nfjgnlsdfjgwölrwfvnwv

Counting Pre-Blue Card Employment Toward Permanent Residency in Germany

I graduated from a university in Germany and subsequently received a Job Seeker Visa under §20 Abs. 3 Nr. 1. I began full-time employment and started paying taxes on 15 October 2023. On 15 July 2024, I was granted the EU Blue Card.

My question is: Will the 9 months of employment prior to receiving the Blue Card count toward requirement for permanent residency, given that I was already employed, earning above the Blue Card salary threshold, and making full tax and social security contributions during that period?

9 Comments

Reply (9)

My_Community_Managerin

Dear @nfjgnlsdfjgwölrwfvnwv thank you for reaching out to us!

Unfortunately, I cannot give you a definite answer, as each federal state and foreigners department handles these cases a bit differently. For example, in Berlin, the entire period during which you meet the Blue Card requirements, even if you hadn’t received the card, is generally counted. To be sure, it is best to get a confirmation from your responsible foreigners department.

Please note that you also have other options: Since you hold a German university degree, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency after just 2 years as a skilled worker. This would allow you to apply in mid of October this year.

Alternatively, since you are a Blue Card holder, you also have 2 options here. In case you have a B1 language certificate, you can apply for permanent residency after 21 months. With an A1 certificate, the waiting period would be 27 months. You can find more information about permanent residency on Handbook Germany.

It might also be helpful to contact a local migration counseling center. They often have more practical experience dealing with the foreigners department in your area and can support you with the process. You look for a local counseling center on the website from BAMF or let me know where you currently live, so I can have a look for you. In case you are under 27 years old, you can also contact the Youth migration service.

Happy to get your feedback! Please let me know if you have any further questions.

nfjgnlsdfjgwölrwfvnwv

Hello,

Thank you for getting back to me.

I currently live in Bremen and have tried reaching out to the Foreign Office here. Unfortunately, I haven’t received any response to my emails, and every time I called, I was kept on hold without being able to speak to anyone. As a result, I’m still unclear about my current situation.

My_Community_Managerin

Dear @nfjgnlsdfjgwölrwfvnwv I'm sorry to hear that you haven't been able to reach the foreigners department so far. I also contacted them, but unfortunately, they couldn't provide any information without looking into your specific case (file number, name, date of birth).

So, they aren't giving general information about whether previous periods, in which you already met the Blue Card requirements, would count. Maybe you want to try call them again or in case you already gathered all the required documents for your application, book an appointment in the next months, since you are very likely to be eligible to apply from October anyways.

I hope you will reach them soon and get the information you will need. There are also some migration counseling centers in Bremen You could consult one and get their local support: https://bamf-navi.bamf.de/en/Themen/Beratungsstellen/?coord=487227.5880699&

Happy to get your feedback and please let me know if you have further questions.

nfjgnlsdfjgwölrwfvnwv

Hello,
I found this:
https://handbookgermany.de/en/forum/thread/how-much-time-will-it-take-get-pr

The person had similar situation.

My_Community_Managerin

We will ask a counselor again and will get back to you as soon as we receive an answer.

nfjgnlsdfjgwölrwfvnwv

Hello,
I hope you're doing well. I wanted to check in and see if there are any updates. Thank you!

My_Community_Managerin

Dear @nfjgnlsdfjgwölrwfvnwv thank you for your patience.

Indeed, our counselor also said that you are actually entitled to the permanent residence permit when you have the plastic card as a Blue Card holder, i.e. the date that is noted on your residence permit.
However, as I mentioned at the beginning, there are exceptions with the authorities, which is why it is safer if you obtain the approval of the foreigners department or wait until October and then submit your application for a permanent residency.

I am sorry that there is no definite answer, since this is unfortunately depending on the authorities and the case worker.
Additionally, you can prepare your documents for now and request/book an appointment already - in a few months October is coming :)

Wish you all the best. In case you have further questions, please let me know.

nfjgnlsdfjgwölrwfvnwv

Hello,

Thank you very much for your response. I just wanted to confirm am I definitely eligible to apply after 24 months, and will there be no issue because of the 9 months I spent under my previous residence title before receiving the EU Blue Card?

My_Community_Managerin

Thank you for getting back to me, @nfjgnlsdfjgwölrwfvnwv

Since you mentioned that you completed your university degree in Germany, you are eligible to apply for permanent residency after 24 months as a skilled worker. You will need to provide proof of your social security contributions and a B1 language certificate. You can find more information on Handbook Germany.
This means that your eligibility will be based on your German university degree rather than on holding a Blue Card.

Wish you all the best! Please get back to me, if you have further questions.

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