Hallo, I’m a 27yo software developer from Australia (dual Brit/Aus citizen) with nine years professional experience doing work mostly for Australian companies but no completed degree (I did 6 months of computer science at university when i was 17 but didn’t bother to finish as i got a job in software since then).
Currently I have a young persons working holiday visa starting next week – so I’ll have a legal right to work for up to 1 year – when I land in Berlin. I have basic German abilities (probably A1), but am taking intensive classes (gonna aim to get to B1 within a year)
As I understand it, the bluecard requires an academic degree, with an exception coming in from [November for IT specialists](https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/skilled-immigration-act) – but I’m unclear when this applies from (is it Nov1?). I’ve tried to find the relevant legislation, but I failed. I can easily satisfy the salary requirement, but it’s the academic requirement (or IT waiver) I’m unsure about.
I can either get a job from a Germany company (lots of offers), or my employer from Australia can setup a German subsidiary to handle this.
I’d rather switch to a more stable(permanent) visa asap, ideally the blue card – mostly so I can start working towards Permanent residency since it’s unclear if the time I spent as a working holiday counts towards the 33/21 month thing of the blue card!
by SmallWaterLily