How to check a Germany job offer before you pay

The short answer

A real job offer can be checked from three independent sides: the employer, the legal route and the authorities. If an offer only exists in messages from an agent, treat it as unconfirmed.

7 checks to make

1. Find the employer

   Get the full company name and address. Look it up in the German company register. A missing entry is a warning sign.

2. Contact the employer yourself

   Use contact details you find independently, not the ones in the message you received. Ask them to confirm the offer.

3. Read the job terms

   A real offer states the position, gross pay, hours, contract length and workplace. Vague promises of "high salary" are not terms.

4. Ask which legal route is used

   The agent should name it, for example the Skilled Worker route or §15d short-term employment, and explain why you qualify.

5. Ask about the Federal Employment Agency

   Many work visas need its approval. A real agent can explain this step, and on many routes the employer can get a prior approval (Vorabzustimmung) before the visa.

6. Check the agent

   Ask who they are, where they work and who signs your agreement. In India, overseas recruiters must be licensed, and you can check this on eMigrate.

7. Ask the German mission

   If in doubt, contact the German embassy or consulate in your country. German missions warn about fraud and advise people to verify before acting.

Warning signs

• A "guaranteed visa". Only the embassy or consulate decides.
• No employer name, or a refusal to let you speak to the employer.
• Pressure to pay today so you do not "lose your place".
• A contract with no gross pay, hours or workplace.
• No interview or any contact from the employer's side.
• A request for bank account access or for a bank account in your name.
• Payment to a private person with no written agreement.

Where to look for jobs officially

The German government portal Make it in Germany lists vacancies and explains visa routes. Compare any offer you receive with what it says.

How we handle this

Use these checks on us too. You first receive an official offer letter from the employer, free and with no prepayment, and you can check it with the employer yourself. See the terms for our warehouse job in Germany.

Questions

How do I know if a German job offer is real?

Find the employer in the German company register, contact the employer through details you found yourself, read the job terms and ask which legal route is used.

What is a Vorabzustimmung?

It is a prior approval from the German Federal Employment Agency for a specific job, issued before the visa stage. Many work routes depend on the agency's approval.

Can an agent guarantee a German work visa?

No. The German embassy or consulate makes the decision. Treat any guarantee as a warning sign.

Who can confirm whether my job offer is genuine?

The employer can confirm the offer. The German embassy or consulate in your country can advise you on the procedure.

Official sources

• German company register
• Make it in Germany, the German government portal
• German Consulate General Kolkata
• eMigrate, Government of India

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