ICT Card (Intra-Corporate Transfer) — Germany

You must qualify under the rules that govern intra-corporate transfers to Germany.

The ICT framework limits eligibility to specific roles within a corporate group and requires a clear relationship between the sending and receiving entities.

Eligible roles

The Germany ICT Card applies only to defined categories of employees transferred within a corporate group.

You must work in one of the following roles:

• Manager
• Professional (specialist)
• Trainee

These roles must exist within the applying corporate group.

You can’t use this permit for independent employment or roles outside the group structure.

If your position doesn’t clearly fall into one of these categories, you should review the detailed conditions published by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge – BAMF).

This permit does not replace other residence options such as the EU Blue Card, Skilled Worker Visa, Job Seeker Visa, or Self-Employment Visa.

Each category follows separate rules.

Corporate-group relationship

You must transfer within the same corporate group.

The German host entity and the sending entity abroad must belong to that group structure.

The ICT framework covers transfers from non‑EU branches to Germany.

The relationship between entities must support an intra-company transfer, not a new external hire.

You should confirm that:

• The sending branch is located outside the European Union.
• The German entity forms part of the same corporate group.
• The transfer reflects an internal reassignment, not independent recruitment.

Authorities will assess whether your employment remains tied to the corporate group during your stay.

For official conditions and interpretations, consult BAMF guidance before submitting your application.

Category-specific checks

Each role—manager, professional, or trainee—requires you to meet the specific conditions tied to that category.

You must:

1. Review the eligibility criteria for your exact role.

2. Make sure your position aligns with the ICT Directive framework.

3. Prepare documentation that reflects your category accurately.

Trainees must transfer from a non‑EU branch under the ICT conditions.

Managers and professionals must show that their function fits within the corporate group structure.

If you plan mobility within the EU under a Mobile ICT Card, confirm that your status qualifies under the same ICT framework before applying.

When applying from abroad, you submit your visa application through the Federal Foreign Office.

If you apply inside Germany, the local Ausländerbehörde processes your residence permit.

Always verify current procedural requirements and forms, including Form VIDEX where applicable, before filing.

You must submit the official ICT application form together with signed declarations and supporting evidence.

Use the correct form issued by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge) (BAMF) and follow the instructions exactly.

Download the ICT form & instructions

Get the current ICT Card application form and guidance directly from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).

Do not rely on outdated copies from third-party websites.

If you apply from abroad, the Federal Foreign Office handles your visa application through the German consulate.

If you already live in Germany, your local Ausländerbehörde manages the residence permit process.

Use the version that matches your situation:

Do not confuse the ICT Card with the EU Blue Card, Skilled Worker Visa, Job Seeker Visa, or Self-Employment Visa.

Each category uses different eligibility rules and forms.

Always download the most recent form before you apply.

Complete, sign the form

Fill out every required field clearly and accurately.

Do not leave mandatory sections blank.

You must provide your personal details, passport information, and information about your assignment in Germany.

Follow the instructions line by line.

Complete the form in the format required by the issuing authority.

If the instructions allow or require digital pre-completion, use the designated system.

Before submission:

1. Review all entries for accuracy.

2. Confirm that names and passport numbers match exactly.

3. Sign the form where indicated.

4. Add the date in the correct format.

Unsigned forms or incomplete sections delay processing.

The authority will not finalize your ICT Card without a properly completed and signed application.

Supporting evidence to submit

Submit all required evidence together with your application.

Missing documents can lead to delays or refusal.

Your supporting documents must match the details in your form.

Provide clear and complete copies as instructed.

Use this checklist to prepare your file:

• Completed and signed ICT application form
• Valid passport
• Assignment documentation from your employer
• Any additional documents listed in the official instructions

If you apply for a Mobile ICT Card, include documentation that proves your existing ICT status in another EU Member State.

Check the official instructions issued by BAMF or the Federal Foreign Office for the full document list.

Requirements differ from other residence permits such as the EU Blue Card or Skilled Worker Visa, so don’t reuse document sets from those categories.

Your spouse and minor children can join you in Germany if they meet the entry and passport rules. Each family member must apply separately and hold the correct travel document before departure.

Bringing family members

You must arrange entry visas for each dependent through the Federal Foreign Office if they require a visa to enter Germany. Each family member files an individual application, typically through the Form VIDEX system, and attends a consular appointment.

Visa requirements depend on nationality and passport type. Some nationals may enter Germany without a visa for short stays, but this exemption applies only under strict conditions.

Key points to verify before travel:

• Each dependent holds a biometric passport, where required.
• Serbian nationals qualify for visa‑free entry only if their passport was not issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate.
• Taiwanese passport holders qualify for visa‑free entry only if the passport includes a national identity card number.

If a visa is required, your family members must apply before travel. Inside Germany, the local Ausländerbehörde issues their residence permits after arrival.

The table below summarizes passport-specific rules:

Work rights for dependents

Your dependents’ ability to work depends on the residence permit issued by the local Ausländerbehörde. The work authorization appears directly on their residence document.

Do not assume that rights attached to an EU Blue Card, Skilled Worker Visa, Job Seeker Visa, Self‑Employment Visa, or Mobile ICT Card automatically apply to family members. Each permit is issued individually and may contain specific employment conditions.

Check the wording on your dependent’s residence card. If it states that employment is permitted, your spouse may work within the limits shown. If it restricts employment, your spouse must follow those limits.

For official policy guidance, consult the Federal Foreign Office for entry visas and the competent Ausländerbehörde for residence conditions. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) oversees migration policy but does not issue residence cards for dependents.

Passport & entry notes

Each dependent must travel with a valid passport that meets Germany’s entry standards. Border officials verify passport type and issuing authority.

Visa‑free entry applies only where all stated conditions are met. A non‑biometric passport, or a passport issued by an excluded authority, removes the exemption and requires a visa in advance.

Before booking travel, confirm:

• Passport validity and biometric status
• Correct issuing authority (for Serbian passports)
• Presence of a national ID number (for Taiwanese passports, if relying on visa‑free entry)

If any requirement is unclear, contact the Federal Foreign Office before departure. Entry refusal can occur if passport conditions are not satisfied.

Most ICT Card refusals result from inconsistent forms and avoidable filing errors. You reduce risk by aligning every document detail, selecting the correct permit type, and reviewing your application before submission.

Frequent reasons for rejection

Authorities refuse petitions when your information does not match across forms and supporting documents. Even small differences in passport numbers, spelling of names, or employment dates can trigger doubts about credibility.

Incomplete sections in the Form VIDEX form or missing fields in paper submissions also lead to delays or denials. You must complete every question, even if the answer is “not applicable,” and ensure the same data appears in all attachments.

Confusion between the ICT Card, Mobile ICT Card, EU Blue Card, Skilled Worker Visa, Job Seeker Visa, and Self-Employment Visa creates additional problems. If your job role and transfer structure do not match the ICT framework, the authority may determine that another residence title is more appropriate.

Inside Germany, your local Ausländerbehörde reviews residence permits. If you apply from abroad, the Federal Foreign Office processes the visa stage.

How to avoid mistakes

Start by entering your passport details exactly as printed. Copy names, numbers, and dates character for character into VIDEX and all supporting forms.

Review your employment information carefully. Your job title, host entity, and transfer duration must match across your contract, assignment letter, and application.

Use this checklist before submission:

• Confirm passport number and expiration date match every document
• Ensure spelling of your name is identical everywhere
• Check that all form questions have responses
• Verify that your selected permit is the correct ICT category

If you are unsure whether you qualify for an ICT Card or a different permit such as the EU Blue Card or Skilled Worker Visa, confirm the correct path before filing. Filing under the wrong category wastes time and may require a new application.

Practical review tips

Set aside time to review your full packet in one sitting. Read each form slowly and compare it to your passport and employment documents.

Print a copy of your completed VIDEX form and check it line by line. Pay close attention to dates, document numbers, and employer details.

Use a side‑by‑side comparison table like this during your review:

If you apply inside Germany, confirm that your local Ausländerbehörde receives consistent information in every submission.