting times

What the Arbeitsagentur checks

The Arbeitsagentur reviews whether:

• No suitable workers from Germany or the EU are available
• Pay and conditions match normal German standards for the role
• The employer and job offer are legitimate

Your employer applies through the local Arbeitsagentur office. You generally need this approval before you can book your embassy visa appointment.

Annual quota

Germany issues up to 50,000 visas per year under this regulation (raised from an earlier cap of 25,000). Even with the higher quota, demand often exceeds supply.

Why waits are long

The main bottleneck is usually embassy appointment availability, not only document processing. As soon as you have a signed job offer and Arbeitsagentur approval, ask your embassy how to book the earliest slot and prepare your file in parallel.

After you arrive in Germany

1. Register your address (Anmeldung). Do this within two weeks of moving in. See Anmeldung.
2. Collect your residence permit. Visit the local Ausländerbehörde (foreigners’ office) with your registration documents and visa papers.

Employer tie and job changes. Under current rules, you are generally tied to the employer who sponsored you at the start. Changing employers usually requires a new Arbeitsagentur approval (including the priority check). Approvals under the permanent Westbalkanregelung do not automatically grant unrestricted labor-market access under BeschV Section 9 after four years. Plan job changes around a fresh approval, not an automatic free-access date.

Long-term status. Permanent residence and citizenship remain possible if you meet the standard residency, language, income, and contribution requirements under current law.

Advantages and limitations

Advantages.

• No formal qualification requirement
• Any job can qualify if approved
• Clear, employer-led process
• Permanent legal basis (not a temporary pilot program)

Limitations.

• Very long waits for embassy appointments in many countries
• Employer tie and new approval needed for most job changes
• High competition for limited annual visas
• No entry for job hunting: you need an offer before applying

Next steps

1. Secure a concrete job offer from a German employer.
2. Ask the employer to apply for Arbeitsagentur Vorabzustimmung.
3. Wait for written approval confirmation.
4. Book your embassy appointment as early as possible.
5. Gather documents against your consulate’s checklist and attend the interview.

Then travel and follow After you arrive in Germany above.

Useful links

• Make it in Germany: Western Balkans Regulation