Residence permit for skilled workers with an academic education

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. After the age of 45, your salary must be at least 55% of the annual contribution assessment ceiling for the general pension insurance scheme, unless you can provide proof of an adequate pension. Even if you do not reach this minimum salary, you can still obtain a residence permit for qualified employment if you can 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 a valid visa:
  • valid passport with visa
• If there is 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

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.