Benin → Germany: EU Blue Card (National Visa for Employment)

The national visa application form, fully completed and signed.

Source: German Missions in the United States, National Visa for Employment: EU Blue Card checklist (Federal Foreign Office)

Two current, identical biometric passport photos, no older than 3 months.

Source: German Missions in the United States, National Visa for Employment: EU Blue Card checklist (Federal Foreign Office)

Your signed passport, issued, not just extended, within the last 10 years, with at least 2 blank pages.

Source: German Missions in the United States, National Visa for Employment: EU Blue Card checklist (Federal Foreign Office)

Your gross annual salary in Germany must be at least €50,700. If you work in mathematics, IT, the natural sciences, engineering, or as a doctor, a lower threshold of €45,934.20 can apply, but then your employer needs approval from the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) confirming your pay matches what comparable German employees earn. These figures are reviewed periodically, so check the current amounts before you apply.

Source: German Missions in the United States, National Visa for Employment: EU Blue Card checklist (Federal Foreign Office)

The "Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis" (Declaration of Employment) form, completed and signed by your German employer.

Source: German Missions in the United States, National Visa for Employment: EU Blue Card checklist (Federal Foreign Office)

A signed work contract, or a detailed binding job offer, from a company in Germany.

Source: German Missions in the United States, National Visa for Employment: EU Blue Card checklist (Federal Foreign Office)

Proof of travel health insurance covering the period until your German statutory or private health insurance takes effect, requested before your visa is issued once your application is otherwise approved.

Source: German Missions in the United States, National Visa for Employment: EU Blue Card checklist (Federal Foreign Office)

A CV in German or English, with full details of your education, certificates and degrees, work experience, and language skills.

Source: German Missions in the United States, National Visa for Employment: EU Blue Card checklist (Federal Foreign Office)

If your spouse, partner, or children are applying with you, extra documents are needed: your marriage certificate (if applicable), birth certificates for children, proof of the family relationship, health insurance for each family member, and proof of accommodation for them in Germany.

Source: German Missions in the United States, National Visa for Employment: EU Blue Card checklist (Federal Foreign Office)

A copy of your university degree, plus proof it's recognised in Germany, either your university's listing with "H+" status in the anabin database, or a Statement of Comparability from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) if it isn't listed there.

Source: German Missions in the United States, National Visa for Employment: EU Blue Card checklist (Federal Foreign Office)

If your occupation is legally regulated in Germany, evidence you hold, or can get, the required registration or licence, for example medical board recognition for doctors.

Source: German Missions in the United States, National Visa for Employment: EU Blue Card checklist (Federal Foreign Office)