How does ICT Card (Intra-Corporate Transfer) work in Germany, and who qualifies?

The ICT Card (Intra-Corporate Transfer, §§19/19b Residence Act, under EU Directive 2014/66/EU) is for staff moved within the same corporate group from a non-EU entity to a German branch. To qualify you need at least six months of prior employment within the group, an assignment as a manager, specialist or trainee with a valid assignment letter, qualifications appropriate to the position, and a comparable salary. The sending and receiving entities must belong to the same corporate group.

The permit is valid for up to three years for managers and specialists, and up to one year for trainees, and it carries mobility within the EU for related assignments. The first residence permit issued in Germany costs EUR 100.

This route is specifically for intra-group transfers; if you are being hired directly by a German employer rather than transferred internally, a skilled-worker permit or EU Blue Card would apply instead. Confirm current conditions on bamf.de before applying, and ACME can help your company set up an intra-corporate transfer correctly.