Source: BUS Sachsen-Anhalt (Linie6Plus)

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

Description

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.

Prerequisites

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.

Required documents

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

Fees (costs)

Issuing the residence permit: EUR 100.00

Deadlines

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.

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.

Procedure

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.