Apply for a residence permit for the recognition of the professional qualification on the basis of an agreement of the Federal Employment Agency

Residence permit for the recognition of your foreign professional qualification if you have been placed in employment on the basis of an agreement between the Federal Employment Agency and the employment services of your country of origin and other requirements are met.

You can obtain a residence permit for the recognition of your foreign professional qualification if you have been placed in employment in the health and care sector on the basis of an agreement between the Federal Employment Agency and the employment services of your country of origin (e.g. within the framework of the "Triple Win" programme for the placement of nursing staff) or on the basis of an agreement in another selected area.

You do not have to pursue a recognition procedure in Germany before granting a residence permit. This can also be started after arrival in Germany. The overall procedure required for this is regulated in the mediation agreement.

The Federal Employment Agency must have consented to the exercise of employment in the desired occupational field. The approval of the Federal Employment Agency is granted for a limited period of one year. Consent may be granted for the exercise of employment in both regulated and non-regulated professions if certain conditions are met.

Regulated professions are those for whose access and exercise special professional qualifications had to be acquired, e.g. doctors, architects, pharmacists. You can find out whether your profession is regulated in Germany, which laws regulate it and where you have to contact to check your qualifications in the information portal "Recognition in Germany" (see "Further information").

The Federal Employment Agency may give its consent for the exercise of employment in a regulated profession if the desired employment is closely related to the professional knowledge in the profession to be recognised after entry and other requirements are met (see "Requirements"). A close professional connection is given if you e.g. want to have their qualification as a health and paediatric nurse recognised and want to work in the nursing assistant sector during the recognition procedure.

The residence permit entitles the holder to work up to ten hours a week independent of the professional qualification to be recognised .

The residence permit for the recognition of the professional qualification on the basis of an agreement of the Federal Employment Agency is a temporary residence title. It is granted for one year.

The foreigners' authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence

• Valid passport
• Current biometric photo
• Visa, if required
• Proof of subsistence
• Proof of foreign professional qualification
• Lease
• Proof of your health insurance
• If applicable, professional license
• In the case of regulated professions: concrete job offer for qualified employment in the profession to be recognised after entry
• Proof of language proficiency (certificate)

• Forms: Forms can be obtained from your immigration office, if necessary they are also offered online
• Online procedures possible in some cases
• 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 expulsion against you.
• Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• You have been placed in employment on the basis of a placement agreement between the Federal Employment Agency and the employment services in your country of origin.
• The Federal Employment Agency has consented to the exercise of employment in the desired occupational field if consent is required.

Approval is usually obtained from the Foreigners' Registration Office. This can be granted if certain conditions are met.

If you want to work in a regulated profession , you must meet the following requirements:

• • You can submit a concrete job offer for qualified employment in the profession to be recognised after entry.
  • For employment in the desired occupational field, a professional license has already been issued, as far as this is required.
  • You declare that after entering Germany, you will carry out the procedure at the competent recognition authority to determine the equivalence of your foreign professional qualification and, if necessary, to issue the professional licence.

If you want to work in a non-regulated profession , you must declare that after entering Germany, you will carry out the procedure for determining the equivalence of your foreign professional qualification with the competent authority.

• You have the German language skills specified in the placement agreement, which usually correspond to level A2.

You can secure your livelihood and health insurance coverage without using public benefits.

The residence permit must be applied for at the immigration authority responsible for your place of residence. The procedure is as follows:

• Depending on the immigration authority and concerns, it may be possible to apply via the Internet. Find out whether your immigration authority offers the electronic application for a residence permit.
• If the application is only possible in person, make an appointment with the Foreigners' Registration Office. During the appointment, your application will be received and your supporting documents will be checked (bring them with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken to produce an electronic residence permit (eATKarte).
• In the event of an electronic application, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you upon receipt of your online application in order to make 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 title (eAT card).
• If your application is granted, the Foreigners' Registration Office will arrange for the eATKarte to be produced.
• After about six to eight weeks, you can pick up the eATKarte at the Foreigners' Registration Office.
• The eATKarte is always to be picked up personally.
• Fees apply for the issuance of the residence permit. The timing and form of payment vary depending on the authority.

• The residence permit should be applied for at least eight weeks before the expiry of your valid visa.
• Opposition period: 1 month

about six to eight weeks

Issue of residence permit: EUR 100.00

Under certain conditions, a fee reduction or exemption may be considered.