Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Beschäftigung als Fachkraft mit akademischer Ausbildung beantragen

If you have a university degree and would like to work in Germany for which you are qualified, you can obtain a corresponding residence permit under certain conditions.

A residence permit for employment as a skilled worker with an academic qualification gives you access to the labor market in Germany. It can only be applied for in person at your local immigration office. Spouses of holders of a residence permit for qualified employment are also entitled to a residence permit.

You can apply for a residence permit if you have a university degree. If you do not have a German university degree, your degree must either be recognized or be comparable to a German university degree. You can apply for recognition or assessment of comparability before you arrive in Germany.

You must also present an employment contract or a binding job offer. From the age of 45, you must provide proof of a certain minimum salary. The minimum gross salary is set annually and amounts to EUR 45,540 in 2020. Even if you do not reach this minimum salary, you can obtain a residence permit for qualified employment if you provide proof of adequate pension provision or in special cases. A special case may be that there is a public interest in the employment.

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

The residence permit is a temporary residence title. It is issued for 4 years for 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 qualified employment 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 labor market due to your right to freedom of movement and do not require a residence permit. You can be self-employed or employed in Germany under the right of establishment or freedom of movement for workers. This also applies to nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

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

• 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
• rental agreement

• 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 employment.
• 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.

Issuing the residence permit: EUR 100.00

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 Immigration Office 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.

about 6 to 8 weeks

Application 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.

• Residence permit for the purpose of gainful employment; issued for the purpose of employment in the case of qualified employment as a skilled worker with academic training
• Residence permit for non-EU foreigners with a university degree and job (offer)
• includes the "work permit"
• Spouses of holders of this residence permit are also entitled to a residence permit.
• Prerequisites include
  • German or recognized/comparable foreign university degree
  • Employment contract or written confirmation of employment
  • fulfillment of passport and visa requirements secure livelihood
  • There is no interest in deporting you
  • Your stay does not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany
• The residence permit is only issued for a limited period:
  • for permanent employment contracts: valid for 4 years, it can be extended
  • for shorter-term employment contracts: valid for the duration of the employment contract
• Skilled workers with a university degree can obtain a permanent residence permit after fulfilling certain requirements
• Spouse eligible to apply for a residence permit for family reunification
• Application only possible in person
• Responsible: local immigration authority of the city or municipality

Foreigners' Registration Office of your city or municipality

Federal hotline "Working and living in Germany"
Telephone: +49 30 18151111
Service hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 16:00

Foreigners authority of your city or municipality

• 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.