Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment Issued for the purpose of employment if you have extensive practical professional knowledge

If you have extensive practical professional knowledge in the field of information and communication technology, you can obtain a residence permit under certain conditions. However, a formal qualification is not required.

If you have extensive practical professional knowledge, you can obtain a residence permit for employment in the field of information and communication technology (IT sector).

To do so, you must have worked in the IT sector for at least three years in the last seven years and thus have acquired a high level of skills and knowledge about your work. In addition, the granting of such a residence permit requires an employment contract or a specific job offer with a certain minimum salary.

You do not need to have completed qualified vocational training or a course of study. It is also not necessary for your qualifications acquired abroad to be recognized. It may be helpful if, in addition to several years of professional experience, you can also demonstrate relevant theoretical knowledge (e.g. through certificates or diplomas).

The Federal Employment Agency must approve the employment before the residence permit is issued. It also checks whether certain requirements can be waived. The Federal Employment Agency grants its approval for a maximum of four years.

The residence permit is issued for a limited period. Its validity depends on your employment contract or the period of validity of the Federal Employment Agency's approval.

Under certain circumstances, the Immigration Office may require you to attend an integration course. This will then be noted on your residence permit.

If you are an employer and would like to hire an IT specialist from abroad, you can apply for the accelerated skilled worker procedure at the foreigners authority on behalf of the foreigner, which can facilitate and accelerate the entry of skilled workers.

Please contact the foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.

Note: For the accelerated skilled worker procedure, please contact the immigrationForeigners' Registration Office at the place of business where the foreigner is to be employed.

• Valid passport
• Proof of at least three years of professional experience within the last seven years
• If available, further proof of your acquired theoretical knowledge (e.g. certificates)
• Your language certificate level B1
• Original of your employment contract or a binding job offer with salary details (please use the standard federal employment declaration form for this)
• Current biometric photo
• Current registration certificate
• Proof of your health insurance
• Tenancy agreement

In addition

• if you have recently entered the country:
  • Visa, if this was required for entry
• and in the case of a previous stay:
  • Current residence permit or other certificate of right of residence (e.g. residence permit, toleration)

Note: Further documents are required for the employer to carry out the accelerated skilled worker procedure. Please contact the relevant immigration authority for this.

• Forms: Declaration of employment (standardized nationwide)
• You can obtain further authority-specific forms from your foreigners authority; these may also be available online
• Online procedure possible: Occasionally
• Written form required: Yes
• Personal appearance required: Yes

• You have a recognized and valid passport or passport substitute and - if required for entry - an appropriate visa.
• There is no interest in deporting you.
• Your stay does not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• You have worked in the IT sector for at least three years within the last seven years.
• You have an employment contract or a binding job offer in the field of information and communication technology.
• Your salary will reach at least 60% of the contribution assessment ceiling for pension insurance.
• The Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community publishes the amount of the contribution assessment ceiling for each year in the Federal Gazette by December 31 of the previous year (see further information).
• You are able to cover your living expenses and health insurance independently without claiming public benefits.
• You have sufficient knowledge of German. This corresponds to language level B1. In individual cases, the requirement for German language skills may be waived. If this requirement is to be waived in your case, you must apply for this and give reasons.
• The Federal Employment Agency has agreed to your taking up employment (approval is usually obtained from the Foreigners' Registration Office). For approval to be granted, your working conditions (in particular salary) must be comparable to those of a German employee in the same position.

§ Section 19c (2) Residence Act (AufenthG)
§ Section 42 (1) no. 2 Residence Act (AufenthG)
§ Section 6 Employment Ordinance (BeschV)

You must apply for a residence permit at the foreigners authority responsible for your place of residence. The procedure is as follows:

• Depending on the foreigners authority and your request, it may be possible to apply via the Internet. Find out whether your foreigners authority offers electronic applications for residence permits.
• If you can only apply in person, make an appointment with the immigration office.
  During the appointment, your application will be accepted and your supporting documents checked (bring these with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken for the production of an electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• In the case of an electronic application, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your online application to arrange an appointment at the Foreigners' Registration Office if necessary. During the appointment, your documents will be checked (bring them with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• If your application is approved, the foreigners authority will arrange for the eAT card to be produced.
• After about six to eight weeks, you can collect the eAT card from the immigration office.
• The eAT card must always be collected in person.

Fees are charged for the issue of the residence permit. The time and form of payment vary depending on the authority.

• The residence permit should be applied for at least eight weeks before your valid visa or residence permit expires.
• The residence permit is issued for a limited period. Its validity depends on the period of validity of your employment contract and the approval of the Federal Employment Agency.
• Objection period: 1 month

about six to eight weeks

Issuing a residence permit: EUR 100.00

Amendment of an existing residence permit for the purpose of obtaining a residence permit for the purpose of employment in the case of extensive practical professional knowledge (change of purpose): EUR 98.00

Note: Under certain circumstances, a fee reduction or fee exemption may be possible.