germany D-visa:
ICT card

Under the European Union’s Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) scheme, businesses or undertakings established outside the EU may second managers, specialists and trainees to subsidiaries/ branches within the EU for temporary assignments.

The ICT Card is always issued in the EU Member State in which the longest total residence for intra-corporate transfer is planned.

British citizens enjoy preferred access to the German labour market and may be seconded to Germany without the formalities of an ICT card. This also applies to citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Korea (Republic) and the United States of America. All other nationals may apply for an ICT card.

Before being transferred from a company branch located outside of the EU to a branch in Germany, you must have been employed by that company for at least 6 months.

The following requirements must also be met in order for an ICT Card to be issued in Germany:

• The applicant must have an employment contract with the sending undertaking which has been established for at least six months at the beginning of the intra-corporate transfer and is valid for its duration.
• The applicant must obtain an assignment letter if the transfer is not regulated in the employment contract.
• The intra-corporate transfer must take place at an entity of the same undertaking or group of undertakings.
• The intra-corporate transfer must last at least 90 days.
• The applicant must be working in the host entity in Germany as a manager, specialist or trainee.
• The applicant must submit proof of professional qualifications.
• Consent must be given by the Federal Employment Agency. Consent is generally obtained via the German diplomatic mission or the immigration authority.

An ICT card can only be applied for with a German Mission abroad. Please apply directly with the German Mission having jurisdiction for your place of residence. In some countries, appointments need to be booked with a visa application centre  

The employer can facilitate visa processing by applying for pre-approval from the Federal Employment Agency.

If your application for an ICT card is successful, you will be issued a limited validity entry visa. Once you have arrived in Germany, you will need to register your new residence with the local authorities (Meldebehörde) within 2 weeks of having moved in and apply for your Electronic Residence Permit with your local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde). We strongly recommend contacting the local immigration office as soon as possible after your arrival in Germany in order to secure a timely appointment. 

Currently, the fee to apply for a German ICT Card is €75.00, payable in local currency. Please note, visa fees are subject to change at short notice.  

Most applications for a German ICT Card are processed within 4 weeks from the date of submission. Please note, expedited services are not available for this category.

The ICT Card is a non-permanent residence permit. In Germany, an ICT card can be issued to employees, managers or specialists for a duration of 3 years. For trainees, the duration is limited to a maximum of 1 year. An ICT card cannot be extended in Germany.

note:

This page is intended for informational purposes only. Immigration rules are subject to change and may vary based on your individual circumstances. For up-to-date advice and guidance, please contact Smith Stone Walters.