Apply for a residence permit for employment as a skilled worker with an academic qualification

You must apply for your residence permit in person:

• Arrange an appointment with the immigration office responsible for your place of residence.
• During the appointment, your documents will be checked and your fingerprints will be taken for the electronic residence permit (eAT card). The authority will send your application to the employment agency.
• The employment agency will give feedback to the foreigners authority.
• If your application is approved, the foreigners authority will commission the Bundesdruckerei to produce the eAT card
• You will receive notification by post that your application has been approved and the eaT card will be produced, or that your application has been rejected.
• As the eAT card is linked to an online ID function, you must collect it in person.
• You will receive information by post that you can collect the eAT card from the Foreigners' Registration Office.

Foreigners' Registration Office of your city or municipality

Federal hotline "Working and living in Germany"
Telephone: 030 18151111
Service hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 16:00

Foreigners authority of your city or municipality

• You have
  • a German university degree, or
  • a recognized foreign university degree, or
  • a foreign university degree that is comparable to a German university degree.
• You have
  • a job or
  • a job offer.
• You have a qualification that qualifies you for the job.
• If necessary, you have a license to practice the profession, for example a license to practice 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 cover from your income without claiming public benefits.
• There is no interest in deporting you.
• Your stay does not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.

• When entering the country with an appropriate visa:
  • valid passport with visa
• If you have a previous stay with a residence permit for another purpose:
  • valid passport
  • residence permit

Additionally:

• Current biometric photo
• Original of the employment contract or binding job offer
• Original of the certificate of successfully completed university education
• if available:
  • Notification of recognition or comparability of the university degree
  • Certificate evaluation from the Central Office for Foreign Education
• for regulated professions: Your professional license (e.g. license to practice medicine or professional permit)
• Current registration certificate
• If required: license to practice your profession
• Proof of your health insurance
• Tenancy agreement

Issuing the residence permit: EUR 100.00

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

Validity of your residence permit:

• 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

• §§ Sections 18, 18b (1) Residence Act (AufenthG)
• § 3 - 8 Residence Act (AufenthG)
• § Section 39 Residence Act (AufenthG)

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

You can obtain the forms from your local immigration office or on their website.

18.06.2020