Seiteninhalt
Paid employment
Employment involving specific practical and vocational knowledge
If you have a foreign professional qualification recognized in your country of origin or a foreign university degree recognized in your country of origin, or if you are able to take up employment in the field of information and communication technology, this is also possible under the following conditions:
- You have obtained at least two years of professional experience in the field in the last five years;
- Your professional experience gives you qualifications comparable to those of skilled workers;
- Your salary amounts to at least 45 % of the annual assessment ceiling in the statutory pension insurance scheme (3,397.50 €).
Please consult this page for further information about your stay in the event that these requirements apply to you.
Please bring the following with you…
If you would like to apply for or extend a residence permit for the purpose of skilled employment with specific practical and vocational knowledge, please bring the following documents with you (if we do not already have them):
- Your valid passport
- A current passport photo
- A completed application form
- Employment contract
- Tenancy agreement
- Proof of health insurance
- Proof of specific practical and vocational knowledge (e.g. employer's reference)
- Fee: up to € 100.00
Further documents may be required in individual cases. If this applies to you, we will inform you accordingly.
Please note: An appointment is required for the granting and extension of the residence permit. Please send us an appointment request.
Period of validity of the residence permit
The residence permit for the purpose of skilled employment with specific practical and vocational knowledge usually expires on the termination date of your fixed-term employment contract plus 3 months. Should the approval for employment by the Federal Employment Agency be valid for a shorter period of time, the duration of your residence permit will be based on the approval of the Federal Employment Agency plus 3 months.
If you have a permanent employment contract, the residence permit can be issued or extended for a maximum of four years.
Paid employment
The residence permit entitles you to pursue the skilled employment for which you applied for said residence permit.
Permission must be obtained from the immigration authority before changing employer. Please also note that the change of employer must be checked. Therefore, please inform us in good time if you wish to change your employer (at least three weeks before the planned change).
Settling down
If you are staying in Germany as a skilled employee with specific practical and vocational knowledge, you can apply for a settlement permit (permanent residence permit) after five years. You can find further information here.