Residence permit for skilled workers (Fachkräfteeinwanderung)

Drafted from the official pages listed under Sources, last read on 29 October 2026. Rules, fees and thresholds change: check the official page before you act. This is not legal advice and does not guarantee any outcome.

Who it is for

People who have completed academic studies or qualified vocational training, in Germany or abroad, and who have a concrete job offer from an employer in Germany. The permit covers qualified employment as a skilled worker under sections 18a and 18b of the Residence Act (AufenthG), according to Make it in Germany.

Three related routes are described on the official pages: the permit for qualified professionals (this guide), the permit for professionally experienced workers in non-regulated occupations (section 19c(2) AufenthG with section 6 of the Employment Regulation, BeschV), and the visa for a recognition partnership (section 16d(3) AufenthG). If you hold a university degree and a high enough salary offer, also see the EU Blue Card guide. If you have no job offer yet, see the Opportunity Card guide.

How it works

As published by Make it in Germany:

• Check whether your qualification is recognised or comparable to a German one, and whether your profession is regulated.
• Obtain a specific job offer. The Federal Employment Agency (BA) generally must approve the employment.
• Check which visa you need with the Federal Foreign Office Visa-Navigator.
• Apply online through the Consular Services Portal of the Federal Foreign Office, using the route for qualified professionals with a university degree or the route for those with vocational training.

For the recognition step, see the Recognition in Germany guide. A recognition partnership (section 16d(3) AufenthG) lets you enter before recognition, so the procedure takes place in Germany, if you meet its requirements.

This platform does not submit applications. You apply through the official channels.

Main requirements

• Qualification: recognised in Germany or comparable to a German academic qualification.
• Licence: regulated professions, such as healthcare, need a licence to practise (Berufsausübungserlaubnis) before the permit is issued.
• Job offer: a concrete offer for qualified work. Auxiliary tasks do not qualify. The job does not have to match your qualification, but regulated professions still require the licence.
• Age 45 or over (first-time entrants): gross annual salary of at least EUR 55,770 (as of 2026) or proof of adequate pension provision.
• BA approval: the Federal Employment Agency checks that pay and conditions match those of domestic employees.

Experienced workers without German recognition

For non-regulated occupations, the page on professionally experienced workers requires a qualification of at least two years of vocational training or a recognised degree (confirmed by the Central Office for Foreign Education, ZAB, or the anabin portal), at least two years of qualified work experience within the last five years, and a gross annual salary of at least EUR 45,630 (as of 2026) or pay under an applicable collective agreement. IT professionals have a special rule that waives proof of a formal qualification.

Costs and timing

The Make it in Germany pages on this permit do not state a visa fee or an overall processing time. Check the responsible mission or foreigners authority. Where a mission publishes a fee, an example is EUR 75 for a national visa (see the Study guide), but the amount for your case must come from your mission.

The only timeframe stated is three to four months for a recognition procedure, which is an estimate published by the authority.

Permits for qualified employment are issued for up to four years. If the contract is shorter, the permit covers the contract duration plus six months. After at least three years you may be eligible for a settlement permit under certain circumstances; the professionally experienced workers page mentions five years under section 9 AufenthG.

Preparing your file

• Confirm whether your occupation is regulated, using the Federal Employment Agency list and the Recognition Finder.
• Start recognition or a ZAB/anabin check early. See the Recognition in Germany guide and the anabin entry.
• Ask your employer to complete the Federal Employment Agency declaration of employment if the visa section requests it.
• Keep your employment contract showing salary, hours and job duties.
• Use the mission's own checklist: the official pages here do not give a complete document list.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming a regulated profession can start without its licence to practise.
• Relying on a job offer for auxiliary tasks, which do not qualify.
• Forgetting the higher salary or pension-provision rule if you are 45 or over.
• Using salary thresholds from an old article: they are updated yearly.
• Believing that an application, questionnaire or purchase on this platform is a submission to the authorities. It is not.