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Route · Work in Germany with a job offer
Skilled worker visa
German: Aufenthaltserlaubnis für Fachkräfte · Sections 18a and 18b Residence Act
Work in Germany in a qualified job that matches your vocational training or your university degree. You need a concrete job offer and a qualification that Germany treats as equivalent.
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No-obligation introductory call · Information last updated: November 2026
Needed first
Recognised or comparable
Up to 4 years
Can join you
In short
- 01
For people with a vocational qualification (Section 18a) or a university degree (Section 18b) and a qualified job offer.
- 02
Germany must see your qualification as equivalent. For a degree, it must be recognised or comparable to a German degree.
- 03
For regulated jobs, such as nursing, you also need a licence to practise before you can start in that job.
General information to help you get oriented. For your own case the German authorities decide, and we are happy to talk it through with you.
01
What it is
The skilled worker residence permit lets you work in any qualified job in Germany. Qualified means a job that fits your training or your degree. Section 18a of the Residence Act (AufenthG) covers people with vocational training. Section 18b covers people with a university degree.
You apply for a national visa at the German mission responsible for where you live. In Germany, you then receive your residence permit. The permit is usually valid for up to four years. It can be shorter if your work contract is shorter.
02
Who it is for
A good fit if you
- have a vocational qualification or a university degree from home
- have a concrete job offer from an employer in Germany
- work in a job that fits your qualification
- are ready to have your qualification checked by a German office
You do not need to tick every box today. Many people start by finding out which parts they still need.
Another route may suit you better
- You have a university degree and a high salary offerThe EU Blue Card may fit and has some extra benefits.
- You have no job offer yetThe Opportunity Card lets you look for a job in Germany.
- Your qualification is not recognised in GermanyRead about recognition or the work experience route.
Not sure this is your route?Compare the route guides and see which one fits your situation.
See all routes03
When it fits best
An employer in Germany has offered you a qualified job.
The job fits your vocational training or your university degree.
Your employer is open to the accelerated skilled worker procedure, which can make the steps quicker.
04
Conditions
Everyone needs a valid passport and a concrete job offer. The German authorities also check that your qualification is accepted. Which check applies depends on whether you have vocational training or a degree.
Vocational training
- A concrete job offer for a qualified job that fits your training
- Your vocational qualification is equivalent to a German oneconfirmed by the competent German recognition office
- Approval from the Federal Employment Agency (BA), if it is needed for your job
- A licence to practise, if your job is a regulated profession
Section 18a and Section 18(2) and (3) Residence Act (AufenthG)
University degree
- A concrete job offer for a qualified job that fits your degree
- Your degree is recognised in Germany or comparable to a German degreeoften checked with the anabin database or a statement from ZAB
- Approval from the Federal Employment Agency (BA), if it is needed for your job
- A licence to practise, if your job is a regulated profession
Section 18b and Section 18(2) and (3) Residence Act (AufenthG)
Extra rule if you are 45 or olderFirst permit only
| Minimum gross salary a year55 % of the pension insurance contribution ceiling; 2026 figure | € 55,770 |
|---|---|
| Or proof of an adequate pension planthe authority can also make exceptions in some cases | Alternative |
This applies to the first permit, if you are 45 or older. The official figure is published every year, so check the current amount.
05
Steps and timing
- 01
Find a qualified job offer
You + employer · varies a lot
The offer must be for a job that fits your training or degree.
- 02
Check or start recognition
You + recognition office, ZAB or anabin · often several weeks or more
Find out which office is responsible for your profession. For a degree, check anabin or ask ZAB for a statement.
- 03
Licence to practise, if the job is regulated
You + competent authority · varies by profession and state
Nurses and some other professions need a licence before they can work in the job.
- 04
Approval from the Federal Employment Agency
Authorities · varies
In many cases the BA must agree to the job. The visa office usually asks for this.
- 05
Apply for the visa
You + German mission · waiting time varies by mission
Book your appointment early. Some missions take applications online.
Arrive and get your residence permit
You + local immigration office · varies by city
Register your address and pick up your residence permit. Then start work.
Time before you travelVaries; often a few months
Talk to our team06
Documents
- Passportvalid for the whole stay
- Biometric photos
- Application form and CV
- Work contract or binding job offer
- Job description from the employeroften on the form used for the BA
- Training certificate or degree with transcriptoriginals and copies; translation if required
- Recognition notice, comparability proof or statement of comparability
- Licence to practise or proof of applicationonly for regulated jobs
- Health insurance for the start of your stay
Your certificates need the right stamps. An apostille (an official confirmation stamp) or legalisation by the German mission: it depends on the country that issued them. See the rules for your country
07
Life in Germany
Up to 4 years
residence permit, shorter if your contract is shorter
Any qualified job
in your field, not only at one employer
Family
spouse and children can usually join you
Settle
path to permanent residence
08
Costs
| National visapaid at the German mission | € 75 |
|---|---|
| Residence permit in Germanyfirst permit, local immigration office | € 100 |
| Accelerated skilled worker procedurepaid by the employer, if used | € 411 |
| Recognition or ZAB statementpaid to the competent office | varies |
Official fees as of November 2026. They can change. Translations and certified copies cost extra.
09
Your future in Germany
A skilled worker permit is a good base. The time each step takes depends on your situation and on the law at that time.
- 01During your permit
Change employer
Possible in your field. Check with the immigration office whether you need to tell it.
- 02After some years
Permanent residence
Usually after 3 years of skilled work, and conditions such as pension payments and German language skills. Faster after German training or study.
- 03Later
Citizenship
Usually possible after several years of legal residence. Check the current rule.
10
Tips for a strong application
- Start recognition early. It often takes the longest and decides if you can start.
- Ask about the accelerated skilled worker procedure. Your employer can ask the immigration office to run the steps together.
- Check if your job is regulated. Nursing and some other jobs need a licence before you can begin.
- Keep names and dates consistent. Use the same details in the contract, certificates and forms.
- Send genuine, complete documents. Clear files are easier to decide.
11
Questions
The law for the permit itself does not ask for a language level. Your employer or your profession may. Regulated professions, such as nursing, usually need German for the licence.
You need a licence to use the title of registered nurse before you work in that role. It is issued by the competent state authority after your qualification is checked. Some people work in a different role first, if the rules allow it.
Under Section 81a AufenthG, your employer can ask the immigration office to run the steps together. This includes recognition, BA consent and the visa. The employer pays a fee of € 411. Not every employer uses it.
For most people, the job must be qualified and paid according to the rules for that job. If you are 45 or older and get a first permit, there is a minimum salary or proof of a pension plan.
Spouses and minor children can usually join you. The rules are explained in the family reunion guide. The accelerated procedure can include them if they apply at the same time.
You can work in qualified jobs in your field. If you change employer, keep the immigration office informed and check if you need a new approval.
For health and care jobs, only the Federal Employment Agency may recruit and place workers from certain countries (Section 38 Employment Ordinance). Check the current country list. We can only give you general information on this route.
Words on this page
- Qualified job
- A job that needs vocational training or a degree, like the one you have.
- Regulated profession
- A job where the law requires a licence, such as nursing or medicine.
- Recognition
- A German office compares your qualification with the German one.
- BA
- The Federal Employment Agency. It agrees to your job in many cases.
Routes to Germany
Related routes
Work experience route
If recognition in Germany is not possible.
Work experience route: Read the guideAbout DastN
Placement and relocation from Berlin
DastN GmbH is a placement and relocation company in Berlin. We connect skilled people with employers in Germany and help with the steps on the way.
DastN GmbH
Kurfürstendamm 194, 10707 Berlin
HRB 230821 B
Founded in Berlin in 2021
Sources
- Residence Act (AufenthG), Section 18: skilled worker rules, gesetze-im-internet.de
- Residence Act (AufenthG), Section 18a: skilled workers with vocational training
- Residence Act (AufenthG), Section 18b: skilled workers with academic training
- Residence Act (AufenthG), Section 81a: accelerated skilled worker procedure
- Make it in Germany: Skilled worker visa (Federal Government portal)
- Recognition in Germany (Federal portal)
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We prepare every step carefully; the decisions are issued by the competent authorities.