Granting a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker

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 application for a residence permit.
• If the application can only be made 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 Immigration Office will contact you after receiving your online application to arrange an appointment at the Immigration 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' Registration Office will arrange for the eAT card to be issued.
• 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 foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence

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

• 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

• qualified vocational training in Germany or
• an equivalent foreign professional qualification

• You have a qualification that enables you to carry out qualified employment. This means that, in principle, you can also work in a related profession if there is a connection between the training you have completed and the intended activity (e.g. a baker can also work as a confectioner).
• You have a job or a job offer
  If you have reached the age of 45, you must provide proof of an employment contract or a binding job offer with a certain minimum salary. The minimum salary must reach 55 percent of the annual contribution assessment ceiling in the general pension insurance scheme. This results in a minimum salary for 2020 of 45,540 euros per year. Even if this minimum salary is not reached, a residence permit can be issued upon presentation of proof of adequate pension provision or in special cases (e.g. if there is a public interest in the employment).
  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.
• The Federal Employment Agency has approved the commencement of employment (approval is usually obtained from the immigration authority). For approval to be granted, your working conditions (in particular salary) must be comparable to those of a German employee in the same position.
• If necessary, you must have a license to practice your profession.
• You can secure your livelihood and health insurance cover from your income without claiming public benefits.

• Valid passport
• Current biometric photo
• Original of your employment contract or a binding offer of employment (please use the nationwide standardized form Declaration of Employment )
• Original of the certificate of successfully completed vocational training
• If available, notification of the equivalence of the foreign professional qualification with a domestic qualified professional qualification
• For regulated professions: Your professional license
• If required: license to practice the profession
• Proof of your health insurance
• Current registration certificate
• 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)

Issuing a residence permit: EUR 100.00

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

• 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

§ Section 18 Residence Act

§ Section 18a Residence Act

§ Section 39 Residence Act

• Residence Act

• Forms: Declaration of employment (standardized nationwide ); you can obtain other forms specific to the authorities from your immigration office; these may also be available online
• Online procedure occasionally possible
• Written form required: yes
• Personal appearance required: yes

12.06.2020