Work and travel in
Germany
How to
apply
Who can apply?
To work in Germany through the Youth Mobility Visa, you must:
- be a Canadian citizen
- be 18-35 years old (inclusive), and
- have a valid Canadian passport
Other requirements may apply, check Germany’s website for more details.
What type of work visa do I need?
Germany Youth Mobility visa appointment delays
The wait time for a Youth Mobility visa in Germany is currently 4 to 6 months. To avoid delays, we strongly recommend that you wait until your visa is issued before leaving for Germany. Check Germany’s website for more information.
You need to apply for a Youth Mobility visa. This visa has 4 categories:
Category a
Young professionals who want additional training under a contract of employment to increase their knowledge of German culture and the German language.
Category b
Young Canadians who want to do an internship in Germany as part of their studies or training.
Category c
Registered post-secondary students who want to work in Germany during their academic vacation.
Category d (Working Holiday)
Young Canadians who want to travel to Germany and work temporarily to help finance their trip. This is known as a Working Holiday.
Do I need a formal job or internship offer?
Yes, you need a job offer (pre-arranged contract of employment) or a formal internship offer if you apply to:
- Category a (Young professionals)
- Category b (Internship)
No, you don’t need one if you apply to:
- Category c (Academic vacation)
- Category d (Working Holiday)
How long can I stay and work?
You can stay and work in Germany for up to 12 months.
You can participate in Germany’s Youth Mobility Program two times. Your second participation must be in a different category and at least one of the two participations must be in category a or category b.
Start your
Adventure
About Germany
Germany is found in the heart of Europe with diverse landscapes for you to explore. Every German city has something unique to offer. Go to Düsseldorf for fashion, Berlin for music, Hamburg for art and Munich for a great night out. If you’re more into sports you can enjoy skiing in the Alps or water sports at the beaches in Northern Germany.
Germany hosts various festivals that show off Germany’s tradition of bringing people together and celebrating including Oktoberfest, wine festivals and music festivals.
Germany has a large and diverse economy with a wide range of small and medium size enterprises. Strong industrial sectors include automotive, chemicals, green technologies, renewable energy and software.
Plan your trip
The best way to make sure your trip is the experience of a lifetime is to plan. Review our travel checklist to find out what you should know or do before travelling to and working in a foreign country.
Before you leave, remember to register as a Canadian abroad to receive notifications in case of an emergency while you are abroad or of a personal emergency at home. The service also enables you to receive important information before or during a natural disaster or civil unrest.
Recognized Organizations
Need help planning? One of IEC’s recognized organizations might be able to help you find a job, transportation, and provide travel advice.
Most recognized organizations charge a fee for their services.
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