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ICT Card Germany: HR Guide
As an HR professional, facilitating the transfer of employees from a non-EU branch to a German subsidiary is a key responsibility. The ICT Card Germany (Intra-Corporate Transfer Card or Intraunternehmens-Transfer-Karte) is a vital tool for this process. Governed by the EU ICT Directive and the German Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz), this residence permit enables managers, specialists, and trainees to work temporarily in Germany. This guide provides HR teams with a clear overview of the ICT Card, including eligibility, application steps, required documents, costs, and practical tips for smooth employee transfers, enriched with insights from the BAMF ICT FAQs.
What is the ICT Card Germany?
- The ICT Card is a temporary residence permit for non-EU employees transferred within the same company or corporate group to a German branch. It applies to three roles: Manager (managers), Spezialisten (specialists), and Auszubildende (trainees). Per BAMF, managers direct operations or departments, specialists possess rare expert knowledge, and trainees are graduates in supervised training programs. The permit is valid for up to three years for managers and specialists, and one year for trainees, ensuring compliance with German labor standards while supporting intra-company mobility. For HR, mastering this permit is essential for legal compliance and efficient relocation.
Eligibility Criteria for the ICT Card Germany
To qualify for the ICT Card, employees must meet these criteria:
- Employment Duration: Employed by the company (outside the EU) for at least six months prior to transfer, as confirmed by BAMF FAQs.
- Role: Assigned as a manager, specialist, or trainee in the German branch, with roles clearly defined (e.g., specialists need expertise critical to the company).
- Company Affiliation: Transfer must be within the same company or group of undertakings (Unternehmensgruppe).
- Duration: Assignment must exceed 90 days and not surpass three years (or one year for trainees).
- Salary Standards: Compensation and conditions must match those of comparable German employees (vergleichbare deutsche Arbeitnehmer), per German labor law.
Citizens of countries like the UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, and the US may enter Germany visa-free for 90 days and apply for other residence permits post-arrival. However, for intra-corporate transfers exceeding 90 days, the ICT Card is typically required unless a different permit (e.g., EU Blue Card) applies. Verify country-specific rules on the Federal Foreign Office website.
Application Process for the ICT Card
Guide your employee through these steps:
- Pre-Approval (Optional): Coordinate with the Federal Employment Agency (*Bundesagentur für Arbeit*) for pre-approval (Vorabzustimmung). Though optional, it can expedite processing.
- Visa Application: The employee applies for a national D visa at the German embassy or consulate in their home country, booking via the Federal Foreign Office visa portal.
- Arrival in Germany: Within two weeks of arrival, they must register their residence (Anmeldung) at the local Meldebehörde (details vary by municipality; check Germany’s official portal).
- Residence Permit: Apply for the ICT Card at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) within three months of arrival. Schedule early via the BAMF office locator.
For a detailed breakdown, visit *Make it in Germany*.
Requirements and Documents Needed
Prepare these documents for a successful application, aligned with BAMF guidance:
- Valid Passport: Issued within the last 10 years, with at least two blank pages.
- Application Form: Completed VIDEX form, signed twice (available at VIDEX).
- Passport Photos: Two biometric photos, taken within the last six months.
- Employment Contract: Valid for at least six months prior to transfer, detailing role, duration, and salary.
- Assignment Letter: Specifies job description, workplace, hours, and salary in Germany (BAMF notes this must reflect the intra-corporate transfer purpose).
- Health Insurance: Proof of coverage equivalent to German public health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung), with reasonable deductibles and no age-based termination.
- Qualifications: Copies of relevant academic or vocational credentials (e.g., degree for trainees, proof of expertise for specialists).
- Pre-Approval (if applicable): From the Federal Employment Agency.
The Ausländerbehörde may request additional documents, so keep originals handy. See BAMF’s residence permit guide for more.
Where to Apply and Appointment Details
- Outside Germany: Start at the German embassy or consulate in the employee’s home country. Find and book appointments via the Federal Foreign Office locator.
- In Germany: Apply at the local Ausländerbehörde post-arrival. Contact them immediately via the BAMF office locator, as wait times differ by city (e.g., Berlin vs. Munich).
HR Tip: Equip employees with a checklist and embassy contacts from the Federal Foreign Office to simplify the process.
Salary Levels for ICT Card Holders
There’s no fixed minimum salary, but compensation must align with German standards for similar roles to comply with labor laws and avoid undercutting local workers, as per BAMF FAQs. Check industry benchmarks on *Make it in Germany*.
Processing Time and Fees
- Processing Time: The visa and ICT Card process typically takes 4-10 weeks from submission. Pre-approval can shorten this to as little as 10 days, though delays may occur if documents are incomplete.
- Fees: The visa fee is €75 (payable in local currency, plus possible service fees), and the ICT Card permit fee is €100. Confirm current rates with the Federal Foreign Office or BAMF, as fees may adjust in 2025.
Additional Important Information
- Mobility: The ICT Card permits short-term work (up to 90 days in 180 days) in other EU countries without a separate permit. Longer stays require a Mobile ICT Card, per BAMF FAQs (see BAMF’s mobility rules).
- Cooling-Off Period: After expiration (three years for managers/specialists, one year for trainees), a six-month gap is required before reapplying, as mandated by the EU Directive.
- Family Reunification: Dependents (spouse, minor children) can join if they meet conditions like sufficient living space and income; include their documents in the initial visa application per Federal Foreign Office guidelines. BAMF confirms dependents get equivalent permits.
- Post-Arrival Compliance: Employees must register with the Meldebehörde within two weeks (check Germany’s official portal) and secure health insurance (Krankenversicherung) upon arrival.
Why HR Should Care About the ICT Card
The ICT Card streamlines global talent mobility, ensuring compliance with German immigration laws (Aufenthaltsrecht). It’s a strategic asset for deploying key personnel without permanent relocation or local contracts. Collaborate with your legal or relocation team to manage this process effectively. For more support, explore BAMF.
FAQs around ICT card
Yes, spouse, life partner, and minor unmarried children can join . They’ll receive residence permits matching employee's ICT Card’s duration, provided employee meet conditions like sufficient income and living space. Their documents should be included in employee's initial application- see Federal Foreign Office family reunification guidelines.
If applicant holds a valid ICT Card from another EU Member State:
‣For stays in Germany up to 90 days within 180 days, employer must notify BAMF in advance—no German permit is needed.
‣For stays over 90 days, apply for a German Mobile ICT Card at least 20 days before the assignment starts, via the local Ausländerbehörde or BAMF.
The ICT Card is valid for the transfer duration, up to three years for managers and specialists, or one year for trainees. It cannot be renewed directly—after expiration, a six-month cooling-off period outside Germany is required before reapplying for a new ICT Card.
You need:
✅At least six months of prior employment with the company outside the EU.
✅A role as a manager, specialist, or trainee in Germany, with relevant qualifications (e.g., expertise for specialists, a degree for trainees).
✅A transfer duration over 90 days, up to three years (or one year for trainees).
✅A salary matching German standards for similar roles.
✅A valid employment contract and, if needed, an assignment letter proving the transfer’s purpose.
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