Applying for a residence permit to carry out a qualification measure with employment

The residence permit must be applied for at the foreigners authority responsible for your place of residence. If your place of residence is abroad, please contact the German diplomatic mission abroad. The procedure is as follows:

• Depending on the foreigners authority and your request, it may be possible to apply via the Internet. Find out whether your foreigners authority offers electronic applications for residence permits.
• If you can only apply in person, make an appointment with the immigration office. During the appointment, your application will be accepted and your supporting documents checked (bring these with you to the appointment). Your fingerprints will be taken for the production of an electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• In the case of an electronic application, the Immigration Office will contact you after receiving your online application to arrange an appointment at the Immigration Office if necessary. During the appointment, your documents will be checked (bring them with you to the appointment) and your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• If your application is approved, the Foreigners' Registration Office will arrange for the eAT card to be issued.
• After about six to eight weeks, you can collect the eAT card from the immigration office.
• The eAT card must always be collected in person.

Fees are charged for the issue of the residence permit. The time and form of payment vary depending on the authority.

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence

• You have a recognized and valid passport or passport substitute and, if required for entry, an appropriate visa.
• There is no interest in deporting you.
• Your stay does not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• The body responsible for recognizing your professional qualification in Germany has issued a decision stating that you lack the practical or theoretical knowledge or skills required to achieve full equivalence and that adaptation, compensatory measures or further qualifications are required to establish the equivalence of your foreign professional qualification with a domestic professional qualification.
  If you intend to work in a regulated profession, it must be clear from the notification that the adaptation or compensation measures are necessary for the issue of the professional license.
• You have successfully registered for a corresponding qualification measure.
• The qualification measure is suitable for enabling recognition of the professional qualification or access to the profession.
• You have German language skills appropriate to the qualification measure (usually at least German language skills at level A2).
• You can submit a concrete job offer for subsequent employment after obtaining full recognition as well as a concrete job offer for the intended employment during the recognition procedure.
• The intended activity is related to the professional knowledge required in the subsequent employment.
• The Federal Employment Agency has approved the employment.
  Approval is usually obtained from the foreigners authority.
• You can secure your livelihood and health insurance cover without claiming public benefits.
• For regulated professions, a license to practice the profession must be granted or approved if this is required.

• Valid passport
• Current biometric photo
• Visa, if required
• Deficit notice from the recognition office
• Proof of German language skills appropriate to the qualification measure (usually at least sufficient German language skills at level A 2)
• Evidence of the intended qualification measure, further training plan if applicable
• Concrete job offer for subsequent employment after obtaining full recognition
• Concrete job offer for planned employment during the recognition procedure (proof by submitting the declaration of employment, see "Further information")
• Proof of livelihood
• Tenancy agreement
• Proof of your health insurance
• Professional license, if applicable

Issuing a residence permit: EUR 100.00

Under certain conditions, a fee reduction or fee exemption may be possible

• You should apply for a residence permit at least eight weeks before your valid visa expires.
• Objection period: 1 month

about six to eight weeks.

§ Section 16d (2) AufenthG

• § Section 16d (1) Residence Act (AufenthG)

• Forms: Forms can be obtained from your foreigners authority; these may also be available online
• Online procedure occasionally possible
• Written form required: yes
• Personal appearance required: yes

04.11.2020