Germany Expands Work Visa Access for Pakistani Nationals Through Digital Portal

The German Embassy in Islamabad has launched a streamlined digital process to increase the number of work visa applications it can handle, significantly easing access for Pakistani professionals seeking employment opportunities in Germany.

New Digital System Eliminates Waiting Lists

As of June 2025, the Embassy has closed its traditional waiting lists for work visa appointments. Instead, applicants are now required to initiate their application via the Consular Services Portal at digital.diplo.de/visa.

"This change allows us to process a higher number of applications and reduce in-person delays at the Embassy," stated officials at the German Embassy in Islamabad.

Online Applications Open for All Work Visa Categories

Pakistani nationals can now apply online for a wide range of employment-based visa categories, including:

• Skilled Employment Visas
• EU Blue Card
• Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)
• Self-Employment Visas
• Visa for Recognition of Foreign Qualifications

The system uses a guided questionnaire to help applicants prepare complete and accurate documentation, reducing delays and increasing approval rates.

In-Person Appointment Still Required

Although much of the process is now online, applicants must attend an in-person appointment to:

• Verify identity
• Submit biometric data
• Pay visa fees

This updated system applies to Schengen and long-stay national visas, with the exception of the Opportunity Card, which follows a separate appointment process.

Germany Granted 80,000 Work Visas in First Half of 2024

According to the German Federal Foreign Office, Germany issued over 80,000 work visas in the first half of 2024. Of those, 40,000 were granted to skilled workers, marking a 3,000-visa increase compared to the same period in 2023.

This expansion reflects Germany’s urgent need to fill critical labor shortages. The German Economic Institute (IW) reports that the country currently has around 570,000 job vacancies, particularly in:

• Transportation & Logistics
• Manufacturing & Construction
• Healthcare
• Engineering
• IT and Software Development

"Many companies could produce more but lack the workforce to do so," the Institute noted.

Pakistani professionals now have a clearer, faster, and more accessible route to working in Germany—an opportunity that aligns with both countries' goals of economic cooperation and skilled migration.