Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment Issue for the purpose of employment in qualified employment as a specialist with academic training

If you have a university degree and would like to pursue employment in Germany that qualifies you for the degree, you can obtain a corresponding residence permit under certain conditions.

A residence permit for employment as a specialist with academic training gives you access to the labour market in Germany. It can only be applied for in person at your locally competent immigration authority. Spouses of holders of residence permits for the purpose of skilled employment are also entitled to a residence permit.

You can apply for a residence permit if you have completed a university degree. If you do not have a German university degree, your degree must either be recognised or comparable to a German university degree. You can recognise or establish comparability before you enter Germany.

You must also submit an employment contract or a binding job offer. After reaching the age of 45, the amount of the salary must correspond to at least 55 percent of the annual contribution assessment ceiling in the general pension insurance, unless you can provide proof of an adequate pension. Even if you do not reach this minimum salary, you can obtain a residence permit for qualified employment on presentation of proof of adequate retirement provision or, in special cases. A special case may be that there is a public interest in employment.

The Federal Employment Agency checks whether the working conditions correspond to those of comparable German employees and whether there is a domestic employment relationship.

The residence permit is a temporary residence permit. It is granted for 4 years in the case of permanent employment relationships and can be extended. If the duration of your employment relationship is less than 4 years, the residence permit will be issued for the duration of your employment contract.

As the holder of a residence permit for skilled workers with a university degree, you can also obtain a settlement permit under certain conditions. This entitles you to permanent residence.

Exception: As a citizen of an EU country, you have access to the labour market on the basis of your right to free movement and do not need a residence permit. You can exercise self-employment or employment in Germany within the framework of the right of establishment or the free movement of workers. This also applies to citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

Note: If you are highly qualified, you may also be eligible for the "EU Blue Card" as a residence permit. Other conditions apply, including a minimum salary, regardless of age.

Responsibility lies with the Foreigners' Registration Office in whose district you are registered as having your main residence.

Please contact the local immigration authority.

• When entering with an appropriate visa:
  • valid passport with visa
• If there is a previous stay with a residence permit for another purpose:
  • valid passport
  • Residence permit

Additional:

• current biometric photo
• Original employment contract or binding job offer
• Original certificate of successful completion of higher education
• if available:
  • Notification of recognition or comparability of the university degree
  • Certificate evaluation of the Central Office for Foreign Education
• for regulated professions: your professional licence (e.g. licence to practise medicine or professional licence)
• Current registration certificate
• if required: professional licence
• Proof of your health insurance
• Lease

• Forms: yes
• Online procedure possible: no
• Written form required: yes
• Personal appearance required: yes

The forms can be obtained from your local immigration authority or on their website.

• You have
  • a German university degree, or
  • a recognised foreign university degree, or
  • a foreign university degree comparable to a German university degree.
• You have
  • a workplace or
  • a job offer.
• You have a qualification that qualifies you to take up employment.
• If necessary, you have a professional license, for example license to practice medicine as a pharmacist.
• Working conditions and, in particular, salary must be comparable to those of a German employee, the approval of the Federal Employment Agency is required.
• You can secure your livelihood and health insurance coverage from your income without using public benefits.
• There is no interest in expulsion against you.
• Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.

You must apply for your residence permit in person:

• Make an appointment with the immigration authority responsible for your place of residence.
• During the appointment, your proof will be checked and your fingerprints taken for the electronic residence title (eAT card). The authority sends your application to the Employment Agency.
• The Employment Agency provides feedback to the Foreigners' Registration Office.
• If your application is approved, the Foreigners' Registration Office will instruct Bundesdruckerei to produce the eAT card
• You will receive a message by post that your application has been approved and the eaT card is being produced, or that your application has been rejected.
• Since the eAT card is linked to an online ID function, you must pick it up in person.
• You will receive information by post that you can pick up the eAT card at the Foreigners' Registration Office.

Application for a residence permit: at least 8 weeks before your visa or residence permit expires.

Validity of your residence permit:

• for as long as your employment contract if your employment contract is valid for less than 4 years,
• 4 years if your employment contract is valid for at least 4 years or indefinitely.

about 6 to 8 weeks

Issuance of residence permit: EUR 100.00