Germany work visa from Nigeria
Last checked: 2026-09-16
Rules and salary thresholds can change. Check the official source before applying.
Can a Nigerian get a work visa for Germany?
Yes, a Nigerian citizen may apply if the requirements of a German employment route are met. For the work visa for qualified professionals, the core issues are your qualification, the job offer and whether the position counts as qualified employment.
Having a job offer does not automatically mean the visa will be granted. The job and documents still need to meet the official rules.
Main requirements for the qualified-professional route
According to the German Federal Government portal:
- Your foreign vocational qualification must be recognised in Germany, or your academic qualification must be comparable to a German degree.
- You need a specific job offer from an employer in Germany.
- The position must be qualified employment. Basic auxiliary work is not sufficient for this route.
- If the profession is regulated, you need the required professional licence.
- The Federal Employment Agency will normally check whether the employment conditions match those offered to workers in Germany.
The job does not always need to match your qualification exactly. A professional licence may still be required for a regulated profession.
Special rule for people over 45
If you are over 45 and will work in Germany for the first time, an additional salary or pension-provision condition applies. The official 2026 page states a gross annual salary threshold of €55,770, unless adequate pension provision can be shown. This figure changes, so check it again immediately before applying.
Documents to investigate
Your final checklist depends on the German mission and your case. Common areas include:
- passport;
- visa application documents;
- recognised qualification or evidence of comparability;
- professional licence where required;
- specific employment offer or contract;
- employment-related form requested for the procedure;
- health-insurance evidence;
- other civil documents requested by the responsible authority.
Do not submit a generic checklist copied from a commercial blog. Use the official application route for your residence location.
Step-by-step
- Confirm your profession and whether it is regulated.
- Check recognition or comparability of your qualification.
- Obtain a genuine offer for qualified employment.
- Compare your situation with the official visa requirements.
- Prepare the documents requested in the official portal.
- Apply through the German Consular Services Portal or the route indicated by the responsible German mission.
- Keep your application number and copies of all documents.
Common mistakes
- Treating unskilled or auxiliary work as qualified employment.
- Assuming every foreign certificate is automatically recognised.
- Paying for a fake job offer.
- Using a visitor visa as a plan to start work.
- Using an old salary threshold.
- Ignoring professional licensing for healthcare and other regulated work.