by Quick answer: To get a Luxembourg work visa as a non-EU worker, you first need a job offer. Your employer must declare the vacancy to ADEM, Luxembourg’s employment agency, and can hire you if no suitable candidate is found within 3 weeks. Then you apply from your home country for a temporary authorisation to stay, get a type D visa if your nationality needs one, and apply for a residence permit within 3 months of arriving. The residence permit fee is €80 (eighty euros).
This guide explains each step of the Luxembourg work visa process, the documents you need and the EU Blue Card option for highly qualified workers.
Last verified: 4 October 2026 against Guichet.lu, the Luxembourg government’s official guide.
How the Luxembourg work visa works
Luxembourg does not issue one single “work visa”. Instead, salaried workers from outside the EU go through three stages: a temporary authorisation to stay, a type D visa where needed, and then a residence permit as a salaried worker.
Step 1: The employer advertises the job through ADEM
Your employer must declare the job to ADEM. If the job cannot be filled with someone registered with ADEM within 3 weeks, the employer may hire a person of its choice, under certain conditions, including a non-EU national. ADEM then issues a certificate that you need for your application.
Step 2: Apply for a temporary authorisation to stay
You apply from your home country, before you travel. According to Guichet.lu, you need:
- a copy of your valid passport.
- a criminal record extract or a sworn statement.
- your CV and copies of your diplomas.
- the signed employment contract.
- the original ADEM certificate.
Documents must be originals or certified copies. Also, any document not in English, French or German needs a sworn translation. The Ministry of Home Affairs normally replies within a maximum of 4 months.
Step 3: Get a type D visa, then travel
If your nationality needs a visa, you apply for a type D visa at the Luxembourg embassy or consulate once you have the temporary authorisation. After you arrive, you must declare your arrival at your local commune within 3 days and complete a medical check.
Step 4: Apply for the residence permit
Within 3 months of arriving, you apply for your residence permit as a salaried worker and pay the €80 fee. Your first permit lasts up to 1 year and covers one profession in one sector.
EU Blue Card: the route for highly qualified workers
If you have high professional qualifications and a well-paid offer, the EU Blue Card may suit you better. Guichet.lu lists these conditions:
- a salary of at least €65,652 a year.
- an employment contract of at least 6 months.
- proof of the high professional qualifications needed for the job.
The first Blue Card lasts 4 years, or the length of the contract plus 3 months if the contract is shorter. Processing normally takes a maximum of 3 months.
Luxembourg work visa requirements for Nigerians and other non-EU nationals
The process is the same for all non-EU nationals, so applicants from Nigeria, Ghana, India, Pakistan or the Philippines follow the same steps. The key document is the ADEM certificate, because it shows the employer tried to fill the job locally first. So never pay anyone who offers you a “Luxembourg work visa” without a real employer and contract.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Luxembourg work visa take?
The temporary authorisation to stay normally takes up to 4 months, and the visa and residence permit come after that.
How much does a Luxembourg work permit cost?
The residence permit fee is €80. You may also pay for translations, certified copies and a visa, depending on your nationality.
Can I get a Luxembourg work visa without a job offer?
Not on this route, because you need a signed employment contract and an ADEM certificate. For other countries, see our guide to visa sponsorship.
Official sources
This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Confirm the current rules on Guichet.lu before you apply.
