🇩🇪 Germany — German Embassy Seoul / Ausländerbehörde

Germany EU Blue Card — Korean Documents Required

The EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU) is Germany's primary work visa pathway for non-EU professionals with recognized university degrees. The German Embassy in Seoul lists two conditions: a foreign university degree that is recognized in Germany or comparable to a German degree (checked in ANABIN), and an employment contract or concrete job offer for a position that matches the qualification. It asks for a printout showing the comparability of both the university and the degree, and for all documents in the original. Its work visa pages mention neither an apostille nor a German translation for degree documents. Where the embassy does state an apostille is on Korean family documents, when family members accompany or join you.

Required Korean Documents

University Diploma

학위증명서Required

What counts is proof that the degree is comparable to a German one. The embassy asks for proof of qualification (university degree) in the original plus anabin printouts for the university and the degree, and mentions neither an apostille nor a translation. If anabin is not enough, you need a Statement of Comparability (Zeugnisbewertung) from the ZAB, the Central Office for Foreign Education at the KMK. The ZAB says an apostille or certified copy is generally not needed and a simple scan is sufficient. The embassy may ask for further documents in individual cases.

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May Also Be Required

Academic Transcript

성적증명서

Not named on the embassy's work visa list, which asks for proof of qualification (university degree, further training, work experience). If you apply for a ZAB Statement of Comparability, the Pre-Check checklist tells you which documents and translations are needed; the ZAB generally accepts a simple scan.

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Basic Certificate (Birth Certificate)

기본증명서

Not on the embassy's list for the Blue Card applicant. It comes up when a child accompanies or joins you: the embassy's family reunification page gives the child's 기본증명서 and 가족관계증명서 with apostille as its example. Apostilles on Korean public documents are issued by the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA).

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Family Relations Certificate

가족관계증명서

For accompanying family (spouse and minor children), the embassy asks for the family register document in the original with an apostille and a German translation. Its family reunification page gives the 혼인관계증명서 (marriage relations certificate) with apostille for a spouse, and the 기본증명서 and 가족관계증명서 with apostille for a child. Apostilles on Korean public documents are issued by the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA).

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Step-by-Step Process

1
Secure an employment contract or a concrete job offer for a position that matches your qualification. The minimum salary and the rules for particular occupations change — check the current figures with the German Embassy and Make it in Germany
2
Look up both your university and your degree in the anabin database (anabin.kmk.org). The university should show 'H+' and the degree 'entspricht' or 'gleichwertig' — print both results
3
If your university or degree is not in anabin, or the university shows 'H+/-' and your degree is not listed under it, apply to the ZAB for a Statement of Comparability. An apostille is generally not needed; a simple scan is sufficient
4
Choose where to apply: at the German Embassy in Seoul before departure, or, as a Korean national, enter Germany without a visa and apply at the Ausländerbehörde of your place of residence within the set period. The embassy recommends contacting that Ausländerbehörde before you travel
5
Submit your documents in the original with the anabin printouts or the ZAB Statement of Comparability. Ask the receiving office before you apply whether it wants a translation of any Korean-language document
6
After arrival, register your address (Anmeldung) at the local Einwohnermeldeamt — check the deadline with the city where you will live
7
For a German settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) later on, check the current official rules on the required period of Blue Card employment and German language level

Tips & Common Mistakes

Check the anabin database before starting your document preparation — 'H+' rates the university, not the degree, so look up the degree separately. If you are unsure the result is enough, ask the office that will receive your application (the embassy or the Ausländerbehörde)
The salary threshold for the Blue Card changes annually — confirm the current threshold with the German Embassy or your employer's HR
German translation rules depend on the receiving authority — the embassy can confirm a Korean/German translation you bring, while some authorities (for example courts) only accept a translator sworn in Germany (vereidigter Übersetzer), who must be commissioned in Germany
If family members come with you, their family documents need an apostille and a German translation. The embassy's page still names the Korean foreign ministry as the issuer, but apostilles on Korean public documents are now issued by the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA)
The Blue Card issued in Germany is only valid in Germany; working in other EU countries requires separate work authorization
Regulated professions need a separate professional recognition procedure — a ZAB Statement of Comparability does not replace it

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my Korean degree need to be formally recognized before I can get a Blue Card?

You need to show that your Korean degree is comparable to a German university degree. Look up both your university and your degree at anabin.kmk.org. 'H+' is a rating of the university; the degree must separately be rated 'entspricht' or 'gleichwertig'. If both results come out that way, you submit the printouts as proof. If your university or degree is not in anabin, or the university shows 'H+/-' and your degree is not listed under it, you need a Statement of Comparability from the ZAB. Regulated professions need a separate professional recognition procedure, which a Statement of Comparability does not replace.

What type of German translation is required for my Korean diploma?

It depends on the authority that receives it. The German Embassy's work visa pages ask for degree documents in the original and do not mention a translation. German authorities often ask for a German translation of Korean documents, and the embassy can confirm that a Korean/German translation you bring matches the original. Some authorities (for example courts) only accept a translation by a translator sworn in Germany (vereidigter Übersetzer), who must be commissioned in Germany. The Federal Foreign Office says each authority decides at its own discretion whether a translation made abroad can be used, so ask the receiving office first.

Can I apply for the German Blue Card from Seoul or do I need to be in Germany?

Both routes are open. You can apply at the German Embassy in Seoul before you leave Korea. Alternatively, Korean nationals can enter Germany without a visa and apply for the residence permit directly at the Ausländerbehörde of their place of residence within the set period. The embassy recommends contacting that Ausländerbehörde before you travel. On this route that office decides the document list and format, so also confirm with it the deadline and when you may start working.

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🇩🇪 All apostille services for Germany

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